[S.T.D.]

Dear Raghy

your post # 22:

Repeatedly discussing the same topic is necessitated by the repeated, relentless attacks by enemies of the community. All the rebuttals are the cry in agony of a microscopic minority community in the face of repeated attacks mounted on its very existence, identity and culture. In Kerala there is a christian denomination called Syrian christians. I have a few friends from that community. They say they have a system of conducting classes for youngsters in the marriageable age who are employed and are ready for marriage. The boys and girls in this category are encouraged by the parents to attend regular Sunday classes in the church. These classes are not Bible classes. They are sessions in which Psychiatrists, Doctors, religious teachers and vocational guidance specialists take classes. In these teaching sessions the children are told that they belong to a community among christians which is unique with a unique culture and value system which they should never compromise. They are also taught the pitfalls which they may encounter in their work life like falling in love with boys/girls from other communities and religions etc and how to avoid getting into such nasty situations. They are taught by the Doctors that at their age love is just pheromones, hormones and a lot of imagination. They are taught by psychiaatrists how to look at themselves standing aside to understand the emotions that drive them at any moment to get a clear understanding of their emotions. My friends say that this has helped many young men and women to remain good syrian christians. They marry within their community, avoid emotional upheavels and discord in the family and are successful in their life. Can brahmins try some such thing to preserve their unique culture and value system? I am addressing this to you because you have raised a point about the bringing up of children. I would not address this to those who have settled down outside India where they have different kind of compulsions and may have to necessarily marry others. But in India this can work. We (the brahmins) have no malice or hatred towards any one but we would like to live our lives peacefully and happily within our domain. We will determine what to do for that and no one else has any locus standi to tell us how we should change or disappear from the scene as a community.

Cheers.