I have been following this for some time and have a different perspective about it.
We have been focussing on Guruvayoor and specifically the punyaham done following the visit of a person, who is known to have been born to a non-Hindu.
If you look at it, there are several temples in Kerala which have, perhaps stricter rules. Allowing only dhotis and sarees is one. Not allowing shirts is another. Not allowing ladies (in the age group 5-50) in Sabarimala is another. I could go on about this, but this serves to illustrate.
Many of these are traditions and they have been there since time immemorial.
It is not fair to expect these to be changed overnight. It also does not make sense to view Guruvayoor case in isolation.
A re-examination of all such traditions as it exists today for relevance is required.
It is one thing to say, you don't have to be born a Hindu to be a Hindu. Does Christianity allow you to call yourself a Christian if you just chose to believe it. I don't think so. You would need to "convert" to Christianity, if you need to use the facilities and services of the Church.
Is there a way for a non-Hindu to convert to Hinduism? I don't know. If so, then that's probably the safest way to proclaim one as Hindu. This will also stand up to legal strutiny.
To which religion does the child who is born of a Hindu father and Christian mother belong? I don't know the answer.
As the rules and tradition exists today, being a Hindu by birth is a pre-requisite to being al
RE:Guruvayur controversy
by ems nnn on Jun 14, 2007 07:56 PM Permalink
Any Mlechcha(non Hindu) can become a Shudra(hindu) Indo European Scythians or Sakas(Kushans are a sub tribe of Saka) ,Greeks,Persians and Turkic Huns,Jhanjhars all became shudras and OBCs in the past.
To become Brahmin he can perform penance and austerities(Tapasya) and get Brahma the creator's acknowledgement
RE:Guruvayur controversy
by on Jun 27, 2007 05:46 AM Permalink
The Chief priest in the rediff interview has mentioned that one could go to the Arya Samaj office and get the certificate which proclaims one to be hindu.
