Heritage, Lifestyle, Margam Kali, Traditions

Dear George, One of the main things I’ve learned …

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Comment posted Lifestyle of Kerala Syrian Christians by John Mathew.

Dear George,

One of the main things I’ve learned from my interaction with people on this site is that the question of what the Nasrani is is highly variable — some believe that the Jewish culture is at the center (like you), others believe that it is Catholic/Orthodox Christianity (which is *not* Jewish), others believe that it is the synthesis of Middle Eastern religion and culture with Indian culture, and so on.

To say that Hebrew culture is at the “main tap root” of the Nasrani is representative of only one opinion. I’m sure many of us grew up hearing our parents illustrate ethical concepts from the Ramayana, and Mahabharata, in addition to the Bible. I know I did. I don’t think any Israeli would have.

I find the Hebrew origins to be fascinating, especially since I’ve always been enamored by the Old Testament. However, our community is an Indian one not an Israeli one. Our religion is Christianity, and not Judaism.

When I said that Gentile Christianity “won the war” I meant that modern Christianity (Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Protestant) is Gentile Christianity. Jewish Christianity died out, along with Gnostic Christianity, within two centuries after Christ.

Now, the issue of whether there is come mechanism behind all of this, is not something I’m concerned with. I respect Jackson for his knowledge of genetics and history, but I found his comments to be too “other-worldly” for my taste.

I don’t believe that there is a chosen race. I’ve read history, and my understanding is that the Jews and their religion is a descendant of earlier polytheistic religions. I personally believe there is One God out there somewhere, and that he has talked to all peoples. I don’t believe that he singled out the Jews, but I do believe that the Jews believe that they are a chosen race. I don’t care about what they believe though. I believe that the essential truth of monotheism has come out throughout history as people come to realize that there is One force out their somewhere that makes everything work and that loves us. This is where I’m coming from. I’ve synthesized science and spirituality into something that is consistent to me. So myth-driven talk (about chosen races, etc) is something I can’t accept, nor do I feel aligned with them.

Anyways, I don’t want to argue or debate this, because it’s in the realm of opinion and not fact. Just wanted to state mine…