Have we always been like this?

I wonder we have always had fanatics throughout human history? Has it gotten better since the middle ages? Have we really improved and more tolerant towards other religions like we say we are? Or has it gotten worse?

I read what Ann Coutler said today about how and why America should be a Christian nation and above questions came to my mind. I, for one, have always wanted to believe that we have gotten more tolerant towards other religions. But I don't know that is the case. It is sad at this age and time when a lot of us are educated we still condemn others' beliefs that are different from ours.

At this I think how are these people different from Nazis. And don't tell me they acted on it and a lot of people who think this way never act on it. Actions spring from the thoughts and beliefs. And all it takes is one person to spring to some action and rest follow.

The White Elephant in the Room!

This is my first attempt ever at online Blog. So I guess I should introduce myself. I am Ganesh. I live in California, work in software Industry. All right, I guess that's enough for now.

Something I read this morning infuriated me so much so that I wanted to write on it immediately. I got myself a Blog account. And here I am, World ;-)

I am talking about the fury caused by the kiss between Shilpa Shetty and Richard Gere. Some have filed complaints. Some are burning Gere's effigies. All because some (yes, some not all. a very small minority I hope) people in India think it is not Indian culture!

People! Are you on your right minds? A kiss? A public kiss is a problem in a country which has highest number of AIDS patients than any other country in the world! You are complaining about the ant in the room (I think this ant is benevolent) while the white elephant sitting in the room is going unnoticed! If you really want to chastise Indian culture then go after the truck drivers that are married but still go to red light districts and get HIV and pass it on to their innocent wives and kids. Is that acceptable in Indian culture?

I do not even want to talk about other issues/things that happened recently because, while I think they say poorly about Indian culture, they mask the issue at hand.

People, we know what happens when religion borders on fanatism. We have examples happening around us every day. Let's not contribute some more to this. World is a bad place already. Also, to me it seems like a lot of this is done by young college students backed by politicians. Grass root politics and activism are great but we should think for ourselves and not blindly follow whatever is coming to us from politicians above.

So, people grow up! If you wanna take up real issues, there is no dearth of them in India.

A very disheartened,
Ganesh.