Hotashi

There have been many attacks recently against Christians in India and it is hitting really close to home. There have been attacks in my father’s town, Mangalore, against various Christian groups. I have numerous family members living there, including my 80 year old grandmother whom I got to see this year after ten years. Attacks are conducted by a Hindu extremist group who target non-Hindus in India. Currently they are focusing on Christians because one group of Christians are attempting to help the poor, orphans, and widows who are struggling to live. Rather than targeting this one Christian group they are attacking many different Christian groups, including ones that have been in Mangalore for hundreds of years. There are many more attacks that have been carried out in surrounding areas, especially in the state of Orissa. These attacks are being taken out on everyone, including children, women, and even nuns. One priest was even attacked with a machete during a Sunday morning service. Churches have been set on fire, Christian homes have been vandelized, and Christians have been beaten simply because they are Christian. One Hindu journalist who wrote an article stating that people should be able to choose their religion was beaten by members of this Hindu extremist group. Basically, those who do not conform to the beliefs of this Hindu extremist group are targetted and beaten into conformity.

These incidents are scary and a stark reminder that religious violence is very much alive and should not be tolerated. Nobody, regardless of what their religious affiliation is, should be persecuted. I am asking you to please pray for peace and safety of all religious groups in India. Also please pray for the safety of my family members. I don’t want the next trip I take to India be because I have to bury my family member(s). Thank you.

You can read more about what’s going on in India on this blog.

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Not again! The first incident with the victim getting beheaded was tragic enough but now another case occurred where a man was stabbed for no reason. It happened on a greyhound bus both times too. Copycat? This is so sad. In the recent case the victim suffered non-life threatening stab wounds. Thank God. You can read about the recent incident HERE.

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Jack doesn’t talk much about his heritage or what it means to him. I’ve come to think that it doesn’t mean as much to him than mine does to me. Wow that sounds so snotty, but that’s honestly what I’ve concluded. Recently though he has dropped random things my way that make me step back and reanalyze my conclusion. He mentioned the Taiwanese festival in Toronto a month ago, and the other day he talked about mooncakes. It may not seem like much but this is the most that I can he has done…really. His parents aren’t big on a lot of Chinese traditions, which is fine. But could it be that Jack is starting to take more interest in his heritage or was I quick to dismiss his silence? Hmm…I hope I can learn more about his heritage through him than through wiki. I am definitely going to attend the Taiwanese festival next year.

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Jack is on youtube! He gets to dump a nice bucket of ice water on Vinny at the beach. How fun.

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I passed my defense today. I have to make some minor revisions and then I will be an official MA graduate. Hooray!

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