I was reading the articles in the news today about the Hindu goddess panties which Harrod's has been forced to withdraw . . . I remember the Ganesha toilet seats last year . . . and the shoes with images of deities before that . . . Why do so many people think our religion is a fashion statement? And, more importantly, how can I deal with them? I live in the South of the U.S., in a town which used to have 1 other Indian -- my cousin, who has moved away! A local store was carrying Ganesha lunchboxes for a while, and when I complained, they just said they didn't understand what was bothering me. How can I explain to people who don't already understand, that this is not honoring our religion, and it is not "cool"? Arggghhhhh.

Namaste' SevaShakti-ji,

Unfortunately, when it comes to our cultural icons being commercialized, we are at a loss. It may be unfortunate, or it may be not - but the reality is, it always appears to me that the Judeo-Christian community in this country are a lot more casual about their religious icons being commercialized than we do.

Think of this, SevaShakti-ji! I remember the toilet seat case too the "Sitting Pretty" scenario, when they put the image or Lord Ganesha and others in a toilet seat cover. The company was also putting the image of Virgin Mary, if I remember correctly! And unless I totally missed it, I don't remember hearing a big hub-bub from the Catholic community on that subject.

Crosses and Stars of David could be used and placed anywhere, just as long as there is no protests. It is really hard for the Judeo-Christian community to even grasp that Hindus may take offense to their cultural and religious images being used haphazardly with no regard to the respect due to these images! They simply don't understand because I would guess they don't have something parallel to it in their own religious teaching.

However, it may still help to ask them to think of their icons, such as Lord Jesus or the Virgin Mary being placed on those items - would they be totally "O.K" with it?

The problem is, if it is a lunch box, a bag, a purse, an article of clothings, etc, chances are they would say they are "totally OK" with it! Maybe if it is more like a toilet seat cover, you may get mixed reaction. The person who produced "Sitting Pretty" toilet seat covers seems to have had no trouble in putting the image of Virgin Mary! But others may take offense to that.

Another thing you could say is probably "the image is sacred to us, Hindu. It is to be treated only with the utmost respect."

They may still don't understand it, but at least they would get the "gut feelings" level of Hindus' feeling that they had been disrespected, though unknowingly by Non-Hindus.

Again, there is no solution - only ways to cope with these situations!

Pranaam,
Sarasvati

Unfortunately, I live in a part of the U.S. where I don't know if that would even work with all people. I remember seeing a post on another thread from someone saying "I am interested in Hinduism, New Age, etc." This is typical of a lot of people in my town -- they think Hinduism, Chinese medicine, Buddhism, and all kinds of "Easternisms" are just a cool, groovy thing -- just like New Ageism. I actually heard someone at a party say once, "Buddhism isn't really a religion, it's more like a way of life." They see only the outer trappings of our religions and beliefs, like the funky South Indian temples, and the nice-smelling incense, and they think they've got it. It's like learning the postures of yoga but never grasping anything about devotion. These people think I should be flattered that Ganesh was on a lunchbox, because it just prooves how cool and popular he is! And many of them are equally superficial about other things, like their country or the religion they were raised in, so they wouldn't necessarily care if someone put the flag on a pair of panties, or Jesus on a pair of shoes. In fact, I see things like that all the time around here. I would be very offended if I were extremely patriotic, or a Christian. But I feel like a person raised Christian, for example, can desecrate their own religion if they want to. I just want them to leave mine alone!

Post deleted by Shaivite

SevaShakti: Watch what you are writing about South Indian temples here! Being a hindu that is not very nice.

you wrote:
"They see only the outer trappings of our religions and beliefs, like the ***funky South Indian temples, and the nice-smelling incense, and they think they've got it"

FUNKY? what the heck do you insult them like that for?

I am sure Harrod and others like him were attempting to break-down the beliefs and structure of Hindhus. In a strange way, perhaps the energy of Ganesh was necessary to help their bodies, minds and souls. Anyone who can buy a pair of panties with Ganesha picture on it obviously has a lot of crap in them to clean up. The toilet seat...hmmm...what kind of creature would buy a toilet seat with a picture of Ganesha? Someone who needs a lot of help. As for the person that makes and sells these items, only God knows.

I don't see anything wrong with having the picture on a lunch box or on a tee shirt. The food that goes into our bodies to nourish us is in thelunch, it would be an honour to have Ganesh bless it by being on the lunch box. A tee shirt or sweater covers our Heart Chakra so having a picture of Ganesh covering our Heart Chakra would protect it as well as purify it. I don't see anything wrong with this.

Getting angry about this only makes things worse. Ganesh can take care of himself.

It's sadly true that something so important and divine can be used by some punk company to make money. I'm however confused as to whether any gods or goddesses on clothing is wrong. Doesn't the website advertise hindu T-shirts on it's main page? Is that wrong? If you're wearing it in a respectful manner?

It has a very easy solution. Don't buy or accept items (even calenders etc.) that have photos, pictures and paintings of any gods or goddesses on them.