Hindiuism: One Nation, Under Brahman

[ShivaFan]

Namaste

I just came over the radio, that a school principle allowed students who were largely Muslim to change the words to the pledge of the (US) flag from "One Nation, Under God" to "One Nation, Under Allah".

God is a generic word. But I don't think Allah is generic. God could mean Brahman, Allah, even no-God actually but natural law (remember some founders of America were atheists or actually were Masonics worshipping something different than Jesus).

I have a question actually in terms of the use of the term God. I am a Hindu, but I use the word God in my vocabulary and in communications though it is not a Sanskrit word.

I don't have a problem using the word.

Declaring an official religion in a State or in a City or at the National level is "illegal" (unconstitutional) in the United States of America. This is not to be anti-religion, but to protect the right of each individual to their religion, to practice, to not preactice, to be a minority religion, to be an atheist, to try and convert others, to have private temples, to dance and chant in public, to print holy books of all kinds, and so on.

I have no problem with the word God. It is now generic in modern times, and in fact that was the very agenda of the founders for it to be so even though it is a Germanic word (I think).

Do fellow Hindus use the word God? I do in certain conversations.

Or should some schools also now pledge "One Nation, Under Brahman"? .... I don't think so.

Then ISKCON will get mad fir example, tbat it might be "One Nation, Under Krishna" and another might want "One Nation, Under Vedas" and ... then a new student may want to ....

hmmm...

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Madhuri]

I have no issue saying 'God' and I usually do say 'God'. Growing up with fellow Vaishnava I would often say Krishna but it's rare for me to be in that situation these days so having a generic term is very useful.

 

[Vinayaka]

I vary, depending on context. It's either Siva, or God. But I have no problem either way. A similar situation is the book (or lack of book) used to swear on in courts of law. In TN it's the Tirukural, but here in Canada we Hindus can either use the Gita, or nothing.

 

[Jainarayan]

Contrary to popular belief, it's not required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance (just stand respectfully, hands at sides), or swear on any holy book in a court of law. It's not even required for a Presidential inauguration. At least one US President refused on the grounds that the bible says not to swear on anything (Matthew 5:34-35). It's acceptable to say "I promise... ".

 

[Jainarayan]

Interesting, which President did that?

Teddy Roosevelt and John Quincy Adams didn't use a bible. Adams used a law book. He wanted to emphasize the separation of church and state. Franklin Pierce and Herbert Hoover said "affirm". I don't remember if they used a bible.

 

[Asha]

Namaste

Namaste

God is a generic word. But I don't think Allah is generic. God could mean Brahman, Allah, even no-God actually but natural law (remember some founders of America were atheists or actually were Masonics worshipping something different than Jesus).

I would agree with ''Generic''

If I am not hugely wrong having had a senior in the family who was a Mason the beleif is in a god more akin to an old testament God but to my knowledge they are far from atheist, well at least in principle.

I have a question actually in terms of the use of the term God. I am a Hindu, but I use the word God in my vocabulary and in communications though it is not a Sanskrit word.

I don't have a problem using the word.

I use God when I am speaking generaly and use a specific name when I am talking to anyone who will understand who I am refering to.

Do fellow Hindus use the word God? I do in certain conversations.

Or should some schools also now pledge "One Nation, Under Brahman"? .... I don't think so.

God is fine for me, it seems the more divisions we have the more arguments occur
I am all for simplicity and harmony.

Then ISKCON will get mad fir example, tbat it might be "One Nation, Under Krishna" and another might want "One Nation, Under Vedas" and ... then a new student may want to ....

hmmm...

Yes hmmmm indeed !

What is it with this ''ISKCON will get mad''

I am all for one nation under the lord of the universe

but on second thoughts its too long, so maybe we should just stick with God its short and easily understandable.

I am quite happy to keep the personal names to my self and those who understand them.

om Namah Sivaya

Jaya Jaganath

 

[Aupmanyav]

Do fellow Hindus use the word God? I do in certain conversations.

I do not mind the use of word God but I do have problems with it, which I try to solve by replacing it with 'God/Gods/Goddesses'. Just one God is insufficient for most Hindus.
In India we have all the major religions of the world and we have atheists also, so saying 'One nation under one God' is not appropriate for us. It is unconstitutional.

 

[Poeticus]

It seems that we are not taking into
account a simple reality:​

It makes perfect, linguistic sense to
use the word, God, when conversing
in the English language.​

 

[Maya3]

I use God when it comes up in general conversation. If I get specific though it gets more complicated as I don't think of God as God, more as sound energy like AUM.

Maya

 

[Quagmire]

***Mod Post***

Several posts have been deleted. Please bear in mind that this thread is in Same Faiths, exclusively for participation by people who identify as Hindu. ​

 

[Andal]

I use God when speaking to other but I do not address Bhagavan with God, I use his name. That is far more intimate and powerful.

Aum Hari Aum!