Tuesday, December 23, 2014

A temple to Nathuram Godse?

India is truly an amazing country. Mahatma Gandhi has been appreciated for his values of truth and non-violence all over the world. He has inspired peaceful movements in several countries. In India, he is called 'The father of the nation'.
Yet according to news reports, the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, will be erecting a temple to Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 1948. They have acquired land for this purpose in Para village, in Sidhauli, in Sitapur District of Uttar Pradesh. The urn containing Godse's ashes will be placed here and worshipped!
What is the aim of this temple? What values are being promoted here? That Godse is greater than Gandhi? That assassinations and assassins are to be honoured? And does the government have no say in this? Can anyone erect a temple anywhere to any person?
Where are we headed?

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Pope Francis--and another fake quote

On facebook and the web, this quote below is shared thousands of times. But is it correct?

'It is not necessary to believe in God to be a good person. In a way, the traditional notion of God is outdated. One can be spiritual but not religious. It is not necessary to go to church and give money — for many, nature can be a church. Some of the best people in history do not believe in God, while some of the worst deeds were done in His name.'
There is no record of Pope Francis actually saying this. He did say something about doing good whether one believed in god or not, but as far as I know, did not use the above words.