Readers' Forum
“Idol worship”
"Idol worship”
I read Diana Patell’s views in "Idol worship” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, November 21, 2013) and do not agree with her when she says we are not good citizens of India. Who, according to her are better citizens: Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or Jews? I was not aware that they work towards the betterment of India, putting the country above their religion. What really makes her think so? Why would there be so many riots if the country was their priority above religion?
Regarding prayers, who can stop a non-Zoroastrian from picking up a copy of the Avesta and praying? It is a matter of faith. If our children are given guidance and faith is inculcated in them, they would definitely pray to Ahura Mazda and the Yazads. We are to blame for not inculcating this. Why are we so bitter and ashamed of our religious tenets and practices? A Muslim proudly says his namaz, a Hindu does his aarti, Christians recite their rosary. What is wrong in doing our kusti? As regards terming the prayers "gobbledegook,” we can always read the meanings of the prayers, if we wish to know them, and can even have a private dialog with Ahura Mazda. Who can stop us from doing so? Besides, how many are fluent in Arabic, Latin, Sanskrit and understand every word of the religious texts? Regarding restriction of entry into agiaries, I guess it was because the Arabs defiled the sacred atash in our dadgahs and agiaries. Are non-Muslims permitted to visit the Kaaba? I was not permitted to even set my foot down on the tarmac when I took a Haj charter.
Only if we stop seeing the negative aspect in all things and work unitedly to increase love, respect and faith in our young ones will things improve. Arguments such as Patell’s take them further away from our religion. The need of the day is to consider where these petty differences are leading us. Instead of inculcating faith in the youngsters, we are destroying it. What do we gain by doing this?
Patell writes sarcastically: "Thou shall not inter-marry because how can you defile yourself?” How many children of girls who have married outside the faith are real Zarthoshtis? How many fathers are ready to convert these to our faith, especially if they will not be entitled to the benefits of our charities? Has anyone really worked out the figures? It is indeed easy to make comments; but how many such children would be worthy Zarthoshtis?
Let us work together to increase our faith and population, not work against it. Let us overcome such bitterness and make a loving start to increase our fold — with those who love and respect this great religion of ours.
I read Diana Patell’s views in "Idol worship” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, November 21, 2013) and do not agree with her when she says we are not good citizens of India. Who, according to her are better citizens: Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or Jews? I was not aware that they work towards the betterment of India, putting the country above their religion. What really makes her think so? Why would there be so many riots if the country was their priority above religion?
Regarding prayers, who can stop a non-Zoroastrian from picking up a copy of the Avesta and praying? It is a matter of faith. If our children are given guidance and faith is inculcated in them, they would definitely pray to Ahura Mazda and the Yazads. We are to blame for not inculcating this. Why are we so bitter and ashamed of our religious tenets and practices? A Muslim proudly says his namaz, a Hindu does his aarti, Christians recite their rosary. What is wrong in doing our kusti? As regards terming the prayers "gobbledegook,” we can always read the meanings of the prayers, if we wish to know them, and can even have a private dialog with Ahura Mazda. Who can stop us from doing so? Besides, how many are fluent in Arabic, Latin, Sanskrit and understand every word of the religious texts? Regarding restriction of entry into agiaries, I guess it was because the Arabs defiled the sacred atash in our dadgahs and agiaries. Are non-Muslims permitted to visit the Kaaba? I was not permitted to even set my foot down on the tarmac when I took a Haj charter.
Only if we stop seeing the negative aspect in all things and work unitedly to increase love, respect and faith in our young ones will things improve. Arguments such as Patell’s take them further away from our religion. The need of the day is to consider where these petty differences are leading us. Instead of inculcating faith in the youngsters, we are destroying it. What do we gain by doing this?
Patell writes sarcastically: "Thou shall not inter-marry because how can you defile yourself?” How many children of girls who have married outside the faith are real Zarthoshtis? How many fathers are ready to convert these to our faith, especially if they will not be entitled to the benefits of our charities? Has anyone really worked out the figures? It is indeed easy to make comments; but how many such children would be worthy Zarthoshtis?
Let us work together to increase our faith and population, not work against it. Let us overcome such bitterness and make a loving start to increase our fold — with those who love and respect this great religion of ours.
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