In her letter "Let us part amicably” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, August 21, 2016) Armin Dutia Motashaw takes exception to the use of the word dhongis. It would have been appropriate for her to chide her friends on Facebook (where she posts her views) to refrain from using words like deformists and deen dushmans (enemies of the religion). Resorting to such words is a manifestation of frustration and inability to rationally convince the opposing viewpoint.
The establishment of The Prayer Hall at Worli has disturbed the bluff masters posing as religious scholars to such an extent that they want to "educate” the bawas on its "pitfalls.”
As for setting up a separate place of worship, she would do well to read the state of affairs at Bharuch, where there is one single boiwalla for four fire temples. Assuming boi at each agiary takes 30 minutes, and additional travel time of 10 minutes from one agiary to another, by the time the priest reaches the fourth agiary there would be a time gap of at least 100 minutes between the boi in the first agiary and the fourth. Is that religiously permissible?
I would also like to ask her to verify whether all the workers in the fire temples are the offspring of both Zoroastrian parents. HOMI DALAL
homeedalal@gmail.com
I have just read the letter "Let us part amicably” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, August 21, 2016) which advocates creating factions in the Parsi community.
The writer is a regular contributor with extreme, conventional, strict and outdated thoughts. This time she has commented on The Prayer Hall at Worli, opposing its very existence. At the same time she has openly remarked that those who cannot follow the old fashioned rules, rites and rituals should separate and build their own fire temples.
I am constrained to remind her and all readers that the Almighty has been created by human beings. Thousands of years ago, some person/s expounded the theory of a God above and a devil below. People, with their herd mentality, followed these teachings and that is how religions were born. All religions expound the same concepts which are summarized very succinctly by the words "good words, good thoughts, good deeds.” One religion prohibits non-vegetarian food, another pork, the third beef, and so on. Did the Almighty allow only the Parsis to eat everything? Some say that one has to fast on Tuesdays, others on Thursdays while some insist on a month of fasting during the day and feasting at night! All this is man-made and the sooner we come down to earth the better.
I believe that the Almighty sent us here to live a life in peace and happiness. He gave us neither clothes nor language. He did not propose any religious concept to follow. When we were too young to understand or to ask questions, we were conditioned to speak a language and learn about religion by our parents who had gone through the same drill with their parents! In several other countries people of varying faiths live in peace and believe in "you do your thing and I’ll do mine.” Why can we not understand that religion is a very private matter and interfering in anyone’s beliefs is wrong?
We argue about rites and rituals. These are also man-made. There are some who claim to be scholars and insist that change is not possible. Why do we not ignore them and discard their dictats? Why can’t we practice our faith in the way we wish to?
With the teaching of religion, fear is introduced: "Don’t do this. God will be angry. Don’t say that, your parents will not like it and will shout at you.” We pride ourselves on being an educated community. Isn’t it time we behaved in a sane manner? Let us live and let live. No separatist suggestions from anyone please! JAMSHED IRANI
iranjams@yahoo.in
I was shocked to read that there are among the Parsis some who insist that "it’s my way or the highway.” One lady has stated that all Parsis with modern ideas should build their own fire temples and agiaries and leave the traditionalists to follow the true path.
I find this objectionable as it is tantamount to creating a wedge in a small community that wishes to live in peace and not in pieces. HOMI MODY
homody@rediffmail.com