This was really one big fat Indian wedding. And it had all the masala you get to see in a Bollywood flick. Pain, Comedy, Tears, Joy and what not. The girl is from a Hindu background while the boy is from a traditional Christian family which proudly traces its roots to St Thomas who first landed the shores of Kerala. Well if you asked me my stand on interfaith marriage, you would probably hear a big NO! Is it because interfaith marriages are still considered a stigma in Indian society? Not really, its just because I see many interfaith marriages going down the drain after the initial rapturous devotedness. I have always recommended friends against it, cuz sometime later regret creeps in for all the misadventures….not always though.

Anyways, who knew I would have to witness a cross religion marriage within my family. My brother wedded his heartthrob at a unique ceremony that you could say was embroiled in some sort of “holy” mess. It was after a lot of convincing that the family agreed for their union. Unlike the UK, US or even China, such marriages in India are often regular although is considered a taboo.

Well, you cant talk religion to two lovers who are so filled with ecstasy. They could turn you into an atheist by their philosophical questions. “Isnt God love? Why should religion come in between? Marriage is sacred. We are first humans and then Christian/Hindu. Life is to live.” The list goes on. I now understand the saying love is blind better. I am really not as philosophical as my brother, kinda fall in the ‘dumbers’ category. That is why may be I had questions like. Will we have a church wedding or a mixed wedding? Who will bless the marriage? What will they call their son…wait this is gender discrimination! so lets visualise a female..what will they call their daughter? Mary or Seetha? or may be even something neutral like Janet or Sweety could do? To which God will they pray during the family prayer (this is a must for most families in/from Kerala)? Officially what religion will the child be associated with? and a lot of other questions.

When elders of family intervene and warn against such unions, our youngsters hardly care. And you have these modern love gurus who write columns saying understanding and compatibility is all you need, encouraging families to consider interfaith marriages. I dont really buy these talks as I dont see how a “marriage made in heaven” as often written on wedding cards can be successful without considering faith paramount for marital bliss. The least these love gurus could do is create websites and forums encouraging interfaith marriage, but would be great if they drop their personal emails on the forums so couples could reach them when life hits the hard rock!

Without question…when persons of two religions decide to get married, they open a Pandora’s box. Forget the loss of reputation, cultural differences and societal norms that families often think during such unions. But what about the differences in faith, ideals and practices. It is not a minor hump to ignore. Faith is a significant component for a long-lasting union. As the old adage goes “the family who prays together stays together”.

I have been myself a witness to many interfaith marriages which after the initial outpour of passion start to experience confusion and pain. Not only do they deviate from God, their children also have no faith or religion to follow. Please dont listen to those shackle-the-chains-of-religion talks. These inspirational gurus never have married out of their religion, serious, check if you want. All couples go through the rough road…a lonely road…when nobody seems to be around. That is where the role of God and one’s faith come to work.

In fact experience has shown that interreligious marriages fail at more than three times the rate of marriages where couples share the same faith. But not always that can be the case…sometimes there has been compromises, conversions and a good ending. My bro’s case made me realise the pain and depression families across India face when a couple decide love is all they need and nothing else matters. Well time can only say what matters and what doesnt.

Ok enough, my lovely bro must be reading this..poor chap..lets give him a break. Interestingly, one pastor was quoting 2 Corinthians 6:14 to warn my bro on his wedding. But excuse me…my bro anyways is not a church-going Christian, so should he really care for the verse? Uff..it took me a lot of time to digest their coming together, but then marriage is sacred yet beautiful. Let me for now just look at it as two souls coming together. I do believe love is the manifestation of God, but then the other way, even sometimes church-going Christians dont really follow the book, as for them love is always in the air and not in practice. So what do you expect the secular generation to follow?

