Ciril J Thundiyil's Quora answers: October 2016

Sunday, 2 October 2016

What is Spiritual Quotient(SQ)? What are some examples of a high/low SQ?

Scientists contend that the full picture of human intelligence can be completed with a discussion of our spiritual intelligence – SQ for short.

Spiritual intelligence is the ability to understand that human beings have a need for meaning, value and a sense of worth in what they do.

Neither animals or computers can ask WHY we have these rules or this situation, or whether either could be different or better.They work within boundaries, playing a' finite game'

SQ allows humans to be creative, to seek answers to fundamental questions & play an 'infinite' game.The Spiritual Quotient (SQ) is the sum of our Intellectual Quotient (IQ) and Emotional Quotient (EQ).

And mathematically,

Spiritual Quotient (SQ) = Intellectual Quotient (IQ) + Emotional Quotient (EQ).

Indicators of High SQ

Self-awareness
Flexibility and adaptability
Ability and capacity to face, use and transcend pain and suffering.
Vision
Values
Wisdom not to harm or hurt others and self
Holistic approach and views
Appetite for seeking answers to fundamental questions by using "why" and "what if"
Courage to work against conventions if necessary.

Reference

Spiritual Quotient

A Conceptual analysis of Spiritual Intelligence and its Relavance

How can I become more introverted?

Personality is a set of traits that define the way a person's behavior is perceived.

Yes, it is possible to change from extroversion to introversion.

First, it’s very rare that people are 100% extroverted or introverted, we are Ambiverts. Extroverts aren’t all social butterflies, and introverts aren’t necessarily shy. In fact, the extraversion-introversion divide isn’t about personality at all. The distinction is defined by where people get their energy from -- other people, or solitude. Introverts gain energy by being alone, while extroverts are invigorated by social situations.

Introverts tend to enjoy quiet concentration, listen more than they talk, and think before they speak,and have a more circumspect and cautious approach to risk.Introverts think more, are less reckless and focus on what really matters—relationships and meaningful work.

You can make yourself act in ways you don't like and get used to it. It involves self deceiving to a great extend. You do things against your wish and your happiness, but gradually you might start enjoying it.

So what is the action plan

Be a good listener, talk less.
Be self-sufficient
Be super focused
Be very observant
Be trustworthy
Be in touch with their feelings
Be thought-provoking when you start talking.
Enjoy Solitude
Have Few, but very loyal friendships
The best thinking occurs when you’re by yourself.
Constantly running inner monologue

If by doing all this, people often describe You as Quiet and May Find It Difficult to Get to Know You, you have succeeded.

Chances are high that your peers feel you have gone mad.

Introverts and extroverts are best at what they are. To accept ones own self and making it better is the best option. A person can gradually change , but if done suddenly it might

1. Create dilemma within oneself, live a fake identity.

2. Peer group(family and friends)might feel something has gone wrong.

3. More of acting than a change

Are Kerala Brahmins Aryans?

The Nambudiri Brahmins, also transliterated Namboothiri, are Hindu Brahmins from the Indian state of Kerala. For centuries they held a dominating influence in all matters in the region, be it religion, politics, society, economics or culture.

Nambudiri mythology associates their immigration to Kerala from the banks of Narmada, Krishna and Kaveri rivers with the legendary creation of Kerala by Parasurama, an avatar of Vishnu.

Cyriac Pullapilly has noted a theory that the Nambudiris are associated by some with the development of the caste system in Kerala,

Pullapilly refers to other theories also but of this one he says that although Brahmin influences had existed in the area since at least the 1st-century AD, there was a large influx of these people from around the 8th-century when they acted as priests, counsellors and ministers to local kings and worked as advisors. They also prpagated the Vedic religion to the locales. The namboodri Brahmins also fought against the invaders like British. The origins of Malayalam as a language is also attributed to the Nambudiri Brahamin's mixing of Sanskrit and the local Tamil language. Their dominating influence was to be found in all matters: religion, politics, society, economics and culture.

The Nambudiri Brahmin tradition which limited the extent of marriage within their own caste led to the practice of hypergamy with the Nair community.

Hence the Namboothiri’s which we see today have nair ancestory. We cant say for sure if they are Aryans 100%.

How do religious people (think to) know they believe in the "right" religion?

Faith is strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.

………

This is the answer given by Matt Spotts, SJ

Devout atheists or agnostic friends phrase the question in evidential terms: “What exactly do you mean when you talk about this ‘God’ in which I’m supposed to believe?” (See a philosopher for details. Or maybe Colbert, I reply). Other friends fill the question with curiosity, lifting the tone at the ends of their phrases. For this group, it’s not that they think I’m crazy, or inventing things, it seems like there’s a desire to understand in them but without a frame of reference for the language that I’m using. When they hear me talk about spiritual direction or my own experiences of God, they’re just not quite sure what I mean. And this strikes me as a crucial question. If people aren’t quite sure what an experience of God looks like, why would they bother to go looking for it? And how would they know it if it happened?

I’m not quite sure what my answer was to my friend years ago. I think I babbled something about “peace” and “joy” and “presence,” but I honestly can’t remember. The bluntness of her question just surprised me a little too much at the time, and I strongly suspect that I met her sincere, honest, difficult question with some kind of pat answer. With time and a lot of spiritual growth between that question and now, I’d answer that question very differently today.

Today I might say that an experience of God is like being with a lover. God searches me out and captures my attention. God allures and captivates me. God knows my moods and my whims – and seeks me out anyway. God can tantalize me, leave me hungry for more, but God can also cradle me and just gaze on me, seeing past my faults and ridiculousness, not because God doesn’t know they are there, but because God is just too interested in me.

