Hindu respect




Thank you for writing about the new Hindu temple in Newbury Park. There are a couple of things I would like to point out regarding the information you put forth.

First of all, Hindus are not just South Asians. I am an American Caucasian and I am also a Hindu. There are many Americans who follow this religion.

Yet in the very first sentence, you make it sound like this house of worship or this religion is exclusively for “the area’s growing South Asian population.” Of course there are also many South Asians who are not Hindus and attend other churches in the area.

Also, in the caption below the photograph, you use the title “polytheistic.” Hinduism is not polytheistic. This is a misconception of those who don’t understand the meaning of the word.

Polytheism is the belief in many gods, none of which participate in the divine essence of any of the others. In polytheism gods are separate, autonomous, of equal stature and worshipped simultaneously.

While there are several gods and goddesses depicted in the Hindu religion, they are each honored as manifestations of the one God, Brahman. Hindus recognize these gods and goddesses individually during various religious ceremonies throughout the year as representing the various aspects of God.

We live in a very diverse society, and I encourage people of all faiths to visit the many different places of worship we have in our community to gain a better understanding of our similarities. We’re all in this together.

Lissa Coffey
Westlake Village



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