Everything seems to have ended fine…the girl is happy, bro is ecstatic (obviously he got that dowry..or whatever you call it) and family seems to have overcome the discomfort. Well, I am not that a very less understanding person you see. When my brother broke the news of his marriage over phone, there were some initial admonitions from my side but after that I did support and speak on his behalf to my really tradionalist family. Dude you owe me! Cmon guys, after all he is my brother, could I have ignored his happiness. What if the lack of support from family turns him into a Greek thinker with big beard..I will have to then look for him in the Himalayan mountains where he has gone in search of peace and tranquillity. Really, you could go any extent to see your dear ones’ happiness. Yea bro, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, your sweetheart will be there, but a mile ahead or wait..a mile behind..I might be there (don’t forget the bribe)..just to give you those harsh warnings and those sweet fixes. For now my advice for your successful marriage is: do the dishes, talk less and lose weight (source: spousonomics ). So guys, that’s the end of the story. What? Did I hear a question? The secret of a happy marriage? umm..well friends, like the comedian Henry Youngman would put it..the secret of a happy marriage remains a secret!

Adios ~

Several Christian pastors, including from India have gone on TV declaring how their prophesy came true. They are now marketing their ministry on Youtube with clips of their prophesy on a great catastrophic disaster to strike Japan.

This one pastor was speaking to a large crowd over TV saying “God had revealed this. They were doomed to die for their sins.” I could hear people cheering all his half-baked lines that were delivered like a dialogue in a movie.

The recent earthquake in Japan have left 13, 392 people dead and 15,133 others unaccounted. About 139,000 survivors are staying in 2,300 shelters across the country. Makes me wonder how our preachers could use such an event for cheap marketing of their ministry despite the suffering resulting from the disaster being incomprehensible.

Well, not that I hate prophesies. But at this time of pain it is comfort what people need. May be if God had revealed them about the impending disaster they should have taken a flight…gone to Japan and announced it on TV. At least some lives could have been saved. But doing nothing to help the situation and besmirching and bringing disgrace to God by such cheap antics is very unpleasant.

The pastor takes verses from here and there, substantiates his prophesy, and makes it sound relevant. It is very dangerous when someone delivers Scriptures like he needs, whenever and wherever he wants. I think that is why it is important for a preacher to live a life of example. It is so scary when someone stands on a precious place, holds the Bible and speaks as a representative of God while leading a mucky life in the backdrop. The same preachers I have seen on TV before…but not on a Gospel program…but a news piece on swindling and corruption charges.

However, am so grateful many good Revs opened their Bible..and at least for once..in a graceful manner began to comfort the heartbroken and grieving. Many who did not believe in God consequently did a U-Turn. I really hope we can see more TV programs that encourage people to pray for those affected by the Tsunami. People in Japan are going through one of the most difficult times…at this juncture only God could comfort them..May be if we put ourselves in their shoes, we might grasp the scene better. For me, personally, this event is another reminder of how small we are in this world. In a fraction of second your entire world of money, wealth, fame and everything you have earned might go upside down. Better to have God than none of those that can be so temporary…after all we are just travelers in this world…like this chapter in Bible.

Pray God comforts those going through such an ordeal in Japan!

Adios ~

If you dint know, the most difficult part of talking in an audience full of bishops and church leaders is diffusing the very Christ principles which they claim to stand for. I was asked to talk on the role of networking and communications during violence juxtaposing what happened during that massacre in Orissa. Frankly, that is the only incident that I have closely watched and written from the beginning to the end. Perceivably, Church has just been a silent spectator even as saffron extremists went on a rampage killing and burning thousands of Christian homes. The violence was fuelled by jealousy, hate and anger against Christians, mainly against tribals who converted to Christianity and who prospered with the help of missioners who provided them with education, healthcare and jobs.

This incident was one of the largest anti-Christian violence ever since India became a republic. Three years after the violence, there are thousands still homeless and without jobs. Is our Church here poor to take care of its own people…waiting for government compensations? Absolutely not! If you dint know, the Church here is the second largest employer after the Government of India. We have some of the best institutions, hospitals, and job centers that generate huge sums of money which if used rightly can empower these weak Christians. At least 70% of India’s Christians come from the lower strata of the society.

And here we are holding a deliberation, three years after the incident. The deliberation is to “study” the aftermath and to take measures to aid the suffering. Is there any need for “information”? I dint see any…there was only lack of action for which the message of Christ must be brought back to life. I did the same, rather than beating around the bush with abstract, chimerical and theoretical points that will remain on a paper what they “final statement”, I spoke on the need to not just empathise but to act on their problems…to do what just Christ would have done. What point in these bishops wearing a big cross in the front instead of carrying the same on their back. What is very funny is the last photo shoot…they are super excited about it. People who have done nothing for the issue, sitting with their legs crossed and staring at the camera. This picture travels from India to Antartica! Shameless..that is what you ought to call them. Not an iota of guilt of having done nothing, yet being in the limelight. You should read my last post, if you missed it. Read here.

