Believing and Belonging: Secularism and Religion in India

Sebastián, Juan

doi:10.1111/j.1758-6631.2003.tb00396.x

“…There are suggestions that affirmation of conversion to other religions (especially Christianity) pre-1950 and the establishment of India as a secular state in 1947 were due to a solidarity between Hindus and Christians which was necessitated by the shared desire to overthrow the British (Sebastian, 2003a(Sebastian, , 2003b). However, between the time of Independence and the present day, a situation has evolved so that:…”

Section: Industria and Fundamentalist Hinduismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is commonly acknowledged that 'Hinduism' was a term coined by the British, encompassing a wide variety of religious practices and rituals in India (Bayly, 1989; S. J. Raj & Dempsey, 2002;Sebastian, 2003a). Until the beginning of the colonial era, caste was ill-defined, especially between urban and rural dwellers.…”

Section: Hindutva Violencementioning

confidence: 99%

Transforming Dalit Identity: Ancient Drum Beat, New Song

Dalton¹

1

0

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<p>Folk music is one medium used by the Dalits of India in response to the oppression they face under the country's caste system. This thesis describes research conducted on the effects of music composed by a radical Dalit Christian pastor in South India nicknamed ' Parattai.' The main aims were to investigate how Parattai's religiously affiliated Dalit folk music transformed people, and whether or not its popularity and use had been maintained since Parattai's death in 2005. The primary data was collated from twenty six semi-structured interviews which took place in Tamil Nadu state between December 2006 and April 2007. The secondary data comprises literature on caste and inequality, and grassroots responses involving religion and music. This research found that Parattai' s music was effective because it declared a proud Dalit identity. Parattai embraced and reclaimed the musical and dance styles, vernacular languages, food, and religious ideologies of Dalits so as to transform Dalits from the inside out. Parattai's music continues to empower people with the appreciation of their own strengths. However, further promotion of his folk music style would ensure enduring transformation and activism towards the equality of all Dalits.</p>

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“…There are suggestions that affirmation of conversion to other religions (especially Christianity) pre-1950 and the establishment of India as a secular state in 1947 were due to a solidarity between Hindus and Christians which was necessitated by the shared desire to overthrow the British (Sebastian, 2003a(Sebastian, , 2003b). However, between the time of Independence and the present day, a situation has evolved so that:…”

Section: Industria and Fundamentalist Hinduismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is commonly acknowledged that 'Hinduism' was a term coined by the British, encompassing a wide variety of religious practices and rituals in India (Bayly, 1989; S. J. Raj & Dempsey, 2002;Sebastian, 2003a). Until the beginning of the colonial era, caste was ill-defined, especially between urban and rural dwellers.…”

Section: Hindutva Violencementioning

confidence: 99%

Transforming Dalit Identity: Ancient Drum Beat, New Song

Dalton¹

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

<p>Folk music is one medium used by the Dalits of India in response to the oppression they face under the country's caste system. This thesis describes research conducted on the effects of music composed by a radical Dalit Christian pastor in South India nicknamed ' Parattai.' The main aims were to investigate how Parattai's religiously affiliated Dalit folk music transformed people, and whether or not its popularity and use had been maintained since Parattai's death in 2005. The primary data was collated from twenty six semi-structured interviews which took place in Tamil Nadu state between December 2006 and April 2007. The secondary data comprises literature on caste and inequality, and grassroots responses involving religion and music. This research found that Parattai' s music was effective because it declared a proud Dalit identity. Parattai embraced and reclaimed the musical and dance styles, vernacular languages, food, and religious ideologies of Dalits so as to transform Dalits from the inside out. Parattai's music continues to empower people with the appreciation of their own strengths. However, further promotion of his folk music style would ensure enduring transformation and activism towards the equality of all Dalits.</p>

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What does God have to do with my health?

Dyk

¹

,

Dyk

²

2014

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Perceptions about God�s involvement in the health of people have always been an issue in Christianity. Conflicting views regarding the transcendent versus immanent nature of Godhave therefore played a prominent part within theological discussions. The purpose of this empirical survey was to explore the extent to which South African Christians directly attribute their health and/or diseases to the hand of God. A total of 3000 structured questionnaires were distributed of which 575 were received back. The IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 21) statistical program was used to analyse the data. Most participants disagreed with the view that God largely determined their health, although the majority did think that diseases (including AIDS) were sent by God, whilst playing down the role of natural causes.In conclusion, one could say that health beliefs amongst South Africans are closely linked to supernatural agents, although the direct role of God is seen mostly in terms of the sending of occasional diseases rather than constant involvement in general health.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The study challenges the applicability of a secularised medical model within the South African context and its relevance for prevention programmes.

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Believing and Belonging: Secularism and Religion in India

Cited by 3 publications

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Transforming Dalit Identity: Ancient Drum Beat, New Song

Transforming Dalit Identity: Ancient Drum Beat, New Song

Transforming Dalit Identity: Ancient Drum Beat, New Song

What does God have to do with my health?

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