Nope, but I’ll do so. I realize my statement was rather off, but really, I’m enough of a mutt I don’t even get the “gee, you look like…” comments. Ever.
I was actually kind of freaked out recently because one of the American Idols looks a lot like me, so much so the scene of her in the elevator made me rewind and rewatch it. It’s not that I don’t look normal, I just don’t really look like anyone else. Much less like anyone of any particular nationality/culture/religion/whatever.
When I was in Belize I was surprised to see what was for all intents a yin/yang symbol on one of the Mayan temples. I’ve read about the swastika history enough to know that it isn’t always what we immediately think of.
I pointed it out to a couple people and they said they thought it had something to do with a band. I’m glad it’s subtle, that way the fundies without a sense of humor won’t be motivated to vandalize my car. If you recognize the fish, you get what it’s about.
Given the long and bitter arguments we regularly see on the boards, it might be a good idea to consider a couple of amendments: “I don’t discuss politics, or religion, or my reproduction, or guns, or tipping, or declawing pets, or Mac vs Windows, or modern art, or whether you should sign the back of your credit card, or…”
Hmm, never heard that one. An aunt accused us of not believing in God though.
I attended private Catholic school until 6th grade, at which point I started going to public school. A few of the kids there didn’t understand why they never saw me at their church (they were Baptists), and were constantly asking me if I went to church. And my answer confused them further, as my family was fond of attending the casual Saturday evening mass.
That would be if inscribed, wouldn’t it? Surely, those who wear the thing as a pendant aren’t going to be checking it all the time to ensure it’s not laying down the wrong way.
I hear you… really I do. And in real life, if I saw a clearly Indian-looking individual wearing a Swastika, I’d probably assume Hindu symbolage and only change my mind if the individual went on to display anti-semitic behavior… But then, I’m being racist, at least in a way. And I’m sure there are White, blond Hindus (as well as Indian anti-Semites :(), so how can I tell the difference?
It’s sad all around when a perfectly good symbol is co-opted and vilified by another group, giving it an evil connotation. And while I can’t think of another example off the top of my head, I’m sure this has happened to other symbols as well… and yet there are just so many people the Swastika (legitimately) bothers, I don’t really know how it can be reclaimed.
Unfortunatley, I’m quite sure I wouldn’t notice the difference. In fact I’m having trouble visualizing exactly which way the Nazi Swastika’s arms point, right now… the point clockwise I think (?) – but I’m really not sure.
Waaaay beyond the edit window… wanted to add that I’d have absolutely no problem with a Swastika on display at a Hindu temple – because then the context is firmly established.
I’m not so sure, however, about the vast majority of Americans and Europeans who probably think Hitler personally invented and designed the thing… :smack:
Oh, and Anaamika, if you want to wear a Hindu symbol on a chain or earrings, hie thyself down to the neighborhood jewelry and buy yourself a Magen David (hey, the Germans weren’t the only ones clubbing Hinduism on the head in a dark alley and rifling through its pockets for loose symbols…! :eek: )
That’s the great thing about living in Australia or New Zealand- it’s considered extremely poor form to ask about one’s religion, and the default setting is that it’s assumed that everyone of European background is familiar with the basic tenets of Christianity and does not attend any particular church.
You get the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses out trying to convert people, but a polite “Thanks, but I’m not interested” is usually enough to send them on their way without further ado.
In fact, I’d so so far as to say that overt, public expressions of Faith* here tend to result in a raised eyebrow- it’s generally felt that what you believe is your business, and you have a right to your faith, provided it’s not really bizarre or objectionable.
Ditto for the UK. In fact, in the almost unheard of event of being asked, I wouldn’t think twice about saying ‘I don’t attend church. I’m atheist’.
I have only once been asked this kind of thing by a stranger. Someone once asked me if I was protestant or catholic, but she was fresh over from Northern Ireland where allegiance is all important. I looked at her weird and said ‘neither’, which confused her greatly.
My father used to change his religion depending on who was knocking on the door. If it was Baptists (pleasant but persistent) he’d say ‘sorry I’m Jewish’ with an aplogetic smile. If they were Jehovah Witnesses he’d say ‘actually I’m Catholic and I find your teachings blasphemous. Get away with you Satan’ or words to that effect.
)
(hey, the Germans weren’t the only ones clubbing Hinduism on the head in a dark alley and rifling through its pockets for loose symbols…! :eek: )