I was shocked and pained as the response of my paper was largely discouraging. Truth sure is bitter to the ear. Gandhi once said: “Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth.” I might have won more foes than friends, but I returned home with the thought that I goaded our leaders to act.

Love this my favourite Maya Angelou’s quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” How true friends. Finally what matters is, what impact you have made on the suffering and how they think about you.

Concludingly, the trip to this volatile region will hereon remain in my mind, bringing me memories of witnessing those that stood for their faith in times of harsh persecution; those that went hiding in the jungles but not renouncing their faith to protect their livelihood; of those that forgave their oppressors and continues to emulate the life of the first disciples. I know, I can’t be one of them who the Bible calls “Blessed”.  You need great faith to undergo such terrible oppression. May God Bless Them!

Was attending the Church last week when I chanced upon a thought for the day at the bottom of the service sheet. It said: “He became what we are that He might make us what He is”. That line I thought beautifully illuminated the birth of Christ amidst all the celebrations for Christmas.

A King took the form of a man, came into the world in a humble manner, became one of us, donned the role of a servant “to serve and not to be served”, empathised with the poor and suffering, and died on the cross to “give his life as a ransom for many”. And everything that he practised and taught was of love. Isn’t love the very reason God came to man.

Like every year, Christmas again looks or has been given that picture of a commercial event with cakes, shopping and presents. The message of servanthood and God stopping so low in humility to draw us close to Him seems to have been forgotten. Christ birth reminds us again that God is not distant and alien but is close…there is no room for fear. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people,” is what the angel told the shepherds.

Did I mention what the pastor preached during that service last week? The sermon very uncommonly picked two characters from Luke 2 which preachers rarely talk on during Christmas. One is Simeon who was waiting in anticipation for the birth of Christ. With prayer and praise, he waited for the birth. The second was a widow woman Anna who “never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” for that great event in history. Times have sure changed. The kind of celebration then during the birth of Christ and now for Christmas seems so contrastive. What kind of celebration does this King born in a humble cot made of straw need? Nothing better than knowing and being one like Him.

Wishing you all a super Christmas and an awesome 2011!

Adios ~

Indian tribes constitute roughly 8 percent of the nation’s total population, nearly 68 million people according to the 1991 census. They form the largest concentration of tribal population in the world. There are some 573 communities recognized by the government as Scheduled Tribes and therefore eligible to receive special benefits. Not many have however benefited from government policies. Exploitation and abuse is still an integral part of their life. Everybody exploits their vulnerability – the government, politicians, so called activists, landlords, upper castes and sometimes even the Christians. This is the other side of India which our government has pushed under the carpet. And guess what? The govt. is busy fighting the Maoists who are with ease drawing tribals to join their destructive path. If due importance were given to the tribals, we would not have had the Maoist menace. The tribal problems – illiteracy, poverty, malnutrition, starvation continue to be high. More than 15 per cent of the 84 million tribals have been displaced due to govt development projects such as dams, industries and mines. The worst part is these victims have never been rehabilitated.

Land alienation, exploitation by non-tribal groups, loss of control over natural resources, economic exploitation, lack of infrastructure, deforestation and what not. Should it surprise us that even govt work hand in glove with mining companies like Vedanta in Niyamgiri? Forget about govt, should it surprise us that the parent body of a protestant denomination  itself had millions stake in the mining project of Vedanta Resources. Their very own activists unaware of corruption and greed within their own organisation clamor for “human rights” for the weak and oppressed in tribal areas. When the UK-based Vedanta by billionaire chairman Anil Agarwal aimed to set up an alumina refinery by destroying the region’s ecosystem and threatening the future of the 8,000 strong Kondh tribe, very few in the Christian circles knew that the Church of England had over 4.1 million dollars stake in the alumina refinery project. When the issue came to spotlight, it was a tough question to me. Should I write about the Church’s unethical investment being a Christian myself and being around in the circles of people from that denomination? I was confused whose side I should take. Being fully aware that it is a serious human rights issue, I went ahead and wrote a story mentioning the church’s investment and the criticism surrounding it. As I presaged, the article made church people and pastors displeased and enraged. Won me foes, but fortunately I did the right thing and the result was evident. Within days, the Church’s ethical investment group met and decided to withdraw its investment. They were the first to withdraw!

