According to this 2008 NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE
Based on this PEW FORUM
More than a quarter of adult Americans have left the faith of their childhood to join another religion or no religion.... When protestants are included, 44 percent of Americans have switched religious affiliations....The report shows, for example, that every religion is losing and gaining members, but that the Roman Catholic Church “has experienced the greatest net losses as a result of affiliation changes.” The survey also indicates that the group that had the greatest net gain was the unaffiliated. More than 16 percent of American adults say they are not part of any organized faith, which makes the unaffiliated ( THATS ME!!) the country’s fourth largest “religious group.”
So I was thinking. As we go from Religion to Religion, how about some fun toys for the kids!
JEWISH
Here is a fun toy for Jewish kids. Lice, boils and severed heads. Heck! That sounds like fun for the whole family.
CHRISTIAN (non denominational)
I love this one.
His hands even glow in the dark.
Miracles that have to do with feeding people are the awesomist of all miracles. It is a miracle we can all participate in. FOOD BANKS
CHRISTIAN (Soldiers)
They may be small, but this trio of combatants can provide kids with valuable and strategic insight for spiritual war games.
Kids will get the real feeling of suiting up in the armor of faith.Based on the spiritual warfare passage in Ephesians 6
Both of the above available at:
CATHOLIC
Need we say more?
Miraculous
YoursIf you are a Catholic and your child hasn't already been in bed with a priest, this is for you. Huggable priest your child can take to bed and snuggle with.
Snugly Priest
Handcart Pioneer action figures
Mormon Missionaries action figures
Very Buff Representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They labor in cities throughout the world, Knocking on your door bright and early at 8:00 am Saturday morning,sharing the joy found in the truths of The Book of Mormon and The Bible.
(NOT to be used as a hood ornament)
BUDDHIST
Grow Your own Buddha.
This Little Guy grows 600% which is your first step to enlightenment.
Giant Buddha (Is there any other kind?)
HINDUISM
HINDU PLUSH
KRISHNA and HANUMAN
Apparently these two are ok but this one....
THIS ONE WAS RECALLED
Upset Hindus have asked for the immediate recall of the toy "HANUMAN as plush doll”, calling it “inappropriate, upsetting, and denigrating”.
To understand this one you need to look RIGHT HERE
All Heil the religion of Peace.
This Little fellow has innocent swastikas on his chest. Not the bad Nazi kind.
HARI KRISHNA
Hari KRISHNA Halloween costume
Dawn of the Dead Hare Krishna Zombie Action Figure
AMMA THE HUGGING SAINT
This is actually for ADULTS to hold and play with when they meditate but maybe kids could have one too.
EVOLUTIONIST
From Primordial mud to Darwin action figures, something fun to monkey around with.
FRINGE CULT STUFF
ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN
BIG FOOT
CULT OF THE UFO
Morning juice for the kids. Intergalactic juicer.
HIRANYALOKA
Fairyland stickers
Fairies
UNICORNS
MERMAID
Peace and Best Wishes,
Katie (Dekayananda)
Hi. I really must say I don't know how you came through all of this and remained a positive, loving, and spiritual person. I became involved with SRF in 1993. I even got a hand-signed letter from Daya Mata welcoming me to the teachings. EVERY donation I ever gave to them was followed up with a thank you letter. I feel so betrayed by that organization after learning everything I have learned about them through the internet. I don't know if you were joking or for real, but I do not think Daya Mata is a sweet old lady. I think she is evil for doing the things she has done that have hurt so many people tremendously. As far as Yogananda is concerned, I've been heartbroken, and I keep trying to find excuses to cover-up or make right the things I hear. I mean, after all, I couldn't possibily be one of those stupid people who would be so stupid to be taken in by those false gurus you hear about on the news. Yogananda was sweet and loving and the real thing. The myth is just so STRONG and hard to walk away from.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
I just want to answer a few of the issues you bring up.
First, I do not recall getting a handsigned note from Daya Mata though I have received a number of auto-sign-form letters over the years. Every charity that I have donated to (the USO, Red Cross, Food Bank) have sent me thank you notes and I have always gotten them from SRF also. It is a nice way to acknowledge those that give you money. One thing I never received from SRF was an accounting of how money I sent was spent or an outline of their budget. I have a friend who attends a church that sends this info out to members every year. How much for the buildings, how much for the taxes, how much for the ministers etc. I do not know how SRF distributes the funds that it raises.
Second, Daya Mata was a child in a polygamous family.
Her Mother, brother and sister escaped with her to Yoganandas ashram. To get an idea what this might be like read ESCAPE by Carolyn Jessup. I can only imagine what happened to her in that ashram. Think about it, she was only 17 or 18 and her sister was only 14. She has spent her entire life from day one in a cult. I am sad for what her life has been and I have complete compassion for what she has undoubtedly endured.
It is heartbreaking to learn that Yogananda was just another false Guru and anger is a normal emotion. For some of us, maybe it is better not looking for an ultimate "truth" and instead look inside ourselves for that thread that connects us all to each other. Yogananda MAY have been sweet and loving even though he was not the "real thing" in terms of 'messenger, one with God'. Remember, he was taught by others himself and his family was in the Lahiri cult too. Cult abuse and dysfunction can be generational. The Delusional lead the delusional.
Forgive yourself. Forgive SRF and Yogananda. Move on. Seek help from a cult exit counselor if necessary.
Make this day a better day.
Warm Wishes for peace,
Katie