worldpeace wrote:I am 22 and will soon be 23. Do I qualify as a youth? :D
That will be a question for the admin (admin).
Its really good to see that a forum dedicated to youth is being set up.
I suggest you send a personal message to admin asking about your question and telling admin about your enthusiasm. IMHO we need some one to start off the Youth Section, and since you are so enthusiastic ...
Are we free to discuss religion and religious backgrounds of the members in the group?
Personally I do not see any reason why not. There is the "All & Everything" section, which is - "for discussing science, relationships,
religion, non-BK spirituality and spiritual experiences". You could post there. Some time ago I remember there was much more discussion about general religious and spiritual subjects. The different subjects ebb and flow. At the moment there seems to be less discussion on these matters. You might try looking through the older posts and reviving a topic that interests you, or you could start a new topic of your own.
(Non-Gyan and westerners people might get offended by this)
I will not be offended, worldpeace, and I am both a westerner and an ex-BK. I would say that as long as you are not personally abusive or use bad language then if a person gets offended it is all part of the process of a robust debate. People get offended at what I say sometimes. I may have said something wrong, and if so I hope I see it and apologise. It may also be that people have different opinions and the occasional case of a person taking offence is not a problem. Tolerance is the name of the game if you want to discuss issues that people are passionate about. When I was a BK I sometimes got scared of posting here when people took offence at what I said. I now believe that was a mistake. We all have our opinions, but they are only opinions. Be prepared to be brave - I can see you have courage from your previous posts.
But I strongly feel religious background does have a big influence in a BK's life. I had a real tough time convincing my parents (Islam) about the BK values - vegetarian food, meditation and so on. It is top down pro-Hindu and that sells in India.
I agree, it is a big influence on all of us. I went to a Christian school, although my Father was an atheist. All state schools in the UK were Christian at that time. I still feel the influence of that upbringing. The Information you give about your own religious background, and how it affected you when you became a BK is very illuminating for me. Also, your saying that the BKWSU is top down pro-Hindu that sells big in India is a very important point to make. I would add that the Hindu roots of the BK religion are one of the reasons why it does not sell so easily in the west, and why these roots are being increasingly abandoned, denied, and hidden here.
(BTW I am way out of religion, BKism and thank God I am an ex-BK :) )
Good for you! I am in a similar situation myself. It is good talking to you worldpeace, and I hope you get somewhere with your enthusiasm for the Youth Section of the Forum. :lol:
Bansy, do you have any comments on what worldpeace is saying here?