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Teaching Not Preaching In CA Bible Belt

News Source: www.cbsnews.com

MODESTO, Calif., June 24, 2008 (CBS) Modesto is known as the bible belt of California. It has deep conservative roots in farmland and a vocal Evangelical community.

But increasingly, some less familiar notes are echoing through California's Central Valley, CBS News correspondent John Blackstone reports.

Like many other places, Modesto is becoming more religiously diverse.

But unlike any other place, religion is a required course in high school here.

"We can't preach, but we can teach," teacher Yvonne Taylor said.

Using "Teach Don't Preach" as her motto, Taylor guides the world religions course at Johansen High.

"And now we're going to be looking at Judaism, Christianity, and Islam," Taylor said to her class.

Most schools studiously avoid religion. In fact, Modesto is the only public school district in America where students have to study all major religions to graduate.

"The United States is one of the most religious countries on Earth. And yet Americans know almost nothing about religion," said Stephen Prothero, author of a new book, "Religious Literacy."

Prothero believes Modesto should be a model for the country, because America is paying a price for knowing so little about the world's religions.

"Religious illiteracy imperils our Democracy at home and it puts to a huge test our ability to conduct foreign policy overseas," Prothero said. "What's going on now in Iraq and in Iran and in Burma - these are religious people acting for religious reasons."

"In Islam, we'll be talking about the five pillars," Taylor said to her class.

But in Modesto, the lessons aren't about distant cultures, so much as about the student at the next desk.

"So the only religion that actually requires the wearing of the turban would be what faith?" Taylor asked her students.

"Sikhs," students answered.

Jaskirat Brar, a devout member of Modesto's Sikh community, may stand out at Johansen High. But thanks to the world religions course he also fits in.

"Kids get to learn what I am and clear up misconceptions they have about me," he said.

"Because we have the world religions course, the students are aware of what's happening in our community and that certainly is something to celebrate," Taylor said.

"Probably the best thing that I learned [is] how to respect the cultures and the religions and what they believe," one student said.

"I was really glad that people are learning who I am and what I'm about," said Doria Hohenlavuth, a Buddhist.

The city's religious leaders have embraced the course.

"This is a very good thing in my opinion," said Ahmad Kayello of the Islamic Center of Modesto.

At the city's Sikh temple, Ravinder Singh Brar said: "The more we know about each other, the more friendly we are going to be."

While there are many religions here, the goal is to create one community where everyone is accepted.

 

 Modesto, Calif. is the only public school district in the nation that requires students to learn about the major religions. John Blackstone reports on a model that may benefit Americans
 

 

Bhagavad Gita Condems Worship Of Demigods ... Same in Sikhism

Submitted by K.J.SINGH on Fri, 06/27/2008 - 16:18.
K.J. Singh The Personalist Vaishnava Version of the Bhagavad Gita Text 15 na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah mayayapahrta-jnana asuram bhavam asritah na--not; mam--unto Me; duskrtinah--miscreants; mudhah--foolish; prapadyante--surrender; nara-adhamah--lowest among mankind; mayaya--by the illusory energy; apahrta--stolen; jnanah--whose knowledge; asuram--demonic; bhavam--nature; asritah--accepting. Translation Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons do not surrender unto Me. Purport It is said in Bhagavad-gita that simply by surrendering oneself unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality Krsna one can surmount the stringent laws of material nature. At this point a question arises: How is it that educated philosophers, scientists, businessmen, administrators and all the leaders of ordinary men do not surrender to the lotus feet of Sri Krsna, the all-powerful Personality of Godhead? Mukti, or liberation from the laws of material nature, is sought by the leaders of mankind in different ways and with great plans and perseverance for a great many years and births. But if that liberation is possible by simply surrendering unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then why don't these intelligent and hard-working leaders adopt this simple method? The Gita answers this question very frankly. Those really learned leaders of society like Brahma, Siva, Kapila, the Kumaras, Manu, Vyasa, Devala, Asita, Janaka, Prahlada, Bali, and later on Madhvacarya, Ramanujacarya, Sri Caitanya and many others--who are faithful philosophers, politicians, educators, scientists, etc.--surrender to the lotus feet of the Supreme Person, the all-powerful authority. Those who are not actually philosophers, scientists, educators, administrators, etc., but who pose themselves as such for material gain, do not accept the plan or path of the Supreme Lord. They have no idea of God; they simply manufacture their own worldly plans and consequently complicate the problems of material existence in their vain attempts to solve them. Because material energy (nature) is so powerful, it can resist the unauthorized plans of the atheists and baffle the knowledge of "planning commissions." The atheistic planmakers are described herein by the word duskrtinah, or "miscreants." Krti means one who has performed meritorious work. The atheist planmaker is sometimes very intelligent and meritorious also, because any gigantic plan, good or bad, must take intelligence to execute. But because the atheist's brain is improperly utilized in opposing the plan of the Supreme Lord, the atheistic planmaker is called duskrti, which indicates that his intelligence and efforts are misdirected.

Most Hindus worship demigods Not so in Sikhism.