I might say that an experience of God is like being with a dear friend. God and I sit together in silence and watch the sunrise; we idly chat about the day. We get frustrated with each other, hurt each other and make up again. We laugh together – over and over again, we laugh – and we talk about our joys, our hopes and our concerns. We talk about our dreams for our future together and about the injury that keeps me from running.

I might say that an experience of God is like an experience of a mother. God knows me too well to be fooled by my public face, and knows the complicated moods that swim underneath. God is universally interested in my ideas, hopes and worries. No matter how silly. God is like a father, too, encouraging and proud, not because what I’ve managed to do is anything particularly special, but because he’s blindly, totally thrilled with who I am.

God is like a sibling, a mentor, a teacher, a role model, a coworker, a grandparent, a leader, and a servant. God is all of these things, and none of these things, because God is who I’ve been drawn into a relationship with. God is a person, not a sensation, and asking what experience of God is like is a little like asking what a relationship is like. Even if I could answer, my answer would only tell of love and pain, delight and struggle. But still it is.

If I could see this friend today, if I had another shot at answering her sincere, frustrated question, I might say: a relationship, that’s what God feels like. For now, at least. For starters.

“But What Does it Even Mean to Experience God?!”

Can I believe in God and still exist in a secular country respected?

Seems you are mistook secularization for secularism. Though they might sound the same they are not.

Secularism is the principle of the separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries.

A secular state is a concept of secularism, whereby a state or country purports to be officially neutral in matters of religion, supporting neither religion nor irreligion

Now what is Secularization

Secularization refers to the historical process in which religion loses social and cultural significance. As a result of secularization the role of religion in modern societies becomes restricted. In secularized societies faith lacks cultural authority, and religious organizations have little social power.

What is the relationship between secularism, the state policy; and secularisation, the social process?

Most conversations tend to confuse the two, moving from one to the other. However, we don't really have a clear map of how the two are related to each other. Does the adoption of secularism as a policy lead to the process of secularisation in society? Or is it the other way round? Is it possible that groups such as the Islamists who oppose secularism may be, inadvertently perhaps, facilitating secularisation?The general understanding about the relationship between secularism and secularisation is based on a reified reading of European history. The potted version would run something like this: "Once the Catholic church was challenged there was a lot of fighting and eventually people decided that tolerance is the best way forward. They also realised that the most convenient way to operationalise tolerance would be to separate church and state, public and private spheres." There are many problems with this narrative, including questions of historical accuracy, as well as immense variations and reversals in the European experience. However, it is important here to note that in this version secularism and secularisation seem to have developed together.Paradoxically, for the world beyond Europe the policy prescriptive has been the opposite. Since the late colonial period – and particularly for predominantly Muslim societies today – the policy dogma has been that the adoption of secularism as a state project will lead to the process of secularisation.

But secularism as a separation of church (religion) and state does not make ready sense in societies where there was no hierarchical, structured church that had inherited an empire's state apparatus as the Roman Catholic church had in Europe. In the various versions of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism etc there has been no one clerical figure vested with the kind of power and authority that the pope excersised over domains now assumed within the modern state.Secularisation is not just the increase or decrease in visible markers of religiosity or in church attendance, but also a fundamental shift in religious belief towards rationalisation and objectification.

Works about secularism and secularization have been scattered over time and region, with the greatest concentration covering the "secularization thesis," most popular in Great Britain, which posited a steady progress of secularization, which has not since occurred outside Western Europe. India, where secularism is a central political issue, has seen more varied literature on the subject. Many works relevant to secularism and secularization are centered on different concepts.

1. Secularization

2. Secularism

3.The difference between secularism and secularisation | Humeira Iqtidar

4. Secularization and Secularism - History And Nature Of Secularization And Secularism To 1914, Secularism And Its Opponents Since 1914, BibliographyWritten Jul 5

Does practicing yoga go against Catholicism?

YES,

YOGA GOES AGAINST CATHOLIC FAITH.

The ultimate goal of Yoga is moksha (liberation, in Hinduism), although the exact definition of what form this takes depends on the philosophical or theological system with which it is conjugated.Yoga is considered as a philosophical school in Hinduism.

Yoga, is one of the six āstika schools of Hinduism (those which accept the Vedas as source of knowledge).

Holy Yoga practitioners exchange the classical mantra om (a Hindu symbol for the higher self) for the more biblical shalom (Hebrew, “peace”).

The Trouble with Yoga

………………………………

2. Yoga: What the Catechism says

YOUCAT, the Youth, CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2011

#355:

“You shall not have strange Gods before me”. What does that mean?

This commandment forbids us:

. To adore other gods and pagan deities or to worships an earthly idol or to devote oneself entirely to some earthly good (money, influence, success, beauty, youth, and so on)

. To be superstitious, which means to adhere to esoteric, magic, or occult or New Age practices or to get involved with fortune telling or spiritualism, instead of believing in God’s power, providence, and -> BLESSINGS

. To provoke God by word or deed

. To commit a -> SACRILEGE

. To acquire spiritual power through corruption and desecrate what is holy through trafficking (simony). [2110-2128, 2138-2140]

#356:

Is esotericism as found, for example in New Age belief, compatible with the Christian faith?

