I was just wondering what you guys think about the caste system...does it play a role in deciding who you'll marry? If it does, why does it matter? If it doesn't, then why doesn't it matter? I'm just curious about other people's views on this topic.

Yes, in cases of Marriages, caste indeed matters, for MOST of the Hindu people, including me. Because-

(1) First of all, in your marriage, it is extremely important, how your spouse looks. Now, In General, if your spouse is from a higher caste (compared to yours), then he/she will be generally better looking compared to you. If he/she is from a lower caste, then he/she will look inferior compared to you (in general). In first case, you are not able for your spouse. In second case, your spouse is not able for you. So for optimality, we go for our own caste (or a caste close to our rank).Surely there are exceptions, but still caste helps us to refine our search for spouse.

(2) If you go for intellect, physical-strength, behaviour, thoughts and other charecteristics, then also the reason is same as I stated in (1). Note that, the last two charecteristics (behaviour, thought) are non-hierarchical (can not be ranked), but the pattern of behaviour or thought are observed to be homogeneous within a caste (at least in rural society). For example, Some castes are consideres as too clever, some are too selfish, some are honest, depending on the professions related to the caste. It is observed that, even after being detached from the profession for generations, their nature does not changes. So marrying within your own caste gives you some amount of security.

(3) Though Islam is an egalatorian religion, Muslims often prefer to marry within closed blood relations, due to the same cause, that I mentioned in (1) and (2). But marrying within closed blood relation, can produce handicapped children. So for optimality, we (Hindus) have caste system, so that your spouse is neither your close relative, nor a very distant person. Distant blood relations are entertained in Hindu marriages (specially in my own caste group).

Chandan Pal,
Kolkata.

kiran: There is no caste system in Hinduism, but only VARNA system per our ancient Hindu scriptures. VARNA means occupations only. The roles played by people thru many vocations or jobs that they hold to make a living.

I hope this is clear to you now.

It is mostly a matter of compatiblity issue/s that a high Varna person may not marry someone from a lower varna. It is there even in USA TODAY!

John Ashcraft, our Attorney general for USA (dept of justice) will not date or marry someone who is a dalit, a pooper-scooper from say who lives in India or even here!
Why? That honorable attorney G has nothing in common w a janitor who does menial work of cleaning toilets or sweeping and cleaning or changing hospital bed pans! He is in BRAHMIN VARNA, whereby he interprets the laws and make sure everyone is treated in a Justful way w full justice and liberty for all in USA of today!
(Though prisoners in Guantanamobay are exceptions to his justice dept rules...LOL:)

NOw tell me, if you are a professor or a research scholar in a high University w jazz music, golf playing, swinging w other people, art and painting of picasso lover, etc....will you even date or look at me over here, ( I am assuming we both are of the opposite genders and single just for pretend examples only) who is a USA DALIT, a pooper scooper of disabled kid? I do that for free and voluntarily every single day!

Hows that?

Please reply. IN Reality, I am a mother of two kids who lives in USA and has been a devout hindu for the past 25 years now. I just want to make sure you remember this. LOL:)

BTW, are you a man or a woman? It is hard to tell by the name for me. Forgive my ignorance here...hahaha

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Post deleted by Shaivite

Imagine, if you have somehow abolished the caste system from Hindu society. Then what will happen? Then the stratification system that will dominate on us is 'class system', the system based on your economic status only, that is dominant in Muslim and Christian countries.

In India both 'caste system' and 'class system' are there, but in a competeting equilibrium. Say, A has better caste than B, but B has better economic status than A. As both the system are present, neither A can completely dominate over B, nor B can completely dominate over A. But if you completely remove 'caste-system', then the other system will be dominant, and thus B will have complete dominance over A. And thus all the power will be concentrated towards one calss of people only, and which will lead to centralisation. Do you want centralisation in our society.

