hinduwoman

Most religious people don't have a clue why they do something except that this will ultimately lead to salvation.

Hindus are polytheists, though philosophically speaking all are manifestations of one God.

Untouchables are untouchables precisely because they do the most horrid tasks. Hinduism does allow caste mobility, but to make it stick you got to have moeny and power. Untouchables never could manage to have enough muscle power or money --- so they remained trapped in a vicious cycle. But their condition have improved slightly since the State made them the subjects of positive discrimination.

Yep, female foeticide is common in North India.

Actually at first Hindus practised bride price, but later it changed to dowry. Even then dowry was supposed to be inviolate property of the wife instead of the husband's share. Only as time went by it did not quite work out that way. But in South India there are still castes where bride price is given.

hinduwoman

I am a Carvaka type Hindu. confusing I know, but one can be an atheist and an Hindu.

queser

Please tell me a little more about Carvaka type Hindu?

Why did you decide this branch?

Do you for example eat meat?

Do they also break coconuts for celabrations and why?

hinduwoman

Carvaks are atheists and materialists; so they don't have any celebrations or breaking cocnuts which they would say is superstition.
Yes, I eat meat; even tasted beef; so don't worry!

Since I am a materialist myself if anyone asks me to what branch of Hinduism I belong this is what I say. It does not really have mystical sigificance.

mbsoccer31

http://www.geocities.com/freethoughtmecca/home.htm

This is one of the few good sites devoted to the criticism of Islam. It contains some very good articles and essays. I encourage people to read all of them, especially the one titled "Qu'ranic Embryology." River, I especially encourage you to read this.

http://www.geocities.com/freethoughtmecca/embryo.html