debater

Many books have come out against the Catholic Church, especially criticizing the clergy. One of the books that almost tempted to believe in the popular lie is Amen by an ex-nun. I read nearly all the interviews of this ex-nun soon after the publication of her book. I must frankly admit that I was scandalized to read them. Thinking over this I am convinced the fallen aways of the Church leave for thing than for a reason. Judas Iscariot left Christ not because he had a reason to leave Christ but because he wanted a thing. We don't lack many Judas Iscariots in the Church. They leave the Church for their personal gains but under the guise that the Church is unholy. It is not so. The Church is we. Down the centuries, my not so systematic study of the Church says, the Church has suffered greatly by those men and women with habits than the laity. It is they who do not find justification for their infidelity who blame the Church. I don't mean that we are all-holy. In no way we are; we

Not even a threat of nuclear war between India and Pakistan at the wake of Mumbai terror attacks produced such an upheaval in Indian politics like the one anti-corruption movement is producing now. I believe people have awaken from their slumber and ready for a revolution. However like in all revolutions I fear we will make the same mistake of attacking a particular structure without addressing the core of the problem. The problem is the epidemic of corruption not democracy or parliamentary system. No doubt it is a noble thing to fight for a cause but that does not dismiss anyone from distancing oneself from common sense and basic principles of democracy.  It seems to me that India Against Corruption Movement itself needs a purification. The earlier intentions were too good and a common man had difficulty in embracing it. Now it appears as if the few who constantly shout slogans in this movement are the saviours of the country and immaculate in their dealings (while they the

One of the novels that I cherished reading is Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner. Something of what the Novelist tried to drive home through the novel rings in my ears even after two year and half. Amir's father, a well respected man of his locality, tells him that stealing is the worst crime. The reason he gives is something amazing. He gives rather a broad meaning to it. For instance, when I speak ill of someone I steal of him of his right for good reputation. When I kill someone I steal his right to live; rob his relationships with so many people. when I tell a lie I steal someone's right to know the truth. Hence, stealing becomes the worst crime.  What thrilled me most when I read that Amir's father himself stole Amir's right to know the truth that Hassan, his friend, is his brother. In it I discovered the intensity our thoughts and actions. The consequences of them are far from our imagining at times. 

Lovely Lady dressed in blue teach me how to pray! God was just your little Boy, Tell me what to say! Did you lift Him up, sometimes, Gently, on your knee? Did you sing to Him the way Mother does to me? Did you hold His hand at night? Did you ever try Telling stories of the world? O! And did He cry? Do you really think He cares If I tell Him things–— Little things that happen? And Do the Angels’ wings Make a noise? And can He hear Me if I speak low? Does He understand me now? Tell me - for you know! Lovely Lady dressed in blue, Teach me how to pray! God was just your little Boy. And you know the way. Note: This Poem is taken from The Child On His Knees  (pages 24 and 25) This prayer-poem was popularized in  the 1950s by Archbishop Fulton Sheen. I would have listened to this poem being recited by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen number of times in his talks. Every time I heard it I felt so inspired. I hope you would love it too. You can find the same in  http://www.catholictradition.or

Was I dreaming? It was far from a wild dream I could have had on my nice bed. The stench of the place added to it the foul words made me only blink now and then in a desperate attempt to feel one with those of my friends for whom - if I have say as they would describe it - the fate had little concern. A few days back while being with the delinquents I happened to see one of the rare incidents that one sees that a kind-hearted director thought of showing in his movie. Someone against whom a dozen cases are bending in the courts had a special visitor. That was his lover. She was modestly dressed. She came on her new Scooty. I couldn't believe my eyes. Everyone told me that the girl was his lover. She fell in love with the so called "criminal" or whatever the society would call him, when he was roaming about the city. Believe it or not it took some time for me to understand the significance of what we all heard from somebody or other that love is blind, because it does not s

For us who live in these modern times the word contest is not a strange word. We see it in our televisions, in our net working sites, in the newspapers, in life too. Contest is formally defined as a competition between individuals or groups with the aim of proving one's ability, nobility and superiority. What leaves me baffled is that many of us, teens and adults, think life in terms of a contest, to be precise as a popularity contest.  Popularity as we know refers to being known and accepted widely. We are in a contest to become popular without ever giving a single thought to significance our life should make to the world. Life for me can never be a popularity contest and I hope many will agree with me. We are here for a reason no matter whether or not we are noticed or looked upon or admired we must carry out those which we think good, noble and spiritual. May be life has many things in store to teach me regarding this but what I am right now convinced is that we can never be

Dear Friends, for the weekend ministry I am frequenting the Government Shelter home rather minor jail or Remand home together with two of my friends here. Something horrified me last Sunday as I was listening to three boys who were arrested on charges of rape and murder. What i am sharing here therefore is the version of the story the boys told me. The three boys - whose name I would not like to state here - are from a slum in Nashik. One of them is sixteen year old and the other two are eleven and thirteen. The sixteen year old lad at the invitation (I don't know what kind of invitation that could be!) went into a physical relationships with a girl of seventeen year old at her house. The smaller boys accompanied the bigger lad at his persuasion and they told me that they only touched the parts of the body (I wonder what these two kids knew of sex). Someone happened to see it and he reported to the brother of that girl. The girl sensing the consequences immolated herself (th