Comments on: Why It’s Not Easy to be Atheist in India

By: Edward George D'souza

Edward George D'souza — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 11:52:00 +0000

On which Fb group are these people on? I live in Mumbai, and would like to meet an atheist support group…

By: Aftab Darogar

Aftab Darogar — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:48:00 +0000

sigh its exactly like it says in the story. its sucks bigtime

By: cptmitch

cptmitch — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:46:00 +0000

I like your idea. I’m a particular fan of the pastafarians.

By: cptmitch

cptmitch — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:43:00 +0000

Jennifer, the incident was in 1958. Things are better now. Yhanks!

By: DavidMHart

DavidMHart — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:43:00 +0000

It strikes me that any form which demands you specify your religion is vulnerable to you specifying an obviously fake one, like ‘jedi’ or ‘pastafarian’. See how long that goes on for before they give up and let you put ‘none’.

By: Yash Gadhiya

Yash Gadhiya — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:28:00 +0000

If you do not feel the need to have a religious classification then why you don’t put none and put your family’s religion? We are not asked to write the name of our favourite film star, sports person, or comic book super hero then why are we forced to write our favourite ancient fictional character?

By: Sanket Dash

Sanket Dash — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:54:00 +0000

There was no religion called Hinduism before the British created one for the census of 1871. Astika in Indian philosophy means one who believes in Vedas not one who believes in God.

By: luminous

luminous — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:12:00 +0000

I am an atheist and I do not feel the need to have a religious classification, even the ‘none’ category. I happily use my family religious whenever I am asked and I have no complaints about it. My family does not like it when I claim to be an athiest, they think I do so out of ego and not because I don’t find religions to be the correct representation of the universal and spiritual truths.
Interestingly, I was researching about atheism and found that Hinduism actually accepts atheism as a way of life. The samkhya tradition of hinduism which has pre-vedic origins seems to be based on athiest idealogies. One of the religious texts (dont remember which one) says that the universal phenomena are not easy to understand. Introducing the concept of god for the common human makes it easier to explain the natural phenomena.” If next time my parents object to my atheism, I am going to pop it up to them!!!

By: Ambarish Ravi

Ambarish Ravi — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:26:00 +0000

The story is very different in Tamil Nadu, India. There was an atheistic movement that swept the state in the 30′s, 40′s and 50′s under the guidance of EVR Periyar and a lot of people called themselves rationalists. Atheistic political parties have been ruling the state since the 50′s, but sadly these parties have moved away from their ideology and are just congregations of vote banks based on major casts now. But still, some of the important leaders identify themselves as atheists, and there are a lot of popular people in politics, arts, and society who are atheists, which makes it easier for people in Tamil Nadu to call themselves atheists. Discussions in public places, and with families about this is much easier compared to other states, but unfortunately, the numbers are decreasing, and we need to stem this rot.

By: Arjun Rao

Arjun Rao — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:22:00 +0000

I Did Not Have Any Personal Problem Or Fear By Telling My Atheism To My Family Because I Know My Family Loves Me For Who I Am Whether I Am An Atheist Or Not !!!

The Main Concern Is That We Should Break Our Chains That Surrounds Us With Fear And Confusion.. Come Out As What You Are Really Meant To Be.. Please Don’t Act !! Throw Away Your Fears Convey Your Atheism To Your Parent’s And Friend’s If They Really Love You They Will Certainly Accept For Who You Are ..Problems Do Arise Face Them Its Not To Be Ashamed For What You Have Become Its Something To Proud Of For Becoming A Free Thinker And Being A Rationalized Person …Please My Atheist Friends Rise Up….. !!!

By: Jennifer Anker

Jennifer Anker — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:12:00 +0000

You can go back and get your dog tags changed. The government allows ‘none’, it was just that officer who was being a butthead.

By: Kaberi Kar Gupta

Kaberi Kar Gupta — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:44:00 +0000

I think it was much easier to be a non religious atheist in the 1970s and 1980s Indian urban middle class than now! With wave of RSS and BJP. I cannot imagine the drastic change that has happened most of India in the 90s and 2000s.

By: cptmitch

cptmitch — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:15:00 +0000

I know how they feel. As a recruit in the US Air Force I was asked to name a religion for my dog tags. I answered, “none”. You must name one! “Pershan Fire Worshiper” I replied. He asked if I was catholic. No. My tags read “protestant”

By: nancycadet

nancycadet — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:56:00 +0000

I just saw a screening of a documentary about Dalits and poltical-religious protests in India, called “Ja Bhim Comrade. ” I never knew Dalits and their leader, a contemporary of Ghandhi, converted en masse to Buddhism in protest of Hindu dominance.