Hindu American Seva Charities

Building COmmunities through Seva

 

PRESS RELEASE                                                                                                                            January 20, 2011

Media Contact: Minauti Dave: seva@hinduamericanseva.org; (917) 723-9456

 

Intersection of Faith and Interfaith in Alabama

Hindu Americans urge peaceful community building through interfaith collaboration

 

Washington, D.C. January 20, 2011: The play of faith and interfaith, became center stage on the very day that America was celebrating Dr. King’s legacy when Alabama governor, Robert Bentley said "Anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother".  These words highlight the continuing chasm of understanding between faith traditions in USA.

 Albeit two days later, Governor Bentley apologized and vowed to work for people of all faiths and colors. Hindu American Seva Charities is pleased with this apology and hopes the Governor will take concrete steps to not only understand but respect and work collaboratively with the diverse and pluralistic reality of today’s America and Hindu American Seva Charities is ready and willing to assist in this effort.

HASC Board members expressed their concerns over the Governor’s statements.  Ved Chaudhary said, "Whatever may be one's personal belief or religious affiliation, a Governor or political leader must understand and accept their responsibility to treat equally well all people in their jurisdiction irrespective of their religious affiliation, and speak and act accordingly."

And Dr. Siva Subramanian commented "A Governor represents, after the election, the entire State and all the people within including Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, nonbelievers and others. United States of America stand for democracy and pluralism and the First Amendment clearly forbids any government official from establishing or promoting any one religion. He can not govern as a representative of one denomination of a religion. We are indeed glad that he has retracted that statement but could have been even more clear and explicit about the apology. I hope this will provide opportunities for intense interfaith dialogue and collaborative service projects in Alabama and rest of USA. This can be a great opportunity to bring together people of diverse faiths in our increasingly pluralistic country"

 While on the advice of his political mentors, Governor Bentley has offered apology for his comments, it remains to be seen from his actions whether this fervor in his heart continues to dominate his future speeches and decisions in the same way as it did in his inaugural address. 

 At such occasions, the importance of interfaith collaboration to increase mutual understanding becomes most evident. It is only through the coming together of diverse faith traditions bringing an awareness of the pluralistic reality of today’s America that the tendency of such leaders who favor their own faith tradition only, and rail against all others, can be changed

 In January, HASC  is promoting "ShantiSeva" a program to promote peace and respect among all faiths through seva (community service) – collaborative interfaith service through its UtsavSeva (FestivalSeva) initiative.  Hindus believe all faith traditions should be treated with equal respect (Sarva Dharma Sam Bhava). HASC is striving to make this value a reality in the pluralistic mosaic of America.

 

.Hindu American Seva Charities (HASC) is a progressive American organization advancing Seva (community service) while promoting interfaith collaboration, pluralism, social justice, and sustainable civic engagement. HASC aims to ignite grassroots social change to build healthy communities.