No. ->ESOTERICISM ignores the reality of God. God is a personal Being; he is love and the origin of life, not some cold cosmic energy. Man was willed and created by God, but man himself is not divine; rather, he is a creature that is wounded by sin, threatened by death, and in need of redemption. Whereas most proponents of esotericism assume that man can redeem himself, Christians believe that only Jesus Christ and God’s grace redeem them. Nor are nature and the cosmos God (-> PANTHEISM). Rather, the creator, even though he loves us immensely, is infinitely greater and unlike anything he has created. [2110-2128]

Many people today practice yoga for health reasons, enroll in a -> MEDITATION course so as to become more calm and collected, or attend dance workshops so as to experience their bodies in a new way. These techniques are not always harmless. Often they are vehicles for doctrines that are foreign to Christianity. No reasonable person should hold an irrational world view, in which people can tap magical powers or harness mysterious spirits and the “initiated” have a secret knowledge that is withheld from the “ignorant”. In ancient Israel, the surrounding peoples’ beliefs in gods and spirits were exposed as false. God alone is Lord; there is no god besides him. Nor is there any (magical) technique by which one can capture or charm “the divine”, force one’s wishes on the universe, or redeem oneself. Much about these esoteric beliefs and practices is -> SUPERSTITION or -> OCCULTISM

……………………………

POPE FRANCIS ON YOGA

“You can follow thousands of catechism courses, thousands of spirituality courses, thousands of yoga or zen courses and all these things,” his papalsty said. “But none of this will be able to give you the freedom as a child (of God). Only the Holy Spirit can prompt your heart to say ‘Father.’ Only the Holy Spirit is capable of banishing, of breaking that hardness of heart and making it … ‘docile’. Docile towards the Lord. Docile when it comes to the freedom to love.”

“Pope Francis said ‘do not seek spiritual answers in yoga classes’. Yoga is certainly a risk. There’s the spiritual health risk,”

“The bad spirit can be communicated in a variety of ways,” Colhoun added. “I’m not saying everyone gets it, or that it happens every time, and people may well be doing yoga harmlessly, but there’s always a risk and that’s why the Pope mentioned it and that’s why we talk about that in terms of the danger of the new age movement and the danger of the occult today. That’s the fear.”

Pope Francis’ Subtle Yoga Diss Fuels Yogaphobia in Catholic Church

……………………………………

Vatican's chief exorcist warns that practicing yoga is 'satanic

Is yoga about worshiping Hindu gods, or is it about engaging in advanced stretching and exercise?

At its roots, yoga is said to have originated from the ancient worship of Hindu gods, with the various poses representing unique forms of paying homage to these entities. From this, other religions such as Catholicism and Christianity have concluded that the practice is out of sync with their own, and that it may result in demonic spirits entering a person's body.

Others contend that yoga practice is really more focused on advanced stretching moves and physical exercise, and that it can bring about healing and improved well-being such as improved core strength, better circulation and reduced stress. The intent of the person doing yoga, rather than yoga itself, in other words, is what defines the extent of how the practice influences a person's being and soul.

But Father Truqui sees yoga as being satanic, claiming that "it leads to evil just like reading Harry Potter." And in order to deal with the consequences of this, his religion has had to bring on an additional six exorcists, bringing the total number to 12, just to deal with what he says is a 100% rise in the number of requests for exorcisms over the past 15 years.

…………………………………..

Gabriel Amorth

Father Gabriele Amorth, who for years was the Vatican’s chief exorcist and claims to have cleansed hundreds of people of evil spirits, said yoga is Satanic because it leads to a worship of Hinduism and “all eastern religions are based on a false belief in reincarnation”.

In 1999, six years before he succeeded John Paul II as Pope, he issued a document which warned Roman Catholics of the dangers of yoga, Zen, transcendental meditation and other 'eastern’ practises.

They could “degenerate into a cult of the body” that debases Christian prayer, the document said.

Yoga poses could create a feeling of well-being in the body but it was erroneous to confuse that with “the authentic consolations of the Holy Spirit,” the document said.

Vatican Chief Exorcist Calls Yoga and Harry Potter “Satanic’

……………………..

I am a Indian Catholic and most of the Christians I know don’t practice yoga. Most the non-Hindu’s(Muslims, and Christians) don’t practice it either as it goes against their faith.

Is Yoga a modern religion?

Yes,

Yoga is not merely a meditation style it is part of Hinduism,the oldest religion in the world. I am a Indian Catholic and I don’t practice Yoga for the same reason.

The ultimate goal of Yoga is moksha (liberation in Hinduism and Hindu philosophy), although the exact definition of what form this takes depends on the philosophical or theological system with which it is conjugated.

According to Jacobsen, "Yoga has five principal meanings:

Yoga, as a disciplined method for attaining a goal;
Yoga, as techniques of controlling the body and the mind;
Yoga, as a name of one of the schools or systems of philosophy (darśana);
Yoga, in connection with other words, such as "hatha-, mantra-, and laya-," referring to traditions specialising in particular techniques of yoga;
Yoga, as the goal of Yoga practice.

Classical Yoga

Yoga is considered as a philosophical school in Hinduism.

Yoga, is one of the six āstika schools of Hinduism (those which accept the Vedas as source of knowledge).

Due to the influence of Vivekananda, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are nowadays considered as the foundational scripture of classical yoga, a status which it only acquired in the 20th century.

Before the twentieth century, other works were considered as the most central works, such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Vasistha, while Tantric Yoga and Hatha Yoga prevailed over Ashtanga Yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga

Yoga as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali refers to Ashtanga Yoga.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is considered as a central text of the Yoga school of Hindu philosophy,

It is often called "Rāja yoga", "yoga of the kings," a term which originally referred to the ultimate, royal goal of yoga, which is usually samadhi, But was popularised by Vivekananda as the common name for Ashtanga Yoga.

What is a good career for an extrovert who likes to be active?

Extrovert/ introvert is just one aspect in career decision making. The terms introversion and extraversion come from Personality types put forward by Carl Jung.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE?

The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) helps to understand the theory of psychological types described by Carl. Jung (1921/1971) and make it useful in people's lives. It is an introspective self-report questionnaire.

Personality Type Explained

HOW TO IDENTIFY THE BEST CAREER MATCH?

