Hindus now target Archbishop Cremona for support
Hindus have now contacted Archbishop Monsignor Paul Cremona urging him to use his offices to ensure that Malta treats all religions equally in front of the law.
Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening, in a communiqué to Archbishop Cremona, wrote:
"Malta Criminal Code reportedly makes one liable to imprisonment up to six months for publicly vilifying Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion, while committing such an act against any cult tolerated by law makes one liable to imprisonment only up to three months.
"As you very well know, equality is the fundamental tenet of Judeo-Christian faith of which Catholicism is a significant part.
"As the Archbishop of Malta and president of Maltese Episcopal Conference of Roman Catholic Church, your words are highly valued by Malta leaders and citizens.
"Please use your good offices to ensure that Malta treats all religions including Hinduism equally in front of the law."
Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, and Rabbi Freirich, argued that it was perturbing to note that a country of Europe, which prided itself for its human rights initiatives, apparently treated crimes against religious sentiment of “other” religions/denominations as less serious than against majority religion and described religions/denominations other than majority religion as cults.
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lgalea
Jul 15th 2010, 10:32
As I have already said previously, the greatest affront that Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism had been given was by the international Hindus and the local Hindus who disassociated themselves from him and his organization.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jul 15th 2010, 08:43
@JosephCarmelChetcuti
"Hindus have as much right as Catholics not to be vilified." (J.C.Chetcuti)
Who is viliying Hindus in Malta? NO ONE!
Are Hindus in India vilifying Christianity and Islam? They are doing much worse - they are destroying their places of worship with people burnt alive inside!
Is the Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening being fair and reasonable? Most emphatically,NO.
Edward Zammit
Jul 15th 2010, 01:08
It's the end of the world as we know it !!!!
(all the rights to R.E.M.)
Louis Grima
Jul 14th 2010, 20:15
I say this to ALLLLL colour, creed, nationalities; I have always travelled MOST of my life and lived in England for 40 years and planning another long stretch somewhere else as I just love out there as I find it(or move to the next place). I never had any problems.....BUT I never gave any. WHY CAN'T ONE ACCEPT WHERE HE 'CHOSE' TO GO FOR WHAT IT IS AND THE WAY HE FINDS IT, AND IF ONE MISS HIS HOME AND CULTURE SO MUCH WHY NOT STAY WHERE HE BELONGS RATHER THAN TAKE HIS COUNTRY, RELIGION AND CULTURE WITH HIM TO IMPOSE IT ON OTHERS THAT ALREADY HAVE ONE WITH ITS OWN WAY OF LIFE,.............What ever happened to "WHEN IN ROME DO AS THE ROMANS DO" (HEY! You do not have to become a Roman!!!!!). After all most nations look for other countries because they can't even 'shit' in their own........SO WHY GO AND SHIT IN SOMEONE ELSE'S. OH! Yes,. I am saying this to my own kind to, 'The SOHO architects for example'.
Joseph Calleja
Jul 14th 2010, 19:48
Why are Hindus going to Archbishop Cremona? Why are Hindus not going to the PM. The Archbishop controls the Catholic Church, the Prime Minister controls the law of the land, or so we are told. Maybe they got the two of them mixed up.
Joe Zammit
Jul 14th 2010, 18:35
Became interested and made a quick google search. They are also trying to put international pressure on Malta through their website.
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/hindus-and-jews-strive-for-equality-in-malta
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/hindus-seek-popes-intervention
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/european-ombudsman-registers-complaint
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/european-Ombudsman-rejects-Hindus-request
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/equality-in-malta
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/hindus-ask-human-rights-commissioner
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/hindus-call-for-meeting-with-pope-in-malta
They also want the Australian Parliament to start by saying Hindu prayers. Has anyone ever seen such arrogance?
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/hindu-prayer-request-denied-by-australia-house
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/cows-sold-to-butchers-by-temple-committee
Protesting against selling of cows to butchers
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/eu_commision_snub_hindus
European Commission & Parliament snub Hindus in dialogue with leaders of various faiths
http://www.forumforhinduawakening.org/articles/id/news/hindus_want_apology_frm_pope
Hindus want public apology from Pope for insulting them
J Galea
Jul 14th 2010, 18:16
Although i appreciate that everyone has a right to practice their own religion, i also believe that one must respect the rules of the country he/she is residining in, and not try to change things. You are free to leave.