So…the question is how morally conscious is the Church on its own demeanour. How much of an impact have they made for the oppressed and suppressed? Indubitably, missionaries and the Church have brought light and life and freedom to thousands of tribals, giving them good healthcare, education, jobs. But that time of passion and love to serve God has gone. With less disciplined and dedicated missioners, I doubt how far a Christian impact can be brought. Look at our bishops and those precious working in social organisations. Have they lived a life worthy of their calling? Claiming to be working for the poor, they have themselves looted God’s money. Why blame them…they dont realise where the money comes from. Thousands like the poor widow’s offering in Bible have emptied themselves despite their poverty, but still doing cuz of the scriptural and spiritual inspiration. They have given from their blood and tears. And this money is squandered for lavish stays, flights, food and other major expenditures. Would they do the same if it was spending from their own money? Nah…they would do it prudently! And they are our newest liberators! Leading an austere life is prerequisite for people working in churches and Christian NGOs. They are to be a torchbearer for generations to come. Sure, someday they are to give an account of their tasks and responsibilities.

As the conference I attended concluded, I was ruminating how mundane these meetings have become. They come together; talk highly of things they are going to do; make an astonishing statement with full of jawbreaking words, ideas and plans; finally they declare a new forum xyz to be created to address the issues at hand. Heartbreaking, what else? The organiser spent lakhs just for travel. At the end of the day, it seemed to me, it was another socialising party…you make new friends and eat great food. Other than making pretty statements, nothing practical came out of the meeting. Not just here, its the same at most of the meets. All they care is declaring loudly on their reports and statements on things they have never done. It is all about the numbers with full of exaggerations…the real victims continue to suffer. For anything substantial in the life of tribals, we sure need a paradigm shift that replaces our priorities. And it should start from ME. Like this writer once said: “We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own. That change starts with repentance. The Bible says – “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.”

Adios ~

Sometimes we dont really realise how lucky we are to be in a country that has freedom of religion enshrined in its Constitution. Sample the case of Bibi. For the first time in history, Pakistan has sentenced to death a Christian woman for blasphemy. Blasphemy? For us it might be very alien, but for those minuscule groups there it is a noxious term.

Some of the women workers had been putting her under pressure to renounce her Christian faith and accept Islam. On June 19, 2009, the women pressed Asia about Islam. She responded by sharing with them about her faith in Christ. She spoke of how Jesus Christ had died on the cross for their sins and then asked them what Mohammed had done for them.

What an audacious statement. I have seen people here in India feeling embarrassed to share about their faith. I am still put in a state of discomposure when I have to share with my friends my joy of serving God. Indeed we need people like Bibi to inspire us. Its a very thoughtful response she gave speaking on how Christ died for the sins of humanity, and for which reason she worships Him.

There has been scores of violence on Christians on allegations of blasphemy. The Blasphemy Act 1986 has been used as a pretext to attack minorities. According to Pakistan Penal code “Use of derogatory remarks, etc in respect of the Holy Prophet; whoever by words, either spoken or written or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Mohammed shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.” Did you read that? Aint we blessed to live in India?

If we had 10 Bibi’s in churches and faith-based organisations, imagine what it could render. Signing off with this beautiful quote by an American theologian: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Adios ~

It is a very arduous task for any religious leader to talk about “dialogue” in a country like India. How could anyone possibly elucidate “dialogue” of faiths in a cultural setting like that of India where there is so much diversity among faiths? All major religions co-exist. Anyone could trigger tension by making partisan statements. The Archbishop while not denying that one must listen to the voices of other faiths, he very wittily said, “dialogue for me is the recognition of the serious”. Brilliant, what say? Find anything inciting trouble? In fact I still struggle to opine on what “dialogue” means without fomenting hatred and at the same time not watering down my Christian conviction. A very gargantuan task especially knowing the fact that charismatic groups have been enraging Hindus by claiming the superiority of their faith.