The Holland Code/Inventory is one of the most helpful career interest tests/tools available. It includes six interest themes described by John Holland and the Strong Interest Inventory. These include the Realistic (R), Investigative (I), Artistic (A), Social (S), Enterprising (E), and Conventional (C) domains, or “RIASEC” for short. After identifying your preferred interest domains, these letters can be combined in a way to form a multi-letter “Holland Code” (e.g., AIS, SIA, IRA). This can help individuals identify their best career match.

How to be more specific and pinpoint your ideal Career?

Take the Holland codes, and combined them with the Myers-Briggs personality test. Then, analyze the job categories and came up with a more specific result.

The relation between Holland Code and Myers–Briggs Type Indicator

Holland Code (RIASEC) Career Interests & Myers-Briggs Types

What is a good career for an extrovert who likes to be active?

Extrovert/ introvert is just one aspect in career decision making. The terms introversion and extraversion come from Personality types put forward by Carl Jung.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE?

Personality Type Explained

HOW TO IDENTIFY THE BEST CAREER MATCH?

How to be more specific and pinpoint your ideal Career?

Take the Holland codes, and combined them with the Myers-Briggs personality test. Then, analyze the job categories and came up with a more specific result.

The relation between Holland Code and Myers–Briggs Type Indicator

Holland Code (RIASEC) Career Interests & Myers-Briggs Types

What is the best advice your father ever gave you?

Nothing should be able to buy you(tempt). Not food, money, position, women

How does Nilavilakku, the traditional Indian lamp, get its shape?

“The Nilavilakku denotes the Hindu trinity of Brahma/Vishnu/Shiva. The base represents Brahma, the stem represents Vishnu, the head represents Shiva, the wicks represent Parvathi and the heat represents Lakshmi. This is the meaning of the Hindu lamp. The Hindu lamp is so beautiful in concept and design.”

Etymology- ‘nilam’ in the Malayalam language means ground and vilakku means lamp. The word stems from the older cognate Tamil language. == Nilavilakku usage == The Nilavilakku is integral to all rituals and ceremonies in a traditional Malayali Hindu family

In Hindu households, by around evening time, it is a ritual that the young girls should light it and keep it in the veranda of the house after which the whole family will offer their evening prayers being seated adjacent to the lamp by chanting hymns and holy verses. Most Hindu art forms are performed after lighting Nilavilakku.

Like most other Hindu religious symbols later turning out to become identities of patriotism and Indian culture, Nilavilakku too has now become an integral part of most governmental, formal and informal ceremonies in Kerala and elswhere.

NilaVilakku or Oil Lamps are usually lit during the transition period(sandhikal). The transition period (Sandhikal) is the period of 48 minutes, that is, two Ghatikas, before the sunrise and after the sunset. The transition period is Raja-Tama predominant. Influence of negative energies is more in this period. To get protection from these,Dharma has given importance to abiding by Conducts (Acharpalan) in this period. Scriptures have described various Conducts (Achars) to be performed in the evening, so that there are good impressions (Sanskars) on man and he becomes equipped with good Achars, he is able to perform spiritual practice (Sadhana) in addition to getting protection from the negative energies.

*After lighting the lamp Hindu’s chant the following shloka or prayer:::

"Deepajyothi Parabrahma, Deepajyothi Janardhana, Deepo me hara tu paapam, Deepa Jyothir Namostute "

meaning : I salute the Brahman, the sustainer of the creation, in the form of this light. I salute the Lord, may He destroy afflictions resulting from my omissions and commissions.

Cotton Wicks and their significance:

Single wick (Eka Mukha Deepam) for normal benefit.
Two wicks (Dwimukha deepam) brings harmony and peace in the family and relatives.
Three wicks (Trimukha Deepam) Blesses with progeny.
Four wicks (Chathurmukha deepam) brings allround prosperity and Sumptuous food.
Five wicks (Panchamkukha deepam) showers akhanda aishwaryam or Wealth.
Six wicks (Shanmukha deepam) blesses with Akhanda Gyana (Knowledge) & Vairagyam (Renunciation).

Though most of Anglo-Indians are descendents of the Portuguese why are they called so ?

Article 366(2) of the Indian Constitution defines Anglo-Indian as:

(2) an Anglo Indian means a person whose father or any of whose other male progenitors in the male line is or was of European descent but who is domiciled within the territory of India and is or was born within such territory of parents habitually resident therein and not established there for temporary purposes only;

Luso-Indian

Luso-Indian is a subgroup ethnicity from Luso-Asians and are people who have mixed varied Indian subcontinent and Portuguese ancestry or people of Portuguese descent born or living in the Republic of India and the world. Most of them live in former Portuguese overseas territories of the Estado da India which are currently a part of the newly formed independent nation as a Union in 1947 called the Republic of India from British raj. Luso-Asians of the Indian subcontinent are primarily from Goa, Daman and Diu, Korlai, Silvassa, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

When exactly does life start in human development?

The view that life begins at fertilization reached acceptance from mainstream sources at one point.

In 1967, New York City school officials launched a large sex education program. The fifth grade text book stated "Human life begins when the sperm cells of the father and the egg cells of the mother unite. This union is referred to as fertilization. For fertilization to take place and a baby to begin growing, the sperm cell must come in direct contact with the egg cell."

Similarly, a text book used in Evanston, Illinois stated: "Life begins when a sperm cell and an ovum (egg cell) unite."

Why do Catholics pray to St. Anthony for lost things?

Prayer cards manufactured in Italy identify him as the saint of "miracles," but to most Catholics, he is the Patron Saint associated with the return of lost articles and missing persons. He is petitioned for help in finding almost everything that is lost, from car keys and misplaced papers to a lost job, a lost lover, or s straying partner.

