BaljeetSingh
SPNer
Dear all - I attended a convention organized by Amerian Academy of Religion - Society of Biblical Literature in Philadelphia in November 2005. There were hundereds of discussion/presentations held over three days period. There were many interesting topics covered. Among many other topics, there was a topic about "Men's Studies in Religion Group". I am typing in the exact text of the topic here:
"This session will examine the construction and experience of masculinities in the contexts of Mormonism, Sikhism, and evangelical Christainity. The paper address fathering in an evangelical context, colonialism and its effect on Sikh masculanity, Christology in film and the masculanity it supports, and gender roles within Mormon masculanity"
Navdeep Mandier from UK presented his paper under this discussion forum.
Among other things he presented during the presentation, he mentioned about the interest of British (and Chritians) in making strong relations with socities/cultures that exhibit musculine characteristics. Sikhism being one of them with display of kirpan and flowing beard, the British (and Christians) got attracted towards Sikhs.
Now, here are my thoughts....British tried to tame the Sikhs throughout the Raj. Our kirpan which used to be three feet long was shortened to 6 inches. Sikh soldiers were asked to be tie up their flowing beard.
Recently, I atteneded a presentation by a famous US Sikh personality in Philadelphia. He showed pictures of how Christains missionarries are active in Punjab right now. They are targetting the weak sikhs and bringing them over to their side. By weak sikhs, I mean those who do not wear turban and trim their beards, cut hair, smoke tobacco, etc.
Now, today I read a news paper article about BJP leasders questioning why the "Da Vinci Code" movie is banned in Punjab and Nagaland. I was taken by surprise....Though, the "Da Vinci Code" movies is a piece of fiction, it goes against directly against the prinicples of Christianity. There is suggestion in the movie that Jesus Christ actually got married and fathered a son.
I am neither in favor or against the movie, but am surprised to know that this movie is banned in Punjab. I can understand why it is banned in Nagaland as majority of the population there is Christain, but why it is banned in Punjab??? Does the Christain led Congress government (goverened by a Sikh) fear that the spread of Chirtianity will be affected if this movie it shown in Punjab?
I don't know the answer, but I was justtrying to put 2 + 2 together and reading in between the lines to understand hat is going on....Any thoughts??
"This session will examine the construction and experience of masculinities in the contexts of Mormonism, Sikhism, and evangelical Christainity. The paper address fathering in an evangelical context, colonialism and its effect on Sikh masculanity, Christology in film and the masculanity it supports, and gender roles within Mormon masculanity"
Navdeep Mandier from UK presented his paper under this discussion forum.
Among other things he presented during the presentation, he mentioned about the interest of British (and Chritians) in making strong relations with socities/cultures that exhibit musculine characteristics. Sikhism being one of them with display of kirpan and flowing beard, the British (and Christians) got attracted towards Sikhs.
Now, here are my thoughts....British tried to tame the Sikhs throughout the Raj. Our kirpan which used to be three feet long was shortened to 6 inches. Sikh soldiers were asked to be tie up their flowing beard.
Recently, I atteneded a presentation by a famous US Sikh personality in Philadelphia. He showed pictures of how Christains missionarries are active in Punjab right now. They are targetting the weak sikhs and bringing them over to their side. By weak sikhs, I mean those who do not wear turban and trim their beards, cut hair, smoke tobacco, etc.
Now, today I read a news paper article about BJP leasders questioning why the "Da Vinci Code" movie is banned in Punjab and Nagaland. I was taken by surprise....Though, the "Da Vinci Code" movies is a piece of fiction, it goes against directly against the prinicples of Christianity. There is suggestion in the movie that Jesus Christ actually got married and fathered a son.
I am neither in favor or against the movie, but am surprised to know that this movie is banned in Punjab. I can understand why it is banned in Nagaland as majority of the population there is Christain, but why it is banned in Punjab??? Does the Christain led Congress government (goverened by a Sikh) fear that the spread of Chirtianity will be affected if this movie it shown in Punjab?
I don't know the answer, but I was justtrying to put 2 + 2 together and reading in between the lines to understand hat is going on....Any thoughts??
