Temple entry for non-Hindus

Temple entry for non-Hindus

There has been a chorus calling for permitting non-Hindus entry into Hindu temples. I have also added my voice in support. However, a question remains. Might not the management of temples go into the hands of non-Hindus?

A similar question would not arise in the case of churches or mosques because they are firmly in the hands of Christians and Muslims respectively, whereas the temples are in the hands of a so-called secular government.

So what would stop such a government from filling the management team of temples with non-Hindus?

While ideally there might not be problems even if non-Hindus run Hindu temples provided the temples are run according to its customs, finally is it not a matter of faith? How can there be faith unless there is dedication and how can there be dedication where there are divided loyalties or no loyalty at all? This question is pertinent considering the fact that Christians and Muslims are not expected to have faith in anything other than their own religion.
7:18:01 PM
Posted By Venu Gopal Comments (0) Uncategorized

Comments
rationalbeing Saturday, May 26, 2007 8:11:03 PM
you are true,i want to add non islams are not allowed to enter into the mosques,but there secularists are mum
sangeetha Nair Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:51:46 AM
Here’s a thought: regarding the issue of temple entry, being a convent educated Hindu, residing in Kerala, I believe that it is up to the Devasom Board to decide whether the Temple Entry Act (1936) should be modified to accommodate non-Hindus. On a personal note, I believe that the NSS was right in "agreeing" with the suggestion that singer Yesudas should not be allowed inside the Guruvayoor temple. So what if Yesudas sang one too many devotional songs about Lord Krishna? I sang soprano in the church choir while in school, but when it came to act of receiving the Holy Communion, I had to watch from the sidelines. If Christians believe that the Holy Communion is an intimate encounter with Christ, and so only fellow Christians are allowed to partake in this celebration of the Eucharist, then certainly Tantric rituals should also be seen in the same divine light.
K.Venugopal Tuesday, May 29, 2007 2:07:47 PM
You have a valid point, Sangeetha. To compare dalits' temple entry agitation to the current call for allowing non-Hindus temple entry is misplaced. While in the former case the dalits were clamouring for temple entry, the same is not the case with non-Hindus. Non-Hindus are not clamouring for temple-entry, save a Yesudas here or a Yusuf Ali Kechery there.
K.Venugopal Tuesday, May 29, 2007 2:16:21 PM
So why are Hindus eager to open the gates even to the unenthusiastic? I think it is largely because of a new found confidence in the Hindus that the moment is just right to bring everyone into its fold. Good, I would say - only, we have to be cautious that we do not score a self-goal in doing so by eventually loosing control of our temples to people who would refuse to call themselves Hindus.