This attribution comes from an incident where a novice carried off a valuable psalter St. Anthony was using. St. Anthony prayed very hard that the psalter would be found. After seeing an alarming apparition of St. Anthony, the novice returned the psalter. However, many suggest he is more importantly the patron of lost souls — those who have fallen to mortal sin, have abandoned the Church and have grown apathetic to the practice of the faith………..’

Refererence

What percent of Anglo-Indians have English ancestry?

Could not find any data on the percentage of different types of Anglo Indians (Europeans mixed ethnicity.)

According to the Constitution of India, a person from the Anglo-Indian community is defined as, “a person whose father or any of whose other male progenitors in the male line is or was of European descent; but who is domiciled within the territory of India, and is or was born within such territory of parents habitually resident therein and not established there for temporary purposes only.”

Luso-Indian

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Though there were initially more Portuguese surnames in Madras than British, the Anglo-Indian community in later years became remarkably ‘multinational’ on the paternal side. The following surnames are a sample:

Portuguese: D’Gama, Braganza, D’Cruz, D’Souza, D’Monte, D’Silva Alvarez, Rosario, Caubo, Fernandez, etc.

English: Smith, Brown, Murray, Cameron, Mitchell.

Irish: Murphy, Garrett, O Dath, Mahoney, O’Connor, O’Brien.

Dutch : Van Haltren, Van Hefton, Peterson.

Scottish: Maclure, Mcpherson, Fergueson, Mckay.

French: Desmier, Chatelier, La Rive, Laposte, Bonjour, Desjardins, Dique.

German: Schumacher, Frantz.

Spanish: Xavier, Castellas, Escader.

Italian: Nigli, Simento, Petrons, Reghilini.

The Armenians too later assimilated into the Anglo-Indian community (Anglo-Indian names like Peters, Philips, Lucas, Gregory, Gaulstaun, Joseph, Stephens, etc. were of Armenian origin). In many cases, Portuguese names were anglicised. For example, Henriques became Henricus, Rodrigues became Rodricks and Suares became Swaris.

Why don't atheists believe in any gods?

Believe means ‘accept that (something) is true, especially without proof.’ You don’t need factual reasons to believe. If you trust someone you tend to believe that what they say is true. Meaning to trust blindly without questioning and without any proof. Atheists are skeptical and are unable to do it.

Should I invite my female cousin to go to the lake with me (I'm a guy and live in the U.S.)?

“ We are basically best friends and spend time together at a lot of family gatherings.” is what you have mentioned.

It all depends on how you see her, and your relationship with her.

Whether you see her as your cousin(sister) or a friend???

If brother-sister bond is strong. And you see her as your sister, go ahead.

2. If it is mere friendship and the feeling of brother-sister is nonexistent,

don’t go.

You are a 23 year old and know what I mean

[Incest has grave consequences]. If there is even 1% of lust don’t go.

3. [since this question is asked, it is almost certain that you are confused].

i) If you doubt/confused on how you see her don’t go.

She is not just another girl, it is your own blood. DON’T GO

ii) If your confusion is how others perceive it, leave it to your guts.

To know more about INCEST and its Ill Effects

[The question lacks clarity; is it about what people might(society) say Or is it the feeling your for her or something else. You have left the part unanswered hence people assume according to their free will]

What percentage of Indians are vegetarian?

egetarianism, it is often assumed is the norm in India, encouraged or imposed by ideologies of religion and caste.

However, a nationwide survey, conducted by the Office of Registrar General & Census Commissioner, reveals otherwise.

According to the sample registration system (SRS) baseline survey 2014 released by the registrar general of India, 71 percent of Indians over the age of 15 are non-vegetarian. The percentage of non-vegetarians across the country however has dropped from 75 percent in 2004.

The data shows that Telangana has the highest number of non-vegetarians with 98.8 percent men and 98.6 percent women enjoying their meat, fowl and fish.

Among the other states with a high non-vegetarian population are, West Bengal (98.55%) Andhra Pradesh (98.25%), Odisha (97.35%) and Kerala (97%).

Rajasthan has the highest number of vegetarians: 73.2 percent men and 76.6 percent women. Haryana follows next with 68.5 percent men and 70 percent women on a vegetarian diet. And in Punjab, 65.5 percent of the male population and 68 percent of the female population eat vegetarian food.

The Myth of Vegetarian India: Survey Shows Over 70% Indians Eat Non-Veg, Telangana Tops List

In how many states in india beef is banned?

24 out of 29 states in India currently have various regulations prohibiting either the slaughter or sale of cows.

Cattle slaughter in India is a historically taboo subject because of the cow's traditional status as a respected creature of God in Hinduism. Dairy products are extensively used in Hindu culture and are one of the most essential nutritional components of Hindu meals. Article 48 of the Constitution of India mandates the state to prohibit the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.On October 26, 2005, the Supreme Court of India, in a landmark judgement upheld the constitutional validity of anti-cow slaughter laws enacted by different state governments in India.Kerala, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim are the states where there are no restrictions on cow slaughter(in thse states people of all religious believes consume beef).

Survey Shows Over 70% Indians Eat Non-Veg, Telangana(98%) Tops the List

States where cow slaughter is legal:

1) Kerala
No restrictions.

2) West Bengal
No restrictions.

3) Other Northeast
No ban in Arunachal, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim. In Manipur, Maharaja in 1939 decreed prosecution for cow slaughter, but beef consumed widely.

States where cow slaughter is banned:

1) Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
Slaughter of cows, calves prohibited. Bulls, bullocks can be killed against “fit-for-slaughter” certificate, issued if animals can no longer be used for breeding; draught/agricultural operations. Violators face 6 months jail and/or Rs 1,000 fine.