Pawlu Scicluna
Jul 14th 2010, 18:07
Have a look at a few of the Hindu Gods
http://www.sacredsource.com/Shiva-Shakti-statue-8/productinfo/SS
http://www.sacredsource.com/Siddhi-Ganesh-plaque-65/productinfo/GWP
http://www.sacredsource.com/Laxshmi-Vishnu-plaque-85/productinfo/LVP/
http://www.sacredsource.com/Shakti-Shiva-plaque-7/productinfo/SSP/
http://www.sacredsource.com/Shiva_Shakti-statue-4/productinfo/SS4/
http://www.sacredsource.com/Shiva-_-Shakti-statue-12/productinfo/PS-SS/
http://www.sacredsource.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LV&variation=&aitem=4&mitem=12
http://www.sacredsource.com/default.asp
http://www.sacredsource.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SA9&variation=&aitem=24&mitem=39
http://www.sacredsource.com/prodinfo.asp?number=VSP&variation=&aitem=2&mitem=2
http://www.sacredsource.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NF&variation=&aitem=4&mitem=5
http://www.sacredsource.com/Vaishno-Devi-Durga-95/productinfo/LD/
http://www.sacredsource.com/Large-Ganesh-Statue-12-3_4/productinfo/LGS/
http://www.sacredsource.com/Large-Krishna-Radha-22/productinfo/LKR/
http://www.sacredsource.com/Shirdi-Sai-Baba-4/productinfo/SSB/
http://www.sacredsource.com/Kali-Bhairavi-statue-7-1_2/productinfo/KBH/
http://www.sacredsource.com/6-Shiva-Nataraj/productinfo/BZ-6/
http://www.hindujagruti.org/news/article/denigrations/articles/the-facts-of-khajuraho.html
Dr Francis Saliba
Jul 14th 2010, 17:57
The Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening, with brazen hypocrisy, is throwing an apple of discord among the Catholic population of Malta. It is only providing fodder for atheists and all sorts of antireligioius elements. That is not in the interest of any religion - including Hinduism. In Malta, there is not even a trace of vilification of Hinduism.
In the Far East ,where the Hindus are dominant, they do not stop at vilifying Islam and Christianity but they regularly massacre Muslims and Christians and destroy their places of worship.
If it wants to be taken seriously this shameful Forum should concern itself, not with greater “awakening” for Hindus. They are already much too violent and murderous. It should be calming them down to practice a civilized toleration of other religions.
This forum has no answer to pertinent criticism of their hypocrisy and malicious double standards. They should be ignored with contempt.
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 14th 2010, 17:33
Incidentally what does we wish us to do. Increase the sentences or reduce them to make them equal.
Joe Zammit
Jul 14th 2010, 17:23
Let me say a word about criminal law. This law is different from civil law because while civil law looks at civil relations and finds a remedy to problems arising from such relations, the criminal law looks at what HARMS society as a whole. It takes into account also individuals but as part of society. So in criminal law we find laws that protect our society from all types of dangers.
Besides, every criminal law is always sanctioned by imprisonment and/or fine (multa jew ammenda). The punishment is proportional to the offence. So, let's take our Catholic Religion. Since the great majority of Maltese and Gozitans are Catholic (and not Hindus for that matter), an offence against our Religion, offending the majority, must be far greater than an offence against, say the Hindu religion where its members here in Malta amount to a few.
The logical and legal conclusion is that the punishment for an offence against the Roman Catholic Religion must be bigger than that for an offence against any other religion.
colin stanley
Jul 14th 2010, 16:57
are these Indians the same that have been living here for decades,to be honest I personally don't know what religion they follow and don't care anyway, as far as I know we never had problems with them, Some of them came to the same school I went to, and we never talked about religion,so whats happening all of a sudden, what rights are they talking about? or is it these illegal indians that are here who started all this?
ms g hoare
Jul 14th 2010, 15:06
When i lived ENGLAND and was surrounded with Hindu and Muslem Community ,i was told that if I dont like the HEAT get out of the Kitcken , so i DID CAME BACK HOME , MALTA IS GONNA END UP JUST LIKE ENGLAND.
SO NOW IT'S MY TIME TO REPEAT what was said to me
,
Bhavna Shinde of Forum for Hindu Awakening
IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jul 14th 2010, 17:01
Sieg Heil to that!!!!!!!!
Joe Bugelli
Jul 14th 2010, 14:53
This is not a request to adopt or entrench any religious belief in the Maltese constitution, but rather a reasonable request to treat all people, regardless of faith or political persuasion, with the same courtesy and respect in the eyes of the law. If we believe that all men are equal in the eyes of God, and are urged to love our neighbours as ourselves, why the trepidation to entrench what we preach and believe into law? To point fingers at how other cultures or countries deal with such situations should not be used as a starting point to establish or justify our own. Fundamental human rights should not be kicked around as one would a football! We should lead by example and not follow ignorantly, and blatantly disregard basic tenents of faith and morals, by retaliating against others whose political and religious leaders are not as progressive, lucid and clear-minded as I hope we are.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jul 14th 2010, 18:23
Are you being naive or are you trying to deceive? The Forum's hypocritical ploy is Not an honest attempt to "to treat all people, regardless of faith or political persuasion, with the same courtesy and respect in the eyes of the law." If this were so these Hindus would observe the dictum "Medice cura te ipsum" and put first things first first by taking the beam out of their own eye before attempting to remove an infinitesmal mote from the eyes of Catholics in Malta.
Raymond Bezzina
Jul 14th 2010, 14:10
A question to these Hindus :
Before complaining to Roman Catholic religious leaders in Europe,
why don't you first apply pressure on Hindu leaders in India, so that
all Hindus would treat all religions equally and without discrimination ?