Huh…what did I want to write about? Not the Archbishop..ah! It was something else. A major mission conference was arranged with the Archbishop’s coming to discuss on the future of Christian mission in India. I had the privilege to be part of it…mind you, am surrounded by top theologians, heads of leading orgs..etc. After the Conf., I had a strong inkling of how we would soon appear like many countries in the West which are struggling with atheism, especially Britain. Shockingly, none of them spoke about augmenting Christian mission, but rather it was irrelevant lectures on inter-faith unity. It was not to the mark of my expectation. Among these theologians however was a missiologist from Europe who very boldly criticised Christians who water down faith and pointed the need to proclaim Christ. I was pretty impressed.

Later, that evening, I came home and did a little googling on the person and was so jolted by what I read. I verified his name, background and everything…it was the same person. It was a story published four years back. The  preacher allegedly carried out an armed bank robbery to make up the shortfall in his finances. As I kept reading, I was too shocked by his behaviour to mask himself and rob a bank. He fled with some €3,000 but was later caught. He regrets about it…well that is anyways past. We all have a bad past. What really hit me was the fact that even preachers and theologians could indulge in such nonsense due to lack of money. I should confess how numerous times I went reeling over the very thought of surviving after tomorrow. You start backsliding and embrace feelings of identity crisis. While smart pastors have been earning millions through ingenious and ungodly ways, including selling their tapes with Gospel, few others who genuinely intend to do mission, become victims of such suicidal behaviour.

The incident really made me think of those thousands across the world, doing mission in unknown lands, struggling for food and shelter. How trying it must be. While bad people are exploiting Christianity, there are many out there wholeheartedly committed to bring change in others lives. At times like this when commercialism is making good use of people’s vulnerability with tempting products, one could only gain strength by the life of Jesus who constantly did the will of God and conquered hearts with no wealth, money or status. French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the greatest military commanders in Europe, had this to say about Jesus. “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.” The least we could do is pray…to pray for strength to such people to live a life of joy and not regrets.

I am starting to hate those involved in the ecumenical movement. Despite knowing well the hardships faced by Dalits, they continue to hold so called deliberation to bring out a past statement in a fresh form. As if they discovered something new. The content is just the same. They spend lakhs of rupees just for conferences, eating and all the extravagant lifestyle, including cozy hotels and costly flights. Their flagitious demeanor and lack of morality sometimes makes me wonder if they are the oppressor or the liberator. Sample this: There was this eloquent, brilliant theologian whom I highly regarded for his thoughts and contributions. He even co-authored a book on dalits that was launched in the conference. At an evening reception, he was desperately seeking for cigarettes. I shook my head in disbelief as he went asking for places where he could buy one. Is this common? I mean among church leaders and theologians who are supposed to inspire and be an example for the young who will be the future of mission in India? Are these the people going to liberate dalits?

An utter waste. Now I am seriously starting to hate these conferences. Thanks to a wonderful sermon by a Bishop highly respected in the South for his words and action (read here). Also thanks to another gentleman who almost brought me to tears on the plights of 13 lakh dalits engaged in manual scavenging, carrying human excreta by their hands. Are they foreordained to do such jobs? Where are the NGOs and Christian human rights groups who are supposed to voice for these people. Personally, I believe, instead of all these conferences, deliberations and brainstorming, church must retrospect by starting to live the GOSPEL. Jesus only taught in simple language, but theologians havecomplicated it by ignoring the crux of the Gospel. Instead of living a life worthy of the calling, they have begun to emulate the fallen world.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, can bring vigor to the lives of dalits other than Christ. Hence Gospel must be treated with great importance to deal with this case. Money, jobs, houses, would only be temporary.

Silence, they say, is the most powerful scream. As the oft-quoted proverb goes, silence is a true friend that never betrays..the best answer to anger..a fence around wisdom..a secret to sanity and a medicine for healing. Who would not want to shout to the top when faced with perplexities? But opting to be silent at such times is mature.  At least lessons in life have taught me that.

Not few, but most times we face contradictions, friction and absurdities. We loose our hold. For me, the answer to all these puzzles, at least for sometime..lies in Silence. And obviously silence comes at a cost of “hearing”.

