Freethought & Rationalism Archive

BolshyFaker · 09-14-2007, 02:48 AM

This is a genius story on so many levels:

BBC news

Quote:

The Indian government has withdrawn a controversial report submitted in court earlier this week which questioned the existence of Hindu god Ram.

The report was withdrawn after huge protests by opposition parties.

The report was presented to the Supreme Court on Wednesday in connection with a case against a proposed shipping canal project between India and Sri Lanka.

Hindu hardliners say the project will destroy what they say is a bridge built by Ram and his army of monkeys.

Scientists and archaeologists say the Ram Setu (Lord Ram's bridge) - or Adam's Bridge as it is sometimes called - is a natural formation of sand and stones.

:rolling:

Please make the Court decide whether an army of monkeys built a land formation!

Shame the government has backed down in the face of religious nutters. But my experience is that magic takes a back seat when it comes to large scale development so my bet is the argument will resurface.

Tao of Pooh · 09-14-2007, 02:56 AM

Hey! Hey! HEY THERE!

You better be careful who you so casually mock buddy-boy! You don't want an entire army of monkeys coming after your ass, do you?

Well? Do you?

Whatever you are, be a good one.

adren@line · 09-14-2007, 05:56 PM

while the tale regarding the monkey army is comical, I wouldnt lend much credibility to the way of the Indian Government.

They are what one would call "secular extremists", ie individuals who are anti-religion to such a degree that it becomes fanatical and ridiculous.

Draconis · 09-14-2007, 05:58 PM

Yes but us monkeys build bridges all the time without any gods helping out.

David B · 09-14-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adren@line

while the tale regarding the monkey army is comical, I wouldnt lend much credibility to the way of the Indian Government.

They are what one would call "secular extremists", ie individuals who are anti-religion to such a degree that it becomes fanatical and ridiculous.

Evidence?

David B (suggests putting up or shutting up)

Jobar · 09-14-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adren@line

while the tale regarding the monkey army is comical, I wouldnt lend much credibility to the way of the Indian Government.

They are what one would call "secular extremists", ie individuals who are anti-religion to such a degree that it becomes fanatical and ridiculous.

Say wha'?!

These "secular extremists" just backed down from questioning the existence of a monkey god.

Would that the world's religious extremists were so "fanatical".

fatpie42 · 09-14-2007, 07:42 PM

Er... Hanuman was the monkey god. Ram was an incarnation of Vishnu who asked Hanuman for help against the demon-king Ravana.

Now are they denying Hanuman, Ram, or just the monkey army? Let's get our facts straight here.

09-14-2007, 10:05 PM

And maybe culturally significant sites should be protected against developers, whether the traditional story is true or not.

copernicus · 09-14-2007, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajela

And maybe culturally significant sites should be protected against developers, whether the traditional story is true or not.

I agree, in principle. I know nothing about the bridge or its cultural significance, but there might be a good secular reason to preserve it for posterity. The government seems to be taking a very reasonable position in delaying (but not canceling) the project. So much of beauty has been destroyed in India by rapid development that I think it worth slowing down some of the mad rush in order to assess the cultural impact.

Tao of Pooh · 09-14-2007, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatpie42

Er... Hanuman was the monkey god. Ram was an incarnation of Vishnu who asked Hanuman for help against the demon-king Ravana.

Now are they denying Hanuman, Ram, or just the monkey army? Let's get our facts straight here.

Not knowing that much about the Hindu gods I just figured that Ram was an incarnation of Hanuman.
You learn something new every day!

Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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09-14-2007, 02:56 AM	#2
Tao of Pooh Beloved Deceased Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The 100 Acre Wood. Posts: 2,805	Hey! Hey! HEY THERE! You better be careful who you so casually mock buddy-boy! You don't want an entire army of monkeys coming after your ass, do you? Well? Do you? *Whatever you are, be a good one.*

09-14-2007, 05:56 PM	#3
adren@line Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: California Posts: 2,615	while the tale regarding the monkey army is comical, I wouldnt lend much credibility to the way of the Indian Government. They are what one would call "secular extremists", ie individuals who are anti-religion to such a degree that it becomes fanatical and ridiculous.

09-14-2007, 05:58 PM	#4
Draconis Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 3,165	Yes but us monkeys build bridges all the time without any gods helping out.

09-14-2007, 07:42 PM	#7
fatpie42 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Britain Posts: 5,259	Er... Hanuman was the monkey god. Ram was an incarnation of Vishnu who asked Hanuman for help against the demon-king Ravana. Now are they denying Hanuman, Ram, or just the monkey army? Let's get our facts straight here.

09-14-2007, 10:05 PM	#8
cajela Guest Posts: n/a	And maybe culturally significant sites should be protected against developers, whether the traditional story is true or not.

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