It has it’s claim as a “vedic religion” due to it’s referencing of the Veda and Vedic supplementary texts like the upanishads, although there is a heavy tantrik influence there too, and reference to various Tantras.

It is true though that ISKCON did take on a very heavy kind of “cultish” vibe in it’s transplation (is that a word) from the East to West.

I would never recommend ISKCON as anything more than a very basic doorway into the greater world of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

which is exactly why that white king ashoka sent out missionaries to the ends of the earth and buddhism became the first transcivilizational religion! it is the demon souls of the white devils.

There is a custom where priests who are on their way to mandir to perform puja will not touch ANYBODY, not even anybody’s shadow. It’s coz they have just thoroughly bathed and cleansed themselves for Vigraha seva and they don’t want to chance getting dirty (impure) again otherwise they will have to go back and bathe again.

I think thats fine, that applies to everyone. Its singling a group out for things like that which is contemptible.

There is a custom where priests who are on their way to mandir to perform puja will not touch ANYBODY, not even anybody’s shadow. It’s coz they have just thoroughly bathed and cleansed themselves for Vigraha seva and they don’t want to chance getting dirty (impure) again otherwise they will have to go back and bathe again.

Yeah in the hinterland mainly. In the cities you can pretty much be whoever you want to be, which is why Ambedkar said “head to the cities.”

Here’s an interesting article for all, written by the only woman I know who identifies as Hindu AND Christian