Charity begins at home. Do you believe in this ?
William Borg Barthet
Jul 14th 2010, 17:10
Insisting that Hindus don't demand equality until all countries where Hinduism is the dominant religion grant equality would be like killing Americans for serious crimes because they still have the death penalty in the USA. A Maltese citizen is not necessarily Catholic and these fellow citizens are being discriminated against, as are Muslims, Jews, Protestants and atheists.
Pawlu Scicluna
Jul 14th 2010, 13:17
Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, and Rabbi Freirich, It is not you who decides what we consider as a religion or as a cult. This is our law and that's how it's going to stay whether you like it or not.
How about Hindu violence against Christians and Moslems?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgxVNDzoh84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2NNEH7-7DU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=536zwG8y5T8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXjlkaM-ikY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vBo8Ykegr4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtiscd4yVWU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z8JKnhDcCo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON2vaCbsG5U&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIMWbwgkg_w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFocBvx_4kA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJwesiA8AaE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV8t917nNIk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmgm6JWxRU0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hijIXKo7Ces&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6KW_AuPxuY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wzDEle9BFc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JzoBloWQGw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XBrKy6wreo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8xx37Z-wjM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVha1Lg_sY0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn7m3HsKN5c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILc7wdhst1Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HszgNDjk5E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt0CwqX_7Aw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdwm9Uk-2_4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tbvPh44ck4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZkDi3JNliA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3znSTS9WcBc&feature=related
T Camilleri
Jul 14th 2010, 17:40
Thanks for the links Pawlu. They show the Hindu self-appointed leader but denied by the International Hindu and the local Hindu Community who have never had any problems in Malta for what he really is. Arrogant and represents no one except himself.
As for Rabbi Freirich, he had better look at what the Jews are doing to the Palestinians and to other Jews who they consider as second-class Jewish citizens.
Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Jul 14th 2010, 13:07
Vilification and adverse comment on any religion are not one and the same thing. Hindus have as much right as Catholics not to be vilified. I doubt the archbishop will do anything that might put at risk the privileged position of Roman Catholcism in Malta ... as well as his own privileged position.
Raymond Bezzina
Jul 14th 2010, 15:14
Mr. Chetcuti,
Since you seem to know much about the subject, tell me ;
Are Roman Catholics publicly vilifying, or have they publicly vilified Hindus in Malta ?
Are Hindus publicly vilifying, or have they publicly vilified Roman Catholics in India ?
KZarb
Jul 14th 2010, 12:47
I am not Paul the Octopus, but I forecast that the Archbishop will agree with this. He has been accomodating all the religions, especially Islam, to the detriment of Catholics.
Neville Calleja
Jul 14th 2010, 13:05
Why the sneering tone? Frankly, it's not Archbishop Cremona but the Vatican Council II that has established ecumenism as a major target of future Church policy - an avenue well trodden by Pope John Paul II.
In any case, yes, equality is desirable. On the other hand, whether (a) that legislative instrument in itself is causing any real detriment to anyone, and (b) the exponents involved really represent the Hindu and the Jewish community worldwide, is highly doubtful.
martin saliba
Jul 14th 2010, 14:22
it seems that you have for gotten what the crusaders set oit to do in the name of christ.
Joe Buttigieg
Jul 14th 2010, 16:13
And it seem that Martin Saliba does not know why they set out to do it in the first place!
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 14th 2010, 12:10
Will I get the three month sentence If I vilify a voodoo priest.
a.agius
Jul 14th 2010, 12:08
2 weights 2 measures.
Do other countries with different beliefs grant such treatment / tolerance to Christians????
Then lump it!!!
M Abela
Jul 14th 2010, 15:14
very Christian of you....
Jesmond Micallef
Jul 14th 2010, 12:01
With due respect but could these two Religious Leaders, Rajan Zed and Rabbi Freirich mind their own business !! The Maltese are proud to have the faculty of intellect and its rude if not offensive really to intrude in such a manner. Archbishop Monsignor Paul Cremona may take into consideration that Malta does not in any manner intrude into what others nations do, most especially when it come to offensive "bipolar" military technology such nuclear weaponry. That, in its own right, is enough proof of how peacefull and respectfull to human life of whatever religious emotional build the European nation of Malta is.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jul 14th 2010, 17:01
As usual the same mistake of associating any kind of Religion with a particular nationality.
J.Tonna
Jul 14th 2010, 11:58
Don't the Hindus know that it is better to lead by example???????
Jack Sparrow
Jul 14th 2010, 11:37
"As you very well know, equality is the fundamental tenet of Judeo-Christian faith of which Catholicism is a significant part."
Certainly not according to the Bible.
Gerry Cowie
Jul 14th 2010, 19:43
And your point is? And your proof is?
Joe Zammit
Jul 14th 2010, 21:18
The New Testament was written by the Catholic Church and the Old Testament was handed to us by the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has told us which books of the Old Testament and the New Testament were inspired by God. She and only She has the infallibility to teach us without error. That's what the vast majority of Maltese and Gozitans firmly believe!