Holy Wars!

zackv · June 13, 2004

The "very offensive" threads have put into one neat little package everything that depresses me about religion (remember that I said religion, and not spirituality!).

First, we have the Muslim, who comes and declares that he knows the Only True God and that is actually "hurtful" to the worshippers of this God that people have different beliefs.

This Muslim speaks the same words that are spoken against him by the Christians who say, "Allah is a false moon-god, and those who worship this false 'God' are condemned to hell for denying the Only True Salvation, Jesus Christ."

I'm sure that Ahmed is upset by that statement, so why does he toss it at others? Doesn't he know better by now that everyone is in a different state of mind and that spiritual paths apply in different ways to different people?

Then we have a devotee who comes in and claims that Ahmed only knows "but a spark" of the One True God, Krishna, and that his religion is only for the wicked, and is therefore lesser and shameful. This devotee, of course, has just been condemned by Ahmed in the same mentality.

What is wrong with you???

I'm just going to let KRS-One do the talking:

"I'm not a Muslim, but I support them

My father in Heaven taught me and taught them

I'm not a Christian, but I won't diss 'em

I'm not a Jew, I don't practice Judaism

I'm not a Buddhist, but Buddha's a master..."

gHari · June 14, 2004

PrabhupAda: And as soon as you say that you are equal or greater, then you are rascal. We must expose you, that you are a rascal. This is our business. Because we are servants of God. We cannot see anything blasphemy against God. That is not our business. We must chastise immediately.

NoD 9

Further Considerations of Devotional Principles

Blasphemy

One should not tolerate blasphemy of the Lord or His devotees. In this connection, in the Tenth Canto, Seventy-fourth Chapter, verse 40, of SrImad-BhAgavatam, Sukadeva GosvAmI tells ParIkSit MahArAja, "My dear King, if a person, after hearing blasphemous propaganda against the Lord and His devotees, does not go away from that place, he becomes bereft of the effect of all pious activities."

In one of Lord Caitanya's SikSASTaka verses it is stated, "The devotee should be more tolerant than the tree and more submissive than the grass. He should offer all honor to others, but may not accept any honor for himself." In spite of Lord Caitanya's being so humble and meek as a devotee, when He was informed about injuries inflicted on the body of SrI NityAnanda, He immediately ran to the spot and wanted to kill the offenders, JagAi and MAdhAi. This behavior of Lord Caitanya's is very significant. It shows that a VaiSNava may be very tolerant and meek, foregoing everything for his personal honor, but when it is a question of the honor of KRSNa or His devotee, he will not tolerate any insult.

There are three ways of dealing with such insults. If someone is heard blaspheming by words, one should be so expert that he can defeat the opposing party by argument. If he is unable to defeat the opposing party, then the next step is that he should not just stand there meekly, but should give up his life. The third process is followed if he is unable to execute the above-mentioned two processes, and this is that one must leave the place and go away. If a devotee does not follow any of the above-mentioned three processes, he falls down from his position of devotion.

SB 4.14.32

nAyam arhaty asad-vRtto

naradeva-varAsanam

yo 'dhiyajJa-patiM viSNuM

vinindaty anapatrapaH

na--never; ayam--this man; arhati--deserves; asat-vRttaH--full of impious activities; nara-deva--of the worldly king or worldly god; vara-Asanam--the exalted throne; yaH--he who; adhiyajJa-patim--the master of all sacrifices; viSNum--Lord ViSNu; vinindati--insults; anapatrapaH--shameless.

The saintly sages continued: This impious, impudent man does not deserve to sit on the throne at all. He is so shameless that he even dared insult the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord ViSNu.

PURPORT

One should not at any time tolerate blasphemy and insults against Lord ViSNu or His devotees. A devotee is generally very humble and meek, and he is reluctant to pick a quarrel with anyone. Nor does he envy anyone. However, a pure devotee immediately becomes fiery with anger when he sees that Lord ViSNu or His devotee is insulted. This is the duty of a devotee. Although a devotee maintains an attitude of meekness and gentleness, it is a great fault on his part if he remains silent when the Lord or His devotee is blasphemed.