2) Assam
Cow slaughter banned except on issue of ‘fit-for-slaughter’ certificate, at designated places.

3) Bihar
Slaughter of cows, calves banned; of bulls, bullocks older than 15 years allowed. Violators face 6 months’ jail and/or Rs 1,000 fine.

4) Chandigarh
Killing a cow, storing/serving/eating beef banned; eating meat of buffalo, bullock, ox also banned.

5) Chhattisgarh
Slaughter of cow, buffalo, bull, bullock, calf, and possession of their meat banned. Transport, export to other states for slaughter also banned; attracts same punishment of 7 years’ jail, fine up to Rs 50,000.

6) Delhi
Slaughter of “agricultural cattle” — cow, calf, bull, bullock — and “possession of [their] flesh”, even if they are killed outside Delhi, banned. Buffaloes are not covered.

7) Gujarat
Slaughter of cow, calf, bull and bullock; transport, sale of their meat banned. Punishment: Rs 50,000 fine, up to 7 years’ jail. Ban does not include buffaloes.

8) Haryana
As per a 2015 law, “cow”, which includes bull, bullock, ox, heifer, calf, and disabled/diseased/barren cows, can’t be killed. Punishment: 3-10 years jail, fine up to Rs 1 lakh. Sale of canned beef and beef products, and export of cows for slaughter banned.

9) Himachal Pradesh
Slaughter of all bovines punishable by 5 years’ jail. Killing allowed in the interest of research, or if animal has contagious disease.

10) Jammu & Kashmir
Slaughter of cow and its progeny punishable by up to 10 years’ jail. Possession of “flesh of any [of these] slaughtered animal(s)” punishable by a year; killing of “he or she buffalo” punishable with fine five times the animal’s price.

11) Jharkhand
Slaughter of cows and oxen; possession, consumption of their meat, banned. Violators face up to 10 years’ jail and/or Rs 10,000 fine.

12) Karnataka
Cows can be slaughtered if old or diseased. Possession not a crime. Bill proposed by BJP in 2010 made slaughter punishable by 7 years’ jail and Rs 1 lakh fine, but it did not become law.

14) Madhya Pradesh
Slaughter of cow, progeny banned. Penalty raised to 7 years’ jail in 2012, burden of proof on accused. Buffaloes can be killed.

15) Maharashtra
Slaughter, consumption of meat of cow, bull, bullock banned since March 2015 after revision of existing law. 5 years’ jail and/or Rs 10,000 fine. Slaughter of buffaloes allowed.

Mizoram
No restrictions.

17) Odisha
2 years’ jail, Rs 1,000 fine for cow slaughter. Old bulls, bullocks can be killed on fit-for-slaughter certificate; cow if it suffers from contagious disease.

19) Punjab
“Beef” doesn’t include imported beef; “cow” includes bulls, bullocks, oxen, heifer, calves. Slaughter allowed for export, with government permit.

20) Rajasthan
Slaughter of “cow, calf, heifer, bull or bullock” prohibited; possession, transport of their flesh prohibited. 10 years’ imprisonment and/or Rs 10,000 fine.

21) Tamil Nadu
Cow, calf slaughter banned; up to 3 years’ jail and/or Rs 1,000 fine. Beef consumption and slaughter of economically worthless animals allowed.

22) Uttar Pradesh
Slaughter of cow, bullock, ox banned. Can’t store or eat beef. 7 years’ jail and/or Rs 10,000 fine. Can import in sealed containers, to be served to foreigners. Buffaloes can be killed.

In each state the law is different. Some states ban cattle slaughter totally, some dont ban, while in some states ban cows slaughter alone. In places where the ban exist better not go for it. Mere allegation of eating beef has lead to mob killing people. Last week people were made to eat cow dung and drink its urine.

Reference

Cattle slaughter in India

2. The states where cow slaughter is legal in India

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[Luckily I am from Kerala, no ban here]

in Kerala 97% OF THE POPULATION(all religions) ARE NON VEGETARIANS ]

‘WELCOME TO KERALA WHERE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO EAT’.

The Myth of Vegetarian India: Survey Shows Over 70% Indians Eat Non-Veg, Telangana Tops List

Why doesn't the Catholic church allow contraceptives?

In fact, when Catholics get married, this is what they say yes to before God, in their wedding vows:

"Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"

Contraception is wrong because it’s a deliberate violation of the design God built into the human race, often referred to as "natural law." The natural law purpose of sex is procreation. The pleasure that sexual intercourse provides is an additional blessing from God, intended to offer the possibility of new life while strengthening the bond of intimacy, respect, and love between husband and wife. The loving environment this bond creates is the perfect setting for nurturing children.

But sexual pleasure within marriage becomes unnatural, and even harmful to the spouses, when it is used in a way that deliberately excludes the basic purpose of sex, which is procreation. God’s gift of the sex act, along with its pleasure and intimacy, must not be abused by deliberately frustrating its natural end—procreation.

Here is what the official teaching of the Catholic Church is regarding contraception, from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2370 Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality. These methods respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them, and favor the education of an authentic freedom. In contrast, "every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible" is intrinsically evil.

What that means, of course is that Natural Family Planning and periodic abstinence are the only ways to space out births that the Church teaches are okay. Any and all artificial means are intrinsically evil, which means always evil because of their very nature.

DOES THE CHURCH TEACH THAT A COUPLE MUST HAVE AS MANY CHILDREN AS THEY PHYSICALLY CAN?