Sometimes you are so helpless…helpless when facts turn fiction, truth to lie and love to hatred. The truth is…man cannot be constant without God. And you fit the bandwagon of theirs only when you are alike in nature..so full of exaggerations and viciousness. They like it more. They like it when you masquerade yourself. They like it when you agree to agree, and flatter when to chide.

People are sure full of surprises. At times I find myself lost, speechless to counter and coward to disagree. Silence with patient hearing helps…it helps to clear the stains on the window that shows what is down the horizon…what is true and eternal. I love this quote of Mother Teresa: “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls”. Without question, we need such times of silence to weed out evil..calm our hearts..and seek greater comfort.

True, the world is wicked to the good, and good to the wicked.  Myself was recently dumbfounded when I got to hear things about me that seemed so alien to me, things that I would not even have dreamt even if I were an 80s villain. Not that I don’t acknowledge my mistakes, but when you know for sure its spurious…you tend to feel somber and low-spirited.

They are all there…and mostly they tell you things that they never do. We all go through that phase…in office..church…homes..totally misinterpreted and nailed..Obviously, we want to shout out loud, and let others know we are not vile and immoral…but does it really work? May be it is better to supppppp…and move on with another ‘lesson’ in life..

I think am being too philosophical, hate that. After all whom do I have other than my good sweet ‘indianiser’ to listen without arguing? (Did have my loving dog Jimmy..who loved me despite me deliberately pushing it down from a floor. It is such a lovable creature. It’s heart of love and faithfulness to its master is matchless”) Anyways, incidents in life teach me to be a good listener…correct where it feels and ignore where it needs. Knowledge speaks..wisdom hears. Remember that! There are no angels around. It is a cruel world where it is an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. Might result in the entire world going blind, but may be it is better to live that way? Nobody seem to care about morality and conscience. Sometimes being naive makes you only a victim of posinous lies that deflect and undermine your goodness.

Whatever the lesson is…dont forget to embrace the power of silence. It is a great teacher and comforter. As a result, some might even call you very reserved, living a mysterious…shell life and stuffs, but dont care. Never expect  ‘understanding’ from people around..it might not be everlasting. Expect it from God..at least from people who love God. That is more serious.  Ok..done with philosophies…am so poor at this. I had major internet issues both at office and home that disconnected me totally from my blog. To write….you need great amount of patience…things have been quite topsy-turvy that I lost interest. Getting back despite loads of work, so strap on.

This week’s hasty press releases and statements made me recollect a similar incident in August 2008 when a Hindu seer was brutally murdered by the Maoists. Without delay, Christians tooth and nail denied any involvement in the murder. But would the ‘illiterate’, easily ‘incited’, jingoistic fringe groups believe? Following that assassination, a series of anti-Christian pogroms resulted in the death of hundreds and the displacement of over 50,000 poor Christians from their homes. Terry Jones might have never apprehended a danger in his public anger against Islam. Thanks to Iran’s Press TV that aired scenes of some unknown pastors burning the Koran which apparently agitated the Muslims who went on a rampage destroying schools and churches.

Jones told reporters Islam is a “false religion” that is “of the devil” and therefore must be defeated. Did I mention he is from the Pentecostal denomination? So such tirade doesnt come as a surprise to me. Pentecostals are too blinded, misconstruing the Scriptures and revealing an holier-than-thou attitude. They indeed have a lesson to learn from the Ecumenicals who emphasize on inter-faith harmony and peace. Jones might claim it is his constitutional right to burn the Koran. He probably forgets the number of Americans in the Muslim countries, and how his erratic behaviour and potshots at Islam could jeopardise the peace of his own people. Just like Islam has in it an extremist form, among Christians we see fundamentalism within denominations on rise, should we rather call it ‘fanaticism’?

It is absolutely shocking to me how the Koran burning incident and quotes of lilliputian preachers like Jones can grab the attention of the entire world. Media partly is to be blamed for making the news a sensation while ignoring the voices of mature and spiritual leaders. How right is the Bible saying this: “The stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword; but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.” Let us hope the words of Jones don’t stoke further violence. Truly, a lesson for all of us. By the way, William (Will) has written a great article you could read here. Signing off for now!

Adios ~