Submitted by K.J.SINGH on Thu, 06/26/2008 - 23:11.
Sikh students must emphasize that “Sikhism is a MONOTHEISTIC religion Sikhs surrender and serve the formless aspect of a Personal creator Paramatma “He is referred to as Wahaguru Ji “He is our father “Purekh” and the earth is our mother “Prakriti” and Wahaguru Ji is the source of both Purekh “Yoga Maya” (Transcendental) and Prakriti “Maha Maya” (Material) Most people in the west see as as Hindus because our last name are “Singh” There is a big difference, In the U.S. practically all Hindu Temples worships exalted human beings with Mystic powers which are referred to as Demigods Ganesh, Shiva, Durga, Kali, (Maha Maya) But Sikhs condemns the worship of exalted human beings with Mystic powers or demigods. Sikhs surrender to the ONE Supreme Lord and serve them. No different than Judaism, Christianity, and Islam….. The Monotheistic Roots of Sikhism goes back 5000 years ago... during the Vedic civilization….India is dragging on the hollow remnant of the ancient Vedic civilization and has become a very materialistic society largely due to the worship of demigods.

Environmental and Societal Religion?

Submitted by Larry on Fri, 06/27/2008 - 11:58.
I am just imparting an observation and I do not challenge how you feel or see the Siri Guru Granth Sahib or Sikhism for that matter. I only challenge your last statement in a most respectful way. I see the materialistic society you speak of actually as a society that has embraced hate, that hate can be found many places and is sometimes accepted as some form of "passive aggressive" lifestyle. When in reality "passive aggressive" is actually "aggressive passive" and no form of passiveness whatsoever. In India it can actually be attributed to the loss of understanding of what is actually being propounded in the various religious texts. The selfless service and care for others that is spoken of has lost its nondiscriminatory self. Sikhs look to take care of all types of people, other people of faith also. However, there is a selfishness pervading today, that one will only take care of their own self, their own family, those only like them and those that are different should be considered detractors and less than ones self. This is known as discrimination and inequality. This can be found many places, even in Sikhs that do not understand the Guru's command. Hinduism began as a loosely knit group of several religions coming under one flag known as Hinduism. Hinduism today is as diverse as it was at its onset. Today in Hinduism even though they worship "demigods", there is a strong concept of the Supreme Creation Known as the Supreme Lord to Sikhs. The Guru even acknowledges how they seek this Supreme Lord. The Guru gives status to the "demigods" as devotees of the Supreme Lord. The reason why Hindus desire to worship "demigods' in a Hindu temple and may be more environmental and societal than anything else. Many true Hindus that see Hinduism as a way to God not as way of convenience will tell you that they believe in the Supreme Lord and sense or see the Supreme Lord as that which all of creation generates from. However they will also tell you that Ganesh has removed obstacles in their life as a devotee and channel of the Supreme Lord's, Guru's power. Very similar to how Sikhs have harnessed the Guru's power in their life worldwide and have help remove the obstacles of poverty and inequality, through charitable service as well as Guru Ka Langer. The differences of Hindu and Sikhism are acknowledged, however one shouldn’t remove them from a state of equality due to their chosen faith, just as a Sikh should not be considered any less for worshiping the one true Lord as the Siri Guru Granth Sahib dictates. One can acknowledge Gurmukh as prescribed in the Guru as the best way, however one is also admonished about the trappings of ego and the diminishment of others. gur eesar gur gorakh barmaa gur paarbatee maa-ee. The Guru is Shiva, the Guru is Vishnu and Brahma; the Guru is Paarvati and Lakhshmi. gaavniH tuDhno eesar barahmaa dayvee sohan tayray sadaa savaaray. Shiva and Brahma and the Goddess Parvaati, so beautiful and ever adorned by You, sing to You. gaavniH tuDhno indar indaraasan baithay dayviti-aa dar naalay. The Indras, seated upon their celestial thrones, with the deities at Your Gate, sing to You. jaagai sukday-o ar akoor. Suk Dayv and Akrur are awake and aware. hanvant jaagai Dhar lankoor. Hanuman with his tail is awake and aware. sankar jaagai charan sayv. Shiva is awake, serving at the Lord's Feet. kal jaagay naamaa jaidayv. Naam Dayv and Jai Dayv are awake in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga. jaagat sovat baho parkaar. There are many ways of being awake, and sleeping. gurmukh jaagai so-ee saar. To be awake as Gurmukh is the most excellent way. Guru Gobind Singh Ji protected all of India, to include the Hindu with his honor, his courage and his love.

Guru Gobind Singh's remarks about The One God

Submitted by SSK1 on Fri, 06/27/2008 - 14:00.
"Karta (The creator) and Karim (The Beneficient) are the names of the same God. Razak (The provider) and Rahim (The merciful) are also the names given to Him. Let no man in his error wrangle over differences in names. Worship The One God who is the Lord of all. Know that His form is one and He is the One light diffused in all." (Guru Gobind Singh- Bachittar Natak) "Some worship stones, put them on their heads or hang them round their necks. Some insist that God is in the South, others bow their heads to the West. Some fools worship idols, others waste their time with worshipping the dead. The whole world is entangled in false ceremonies and has not found God's secret." (Guru Gobind Singh- Swayya 10)

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