On Hinduism

Lamps were the only source of artificial light in olden days. Consider a dark room, where God, a symbol/representation of the divine, is placed (in the sanctum of temples). The priest shows a lamp in the form of Aarathi close to the murti. The purpose is to make sure the picture is registered in our minds.
Light represents knowledge. When praying we are saying that the Lord gives me enough knowledge all the time.

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Contributor: Dr. Jyoti Lulla

Location of this post (18d): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-do-you-use-light-aarti-to-pray/

When discussing this with non-Hindu Americans, I often draw a parallel to World War II. I ask: “Are you glad the USA defeated Japan?” Almost everyone says yes. Then I ask: “Are you glad we dropped two atom bombs on Japan?” The responses are mixed. History shows we could have won without such a horrendous act, yet the victory itself was seen as necessary.

In the same way, I feel deep sorrow that lives were lost and injuries occurred during the Babri demolition. I wish a better strategy had been pursued. At the same time, I am grateful that archaeological surveys have now confirmed the site’s original identity as a Hindu temple.

Reporters often phrase it as “Hindus ‘believe’ it was a temple.” That overlooks an important fact: unbiased historians and archaeologists have declared it to be an ancient temple.

Can we prove Rama was born precisely at that spot? No—just as we cannot prove that Jesus was born at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. But can we imagine the world’s Christians allowing Muslims to turn that sacred site into a mosque without resistance?

Contributor: Fred Stells

Location of this post (29e): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-are-your-views-on-demolition-of-the-babri-mosque/