No. In decisions about family size, the married couple "will thoughtfully take into account both their own welfare and that of their children, those already born and those which may be foreseen. For this accounting they will reckon with both the material and the spiritual conditions of the times as well as of their state in life. Finally, they will consult the interests of the family group, of temporal society, and of the Church itself" (Gaudium et Spes, 50). WHAT DOES THE CHURCH TEACH ABOUT AN IDEAL FAMILY SIZE? The Church has no specific teaching about an ideal family size. As indicated previously, couples may take many factors into consideration. On the other hand, there is a general Christian warning against decision-making based solely on materialistic factors. Life is a gift to be shared, and the Christian couple are called to be generous in the service of life according to their circumstances. For example, Pope John Paul II has noted that "decisions about the number of children and the sacrifices to be made for them must not be taken only with a view to adding comfort and preserving a peaceful existence. Reflecting upon this matter before God, with the graces drawn from the Sacrament, and guided by the teaching of the Church, parents will remind themselves that it is certainly less serious to deny their children certain comforts or material advantages than to deprive them of the presence of brothers or sisters who could help them to grow in humanity and to realize the beauty of life at all ages and in all its variety."[2]

Yes, God loves making babies in unison with a married man and his wife. God loves it when you trust in Him totally to make the right decision regarding the number of kids you will have. Trusting more in chemicals and latex instead is something everyone will have to answer for one day, if they use artificial birth control.

There has even been evidence that artificial birth control agents are being slipped into vaccines for other diseases, so that the side effect is sterilization, and that is a really shocking thing.

1 Timothy 2:15: Yet woman will be saved through bearing children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.

Luke 23:29: For behold, the days are coming when they will say, `Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never gave suck!'

Genesis 9:1: And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.

Psalm 127:4-5:

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Reference

What is the difference between secularism and secularization?

The terms secularization and secularism have had a variety of meanings since they were coined; "secularization" in the mid-seventeenth century and "secularism" in the mid-nineteenth, both incorporating the word secular. "Secular," from the Latin "saeculum," a generation or age, originally referred to secular clergy who were not in a monastic order. It also came to refer to the worldly realm. Secularism is used here in two current senses—an emphasis on the this-worldly rather than the other-worldly, and what is called in the United States as the "separation of church and state." In Latin countries terms based on laic imply stronger state controls, based on their history of struggles with the Catholic Church.

Secularization involves both increasing state control of spheres formerly controlled by religious institutions and the expansion and freedom from religious control of nonreligious institutions, both state and private, and comprising education, social welfare, law, publication and the media, and forums for the expression of belief and action. In some areas, notably Turkey and communist countries, there has been state control of religion, rather than separation of church and state, and it is unclear if such countries should be called secular. Every secular country has a different version of secularism, and none of them has an absolute separation of church and state. Secularism involves belief in the priority of this-worldly considerations, and an end to religious doctrinal influence on law, education, and welfare, and the need for equal treatment of various beliefs and believers. To its opponents secularism often implies unbelief, a sense also included in some dictionaries but denied by most secularists, whether or not they are believers.

Secularism has also involved egalitarian political and social treatment of religious minorities and unbelievers, which had not been true of either Protestant or Catholic majorities, while Islam had a place for minorities but an unequal one. The major Asian religions have traditionally been more religiously tolerant and have had fewer struggles over secularism.

The terms secularism and secularization are related to each other at some social and conceptual levels, but it is important to distinguish between them because they do not refer to the same thing. Both terms can be construed as identifying perspectives, beliefs, and values that are characteristic of a particular society and its cultural history, and each term draws its meaning in part by juxtaposition with the phenomenon of religion. Practically everything about secularism and secularization is a matter of dispute among scholars who investigate such matters; hardly any position or perspective passes as uncontested.

Secularization is the transformation of a society from close identification with religious values and institutions toward nonreligious values and secular institutions. The secularization thesis refers to the belief that as societies progress, particularly through modernization and rationalization, religion loses its authority in all aspects of social life and governance.The term secularization is also used in the context of the lifting of the monastic restrictions from a member of the clergy.

Definitions

John Somerville (1998) outlined six uses of the term secularization in the scientific literature. The first five are more along the lines of 'definitions' while the sixth is more of a 'clarification of use':

When discussing macro social structures, secularization can refer to differentiation: a process in which the various aspects of society, economic, political, legal, and moral, become increasingly specialized and distinct from one another.
When discussing individual institutions, secularization can denote the transformation of a religious into a secular institution. Examples would be the evolution of institutions such as Harvard University from a predominantly religious institution into a secular institution (with a divinity school now housing the religious element illustrating differentiation).
When discussing activities, secularization refers to the transfer of activities from religious to secular institutions, such as a shift in provision of social services from churches to the government.
When discussing mentalities, secularization refers to the transition from ultimate concerns to proximate concerns. E.g., individuals in the West are now more likely to moderate their behavior in response to more immediately applicable consequences rather than out of concern for post-mortem consequences. This is a personal religious decline or movement toward a secular lifestyle.
When discussing populations, secularization refers to broad patterns of societal decline in levels of religiosity as opposed to the individual-level secularization of (4) above. This understanding of secularization is also distinct from (1) above in that it refers specifically to religious decline rather than societal differentiation.
When discussing religion, secularization can only be used unambiguously to refer to religion in a generic sense. For example, a reference to Christianity is not clear unless one specifies exactly which denominations of Christianity are being discussed.

Abdel Wahab Elmessiri (2002) outlined two meanings of the secularization term:

Partial Secularization: which is the common meaning of the word, and expresses "The separation between religion and state".
Complete Secularization: this definition is not limited to the partial definition, but exceeds it to "The separation between all (religion, moral, and human) values, and (not just the state) but also to (the human nature in its public and private sides), so that the holiness is removed from the world, and this world is transformed into a usable matter that can be employed for the sake of the strong".

Secularism is the principle of the separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries. One manifestation of secularism is asserting the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, or, in a state declared to be neutral on matters of belief, from the imposition by government of religion or religious practices upon its people.

