Comments on: In God’s Hands http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/ For the modern South Asian. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:25:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Abera http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5880 Sat, 26 May 2007 17:33:37 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5880 Priya, I think what you did was very brave and although you may or may not feel, I don't know is that you are lucky-and that is because it never went as far as rape. Some years ago a woman from a temple near our house in London(IN LONDON) was rape repeatedly by the main priest, who claimed she was his wife in a past life. Not only this but she became pregnant both times after the attack and although she was against abortion herself, she decided to go through it, also considering the fact that she was married. However, unlike in your story, the man was jailed for I think 30years in prison for the crime. Like many people here when I hear this stories I do feel my faith waver. But the way I see it is this, in every religion there will always be someone who gives their religion a bad name and although I am disgusted by both these men, I cannot put my faith to blame for this and hope they will be punished in their next lives for their crimes. Priya, I think what you did was very brave and although you may or may not feel, I don’t know is that you are lucky-and that is because it never went as far as rape. Some years ago a woman from a temple near our house in London(IN LONDON) was rape repeatedly by the main priest, who claimed she was his wife in a past life. Not only this but she became pregnant both times after the attack and although she was against abortion herself, she decided to go through it, also considering the fact that she was married. However, unlike in your story, the man was jailed for I think 30years in prison for the crime. Like many people here when I hear this stories I do feel my faith waver. But the way I see it is this, in every religion there will always be someone who gives their religion a bad name and although I am disgusted by both these men, I cannot put my faith to blame for this and hope they will be punished in their next lives for their crimes.

]]> by: katrina http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5848 Thu, 24 May 2007 20:26:16 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5848 Priya, thank you for sharing your experience in such an eloquent piece. We can only hope that speaking out about this brings some peace to your mind about this very troubling experience in addition to providing some comfort to other women who have been something very similar. Priya, thank you for sharing your experience in such an eloquent piece. We can only hope that speaking out about this brings some peace to your mind about this very troubling experience in addition to providing some comfort to other women who have been something very similar.

]]> by: Megan Tatachar http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5833 Wed, 23 May 2007 23:55:34 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5833 In regards to the comment "Jay" made about not believing this story, how can you be so judgmental and misogynistic ? Maybe if you had actually experienced something similar you would understand the trauma she went through. In regards to the comment “Jay” made about not believing this story, how can you be so judgmental and misogynistic ? Maybe if you had actually experienced something similar you would understand the trauma she went through.

]]> by: WalkingFire http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5819 Wed, 23 May 2007 12:37:52 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5819 You certainly don't have to believe this. When one can relate to and identify with these vivid emotions, images, and sensations, the article becomes generalizable; that is a basic tenet of empiricism. Besides, even if it weren't true, the *possibility* that such stories are true ought to evoke a sense of alarm, and a motive to be proactive in preventing a "true" occurrence. This is not to say that the story like this needs to be presented for shock value. I believe this story and have absolutely no reason to discount the authenticity of the feelings within it. You certainly don’t have to believe this. When one can relate to and identify with these vivid emotions, images, and sensations, the article becomes generalizable; that is a basic tenet of empiricism.
Besides, even if it weren’t true, the *possibility* that such stories are true ought to evoke a sense of alarm, and a motive to be proactive in preventing a “true” occurrence.
This is not to say that the story like this needs to be presented for shock value. I believe this story and have absolutely no reason to discount the authenticity of the feelings within it.

]]> by: Jay http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5816 Wed, 23 May 2007 11:13:04 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5816 I am an atheist, who was born into a Hindu family. Now that disclaimer out of the way - please forgive my skepticism when I query, Why shoud we believe you, Priya? I am an atheist, who was born into a Hindu family.
Now that disclaimer out of the way - please forgive my skepticism when I query, Why shoud we believe you, Priya?

]]> by: Similar http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5803 Tue, 22 May 2007 17:41:36 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5803 a friend read this article, and we've been having a discussion about it. given how sex-related topics are so taboo in indian society, are men really to blame? it seems perverse, especially for a patriarchal society, to conceal sex. but, do men know what it means for sex to require consent? of course the priest is at fault here...and i'm not suggesting that men ought to be excused for such violations. i just wonder what messages this society is sending to men, too. if sex talk is repressed, might it make it more tempting for men to perform these violations? a friend read this article, and we’ve been having a discussion about it. given how sex-related topics are so taboo in indian society, are men really to blame? it seems perverse, especially for a patriarchal society, to conceal sex. but, do men know what it means for sex to require consent? of course the priest is at fault here…and i’m not suggesting that men ought to be excused for such violations. i just wonder what messages this society is sending to men, too. if sex talk is repressed, might it make it more tempting for men to perform these violations?

]]> by: Aarti http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5786 Mon, 21 May 2007 21:14:55 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5786 It was disheartening for me to read this article… but what was more disappointing was the reaction from the council and the women at the temple. How dare they blame you.. and their attitudes are just despicable! Alas, we live in a society where women are barely being empowered... I commend you for writing this article. . I’m sure it must not have been easy. Thanks. It was disheartening for me to read this article… but what was more disappointing was the reaction from the council and the women at the temple. How dare they blame you.. and their attitudes are just despicable! Alas, we live in a society where women are barely being empowered… I commend you for writing this article. . I’m sure it must not have been easy. Thanks.

]]> by: Roshni http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5785 Mon, 21 May 2007 20:06:37 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5785 Wow ... I applaud your bravery. I to encountered such a awkward meeting but with a professor at my school. It wasn't as bad as yours, but bad enough for me to report it. Wow … I applaud your bravery. I to encountered such a awkward meeting but with a professor at my school. It wasn’t as bad as yours, but bad enough for me to report it.

]]> by: Aarti http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5780 Mon, 21 May 2007 18:21:26 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5780 Thanks for such a courageous, honest piece of writing. Thanks for such a courageous, honest piece of writing.

]]> by: Priya http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5776 Mon, 21 May 2007 17:20:41 +0000 http://niralimagazine.com/2007/05/in-gods-hands/#comment-5776 Priya, I'm sorry you went through this experience. I wonder if his wife knew what was up. It has to have been difficult writing this... I applaud your bravery. I haven't yet figured out my complete reaction to this piece. In some ways, for the first time, I can identify with my Catholic husband and his reaction to all those stories of abuse that came out a few years ago. Along with the disgust comes a feeling that no, my religion is not this perverted twisted faith of the priest. I do worry that this piece might be used to prove to the world what a crazy religion Hinduism is, especially in the West, where it doesn't get very good press. But in the end, it's been good to read this. Priya, I’m sorry you went through this experience. I wonder if his wife knew what was up. It has to have been difficult writing this… I applaud your bravery.

I haven’t yet figured out my complete reaction to this piece. In some ways, for the first time, I can identify with my Catholic husband and his reaction to all those stories of abuse that came out a few years ago. Along with the disgust comes a feeling that no, my religion is not this perverted twisted faith of the priest.

I do worry that this piece might be used to prove to the world what a crazy religion Hinduism is, especially in the West, where it doesn’t get very good press.

But in the end, it’s been good to read this.

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