Notice that, the religions like Islam and Christianity, who does not believe in caste system, are monotheist. What is the relation between their monotheism and castelessness? The answer is that, the monotheism that they follows is not the Vedic Monotheism of ours, but their monotheism is a manifestation of Centralisation. This Centralisation is achieved by a casteless society, as I earlier described. Even communism also believes in Centralisation.

It is right that the caste system is corrupted these days. But removal of caste system will lead to further pathetic results. So it is our duty to make caste system, free from corruptions, not to abolish the caste-system. If you appendix is damaged you can remove it, but if you heart is damagaed can you remove it?

Chandan Pal,
Kolkata.

Shaivaite: I can understand your frustrations here very well.

you wrote:
"I am for the true Hindu caste system if and only if society would choose to implement it. I am against today's Indian caste system as it is both evading the issues of the world as well as falling into the same traps as I described above. When you take love, spiritualism, and wisdom out of a society, you have a growing problem. Today's caste system and society at large is like a fire in a crowded movie theater. No one thinks, no one cares, the world just panicks and runs around aimlessly stepping on their brothers and sisters and only caring about themselves. The only focus in life is whoever dies with the most toys wins.

My philosophy is either shape up or ship out. The caste system is not shaping up so it needs to be done away with. Enough said"

THe ONLY solution to this problem is good communication and education thru communications.

TO do that, you need to establish one LINGO FRANCA INDICA first. There must be only one language for all official use in India thru out all states there! If every one, (even dalits in all villages) spoke only English or HIndi then it may work for that govt to create a so called perfect system where everyone will understand their job descriptions and roles that they are supposed to play.

The west had done that, w PANNINI's guidance during biblical times. ROME was the first country to do that w thier language. Then greeks also did it.

Now it is time for India to make sure all people speak, read, write Hindi or take up English as official language.

It is their decision, NOT ours from USA. They need to see the need for such a drastic change. If they don't feel the need to reform or improve their quality of life by such measures (sacrifice all languages for one reason, because the west wants it that way!) then the west can't push her ways to those people. That is highly counterproductive and evil as they would say so.

you also wrote:
"More security equals less freedom. More freedom equals less security. I'd rather have freedom and responsibility than to have security and slavery"

What do you call that PATRIOT ACT now they have in place? Do you agree w that or not? W all the freedom principle, why do we need that? Why can't let all people do or say whatever they want to?

Freedom according to Hinduism always mentioned about "SETTING LIMITS". Is Patriot act doing that? NOPE. It harasses all "foreign born nationals" or naturalized citizens as they all become suspects under this new law. Look at all those who are held in Guantanomobay now! Islam is considered to be an evil religion by christians who formulated this act now. They persecute them w this act, w/o any reasons. It gives full right to check your personal belongings or intrude your privacy w/o any warrant or notice prior to doing it by law enforcement or homeland security staff. I have nothing to hide, but I still prefer that they inform people before violating their personal "ZONE" or privacy issues. That is not real freedom in USA. What the hell are you talking about now?

FREEDOM w/o limits is not slavery or insecurity! There is a reason for everything, but you can not violate civil liberties which are fundamental aspect for a free society.

Where is JOHN EDWARDS when I need him to explain this much better now?!

go figure. You are not just going to ramble and rant about things, w/o looking at the root problems. Are you?

Chandan: you wrote:
"It is right that the caste system is corrupted these days"

so is all occupational strata in western blocks and in all countries. They may deny it, but it exists and that is the reason we have "LABOR UNIONS" designed or formulated as in Communist or marxist block fashion! Justice and freedom w liberties for all people is what Communists advocated thru thier protests and demonstrations in former U.S.S. R! or eastern block nations. They are still there though on the surface they call themselves as democrazy countries now! LOL:)

What is wrong w standing up for your rights/privileges, freedom, justice and liberties, CIvil rights of equal opportunities for all people in USA or in India now?

I think, they are perfectly okay.

But removal of caste system will lead to further pathetic results. So it is our duty to make caste system, free from corruptions, not to abolish the caste-system"