Another manifestation of secularism is the view that public activities and decisions, especially political ones, should be uninfluenced by religious beliefs and/or practices.

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What is the relationship between secularism, the state policy; and secularisation, the social process? Most conversations tend to confuse the two, moving from one to the other. However, we don't really have a clear map of how the two are related to each other. Does the adoption of secularism as a policy lead to the process of secularisation in society? Or is it the other way round? Is it possible that groups such as the Islamists who oppose secularism may be, inadvertently perhaps, facilitating secularisation?

The general understanding about the relationship between secularism and secularisation is based on a reified reading of European history. The potted version would run something like this: "Once the Catholic church was challenged there was a lot of fighting and eventually people decided that tolerance is the best way forward. They also realised that the most convenient way to operationalise tolerance would be to separate church and state, public and private spheres." There are many problems with this narrative, including questions of historical accuracy, as well as immense variations and reversals in the European experience. However, it is important here to note that in this version secularism and secularisation seem to have developed together.

Paradoxically, for the world beyond Europe the policy prescriptive has been the opposite. Since the late colonial period – and particularly for predominantly Muslim societies today – the policy dogma has been that the adoption of secularism as a state project will lead to the process of secularisation. But secularism as a separation of church (religion) and state does not make ready sense in societies where there was no hierarchical, structured church that had inherited an empire's state apparatus as the Roman Catholic church had in Europe. In the various versions of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism etc there has been no one clerical figure vested with the kind of power and authority that the pope excersised over domains now assumed within the modern state.Secularisation is not just the increase or decrease in visible markers of religiosity or in church attendance, but also a fundamental shift in religious belief towards rationalisation and objectification.

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1. Secularization

2. Secularism

3.The difference between secularism and secularisation | Humeira Iqtidar

4. Secularization and Secularism - History And Nature Of Secularization And Secularism To 1914, Secularism And Its Opponents Since 1914, Bibliography

What are the Catholic and Lutheran views on homosexuality?

Homosexuality in the Bible

Firstly the attitude towards homosexuality in Western culture derives from the Biblical teaching on the subject. The Bible claims that homosexuality is chosen sexual behaviour which is unnatural, sinful, amoral, and abhorrent to God

Homosexuality is clearly condemned in the Bible.

It undermines God's created order where He made Adam and Eve, a man and a woman, to carry out his command to fill and subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28).

“Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman; it is an abomination.”
-(Leviticus 18:22)
The punishment for homosexuality is death:—

If a man lies with a male as one lies with a woman, the two of them have done an abhorrent thing; they shall be put to death — their blood guilt is upon them.
(Leviticus 20:13).
According to the New Testament there is no salvation for those who engage in homosexual acts:—

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders.
(1 Corinthians 6:9)

“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.Romans 1:26-27

Romans 1:32, "...and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."

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Catechism of the Catholic Church

On the return flight from his visit to Armenia yesterday, Pope Francis was asked if the Church should ask forgiveness of the “gay community” for the “hate they experience.” In response, Pope Francis cherry-picked from the Catechism teaching regarding homosexuality, misrepresenting the Church’s teaching in a manner which Pope Benedict XVI while still Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger called “neither caring nor pastoral.”

“I repeat what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: that they must not be discriminated against, that they must be respected and accompanied pastorally,” said the Pope. “The problem is a person that has a condition, that has good will and who seeks God, who are we to judge? And we must accompany them well...this is what the catechism says, a clear catechism,” the Pope added.

The pope preached what was 'in season' leaving out the truths that are 'out of season.' Nowhere in his response did he express any of the Catechism’s many grave warnings about homosexual acts. And since those acts lead to dire consequences for body and soul the Church has always insisted on informing people about these dangers.

In 1986, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then-led by Cardinal Ratzinger, issued a document instructing bishops on the pastoral care of homosexual persons. Therein, the congregation admonished bishops to ensure they are “clearly stating that homosexual activity is immoral.” The instruction adds, “But we wish to make it clear that departure from the Church's teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral. Only what is true can ultimately be pastoral. The neglect of the Church's position prevents homosexual men and women from receiving the care they need and deserve.”

The Catechism’s teaching on homosexuality is given in three paragraphs comprising just over 220 words. The Pope’s response references only 20 words from the middle of the second paragraph, ignoring the numerous passages warning against the harmful sexual behaviour.

Here’s the full section on homosexuality from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Chastity and homosexuality

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

1.Pope Francis misrepresents the Catechism on homosexuality

2. The Bible and homosexuality

3. What does the Bible say about homosexuality?

Is beef banned in india?

Cattle slaughter in India is a historically taboo subject because of the cow's traditional status as a respected creature of God in Hinduism. Dairy products are extensively used in Hindu culture and are one of the most essential nutritional components of Hindu meals. Article 48 of the Constitution of India mandates the state to prohibit the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.

On October 26, 2005, the Supreme Court of India, in a landmark judgement upheld the constitutional validity of anti-cow slaughter laws enacted by different state governments in India.24 out of 29 states in India currently have various regulations prohibiting either the slaughter or sale of cows.

Kerala, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim are the states where there are no restrictions on cow slaughter(in thse states people of all religious believes consume beef).

States where cow slaughter is legal:

1) Kerala
No restrictions.

2) West Bengal
No restrictions.

3) Other Northeast
No ban in Arunachal, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim. In Manipur, Maharaja in 1939 decreed prosecution for cow slaughter, but beef consumed widely.

States where cow slaughter is banned:

1) Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
Slaughter of cows, calves prohibited. Bulls, bullocks can be killed against “fit-for-slaughter” certificate, issued if animals can no longer be used for breeding; draught/agricultural operations. Violators face 6 months jail and/or Rs 1,000 fine.