Comments on: Pounding leather

By: Anil

Anil — Fri, 27 May 2005 04:22:29 +0000

Where are all you supposed secularists when it comes to separation of church and state? The Ten Commandments in Alabama, the god mention in the Pledge of Allegiance? Suddenly you all vanish.

Well, you never asked us 'supposed secularists' about all that either. For the record, here's my opinion:
1. Separation of church and state: For it. No Ten Commandments in courts, and no mention of god in the pledge of allegiance. It's not for the state to presume my faith.
2. Being touchy about religion: Against it.
See, it's not about American cultural mores because there is nothing called American cultural mores. Else there wouldn't be a fight about the ten commandments or evolution in school textbooks. To each his own moral values.

By: Nina P

Nina P — Fri, 27 May 2005 02:23:13 +0000

I agree, the shoes are a hate crime targeting taste.

By: Saurav

Saurav — Fri, 27 May 2005 01:40:36 +0000

It’s just an idiotic piece of creative work.(I hate to call it art!!) .

Aha! There’s the interesting part. Is this about creative expression or commercial exploitation? If it’s the former, I don’t have a problem with it (the same way I didn’t fully have a problem with the elephant dung virgin mary, although I did find the idea a little offensive). If it’s the latter, though, (which I’m guessing it is), that’s a different story.

Nonetheless, I stand by my earlier point that tackiness should render all further discussion moot. Thanks for catching my back, Desi Dancer

By: Manish Vij

Manish Vij — Fri, 27 May 2005 00:18:09 +0000

I think it’s interesting that the group calls itself “Hindu Human Rights.”

Conservatives have adopted the enemy’s weapon, framing (‘The New Deal,’ ‘The Great Society’)

By: juslandednmissinhome

juslandednmissinhome — Fri, 27 May 2005 00:13:52 +0000

you're acting out of American cultural mores more than ideological consistency.

Sure, there's no ideology here, and that's my whole point. I feel people shouldnt be seeing ideology in stuff like these shoes. It's just an idiotic piece of creative work.(I hate to call it art!!) . And sure I hate religion colouring politics, whether it be here or in India. And I defentitely am not a Bush-supporter, and I too think these incidents that u mentioned are as moronic Ram or Jesus On Shoes - as well as the War on Ram or Jesus On Shoes.

By: Amardeep

Amardeep — Fri, 27 May 2005 00:05:54 +0000

On a different tip, I think it's interesting that the group calls itself "Hindu Human Rights."

It takes a concept we normally think of as 'liberal' (human rights), and merges it with a right-leaning/conservative agenda. It makes it all the more tricky to counter: who on earth would be opposed to the human rights of Hindus? No one.

By: Oeth

Oeth — Fri, 27 May 2005 00:01:34 +0000

Where are all you supposed secularists when it comes to separation of church and state? The Ten Commandments in Alabama, the god mention in the Pledge of Allegiance? Suddenly you all vanish. That makes me think you’re acting out of American cultural mores more than ideological consistency.

By: juslandednmissinhome

juslandednmissinhome — Thu, 26 May 2005 23:50:25 +0000

Cmon guys….. u dont need to google the world for “insults” to Jesus to make the point that activism against these shoes are a bit over-the-top. What was the most sensational pop-culture hit of last year? which is the most eagerly anticipated book-to-movie right now? Its Da Vinci Code, and what’s the main premise of the thing – that Jesus had a kid. Think about it, that’s VERY radical, and unsettling if you are in the habit of stuff like that seriously. And there were other stuff about the Church and whatnot. But hey, where there any mass protests, book-burnings, digging up pitches, or whatever? No, and that’s coz it’s just somebody’s creative work, and most people have the sense to think of it that way, and enjoy it if they like it. (Personally I thought it was a racy read, tho campy at times.) And abt Jesus on things, being an avid fan of FTV till a while ago, I can certify that there is defenitely a lot of it out there !!

By: RC

RC — Thu, 26 May 2005 23:20:52 +0000

Whenever any Hindu images are desecrated these way and there are people protesting .. IMO Its more to assert existance ("vajud" for Hindi literates) of a preety large group (1/6th of humanity)

But detractors always say .. will this remove poverty. My response is that a people whose existances is so marginalized that they can be stepped on with so much ease can never come out of poverty. So, yes it will remove poverty.

By: MD

MD — Thu, 26 May 2005 23:14:15 +0000

Wow. Finding images of Hindu Gods on shoes offensive? Jesus on flipflops pulled from shelves?

My gosh. Next thing you know, people will be banning books because the book insults (insert deity of choice here).

Oh, wait a minute….

Certain religious folk do things I find offensive – maybe I should start a boycott of those folk (although, considering how often I go to the temple, I suppose I already have )