Joan Ball is a business professor at St. John’s University in New York and the author of Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-Filled Life.
It’s Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, a day millions of people celebrate the triumph of good over evil. And to those of you who recognize the holiday, you might be interested in President Obama’s Diwali greetings.
If you’ve followed this blog since its inception, you may have picked up on my struggle with my religion. Despite those struggles with long-held traditions and beliefs, I have a deep respect for the faith, and therefore don’t want to dishonor it by acting in a disrespectful manner.
Which brings me to my Diwali shenanigans.
Which brings me to my Diwali shenanigans.
Normally when I’m at home, if I’m roused out of bed on a Saturday morning any earlier than 9 am, I get cranky. Especially if it involves helping my mom prepare for a religious ceremony. After all, if I don’t believe, why do I have to help, right? (This argument is usually greeted with a deaf ear).
However, Diwali is different. I practically bounce out of bed, ready, willing and possibly even eager to participate in the festivities. I’ve always loved Diwali, and even the more overtly religious aspects don’t niggle at me – too much. I love the idea of good triumphing over evil, I love the lighting of candles and lamps at night, and yes, I definitely love the new clothes we wear to honor the day. But should I? Am I the worst kind of Hindu?
Perhaps this sounds very familiar to those of you who celebrate Christmas, a constant struggle between respecting the religious aspects of the day with the Hallmark traditions. And perhaps if I had grown up in India, where many people celebrate Diwali regardless of faith, I wouldn’t have this kernel of guilt in my gut right now.
Now, here’s my real dilemma today. On religious holiday such as this, Hindus are not supposed to eat meat.
I’m pretty much the biggest carnivore you’ll find, and by golly, I have been craving some BBQ. I made plans with a friend to go out today for some BBQ, forgetting for a minute it was Diwali until my mom reminded me not to eat meat today.
Sure, I could reschedule, but it has been tough enough to find a time and day with this friend. I don’t know if rescheduling is even possible. And sure, I could not eat meat today. I could get corn..and biscuits…..
But I want to eat meat. I see no reason not to eat meat. I don’t believe in that aspect of Hinduism. I would never disrespect my mother by eating meat in her home today, but is it disrespectful for me to sneak out to indulge? (Keep in mind, I also would probably keep this a secret…between you readers and me, of course)
posted October 17, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I totally have this conundrum every Passover. Seems like I get a craving to eat a bacon cheeseburger on an extra fluffy yeasty bun every Pesach, and it is the only Jewish holiday I cheerfully observe in other respects (I am a cultural Jew by background, but an atheist with some small Buddhist leanings.) Since I don’t believe, it’s hypocritical to observe the rites, but on the other hand, tradition is also important to maintaining my heritage. A friend showed me an article the other day about Atheism 3.0 that I found interesting. http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/rnstext/atheism_30_finds_a_little_more_room_for_belief1/ I’m not sure it’s relevant to this discussion but it is a jumping off point for discussion. After all, you asked, “Is it disrespectful to sneak out to indulge?” If you mean, disrespectful to your mom, I think if it’d hurt her feelings if she knew, then yeah. If you meant disrespectful to the holiday or the Hindu pantheon, then no, not if you don’t believe in them. Just to be safe, why not have corn and biscuits, and order the meat in a to-go box to have the next day?
posted October 17, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Yes, BBQ actually improves by being saved and rewarmed–more time for the sauce to permeate the meat.
posted October 29, 2009 at 2:31 am
Its my favourite festival. The truth is that existence wants your life to become a festival…because when you are unhappy, you also throw unhappiness all around.
posted November 5, 2010 at 9:09 am
I’m a hindu and I usually refrain from eating meat on diwalli. But I tottaly understand that craving for meat.
If you can’t refrain all days of Diwalli, just refrain on the last day, or if you _a_b_s_o_l_u_t_e_l_y_ can’t go without meat for even one day, buy some “fake” soy meat. It tastes JUST like meat, but isn’t.
Hope this helps~!
PS you aren’t the worst type of hindu. Hinduism is a way of life, not a religous box where you need to follow every “command”. Hinduism is supposed to help you shape your life, and if you eat meat, that is how your life was shapped.
You won’t “go to hell” just cause you like to eat what you like to eat, and NO ONE will condemn you. In fact I praise you for being considerate enough to not eat meat in your mother’s home.
Happi Diwalli~! ^~^
posted September 28, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Nah im hindu but i eat meat and no one really cares