Hindu followers strive to end commercial use of sacred images
Bathroom mats. Shoes. Dog tags.
All of these items have, in recent years, gone on sale adorned with images of Hindu deities, particularly that of Ganesha, known most commonly in the West for his elephant face.
“It is inappropriate, and it is offensive to devotees,” said Rajan Zed, a Reno-based Hindu activist who protests against such commercial products.
“I haven’t seen Christ on toilet seat covers. Or any symbol of Islam,” said Vasudha Narayanan, a professor of religion at the University of Florida. “If you wouldn’t do it with one, why do you want to do it with something else? Or at least wouldn’t it behoove you to check?”
Every few months, Zed said, he receives a message about some insensitive commercial use of a Hindu image.
Most recently, Zed called on Amazon to pull deity-decorated skateboards and bedding from its online shelves. (This was not the first time the retailer got itself into hot water over such practices. In June, the hashtag trended on Twitter in India after users discovered doormats with images of Hindu deities available for sale. Amazon removed the items within days.)
Earlier this month, Zed asked online retailers Wayfair and Kess In House to stop selling bathmats, doormats, dog beds, leggings and rugs with images of Ganesha, who often is invoked in prayers for prosperity and success at the beginning of new ventures.
Another time, there was the Burger King commercial in Spain that featured Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, sitting atop a hamburger with the caption, “The snack is sacred” in Spanish. (Many Hindus are vegetarian, with beef considered especially off-limits because cows are considered sacred.)
The use of these images in a secular context, and particularly in a context that is in direct opposition to the basic tenets of the Hindu religion, displays a lack of respect, Narayanan said.
In Hinduism, myriad deities and their representation through images, sounds (like the chanting of “om”) and expressive forms like dance or music are an attempt to capture the many facets of a supreme being whose existence is difficult to grasp, Narayanan said. As such, “depictions of the sacred are themselves considered to be sacred,” she said.
Consider that time in 2013 when Urban Outfitters drew criticism for selling socks with depictions of Ganesha around the ankles.
Feet are considered the lowest form of a being, Narayanan said. Pointing one’s feet at another person is considered to be extremely disrespectful, while bowing at someone’s feet is a mark of veneration.
“When you have your foot not just pointing to but touching a god on footwear, it’s a double-whammy,” Narayanan said. “Even the most liberal Hindus that I know ... would find [this] particularly jarring.”
It’s not that Hindus categorically reject the use of religious images on artistic or commercial products.
In India, for example, images of Lakshmi are commonly used to sell lottery tickets. In another wellknown advertisement, Hanuman, a Toilet seats. monkey-faced deity known in Hindu mythology as an efficient, swift emissary, promises fast delivery for ABT Parcel Service, a transportation and post service in south India.
“Context shapes whether something is a misappropriation or appropriation or appreciation,” said Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation, an advocacy group for Hindu Americans. “Someone who’s doing it out of appreciation or reverence would never put it on a toilet. That automatically becomes the filter,” she said.
Most of the time, when Zed reaches out to companies to ask them to stop selling an item or displaying an advertisement, he said, they apologize and comply. “It’s ignorance, basically,” Zed said. “People don’t know our traditions and our deities.”
Indians are a relatively new immigrant group in the U.S., with many having arrived after immigration laws changed in 1965 to abolish national-origins quotas and establish a preference for skilled workers and families. Indians make up only about 1 percent of the U.S. population, and Hindus are a fraction of that, as Indians practice a variety of faiths. There also are Hindu immigrants from other countries, albeit in even smaller numbers.
Knowing someone from a religious group is linked with having more positive views of that group, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center survey. Only 22 percent of respondents in the survey said they knew someone who was Hindu, and when asked to rate their attitudes toward various religious groups on a “feelings thermometer” (where 0 degrees meant viewing a group as coldly and negatively as possible), they rated Hindus somewhat neutrally, at 50 degrees.
By contrast, a majority of Americans said they knew someone who was Catholic or Jewish; those groups received ratings of 63 and 62 degrees, respectively.
Susan Scafidi, a law professor at Fordham University in New York and author of “Who Owns Culture?,” a book about cultural appropriation and American law, said people commonly borrow religious symbols from other cultures because they are the clearest expression of those cultures.
“People reach for things that are accessible ... and don’t stop to think necessarily what those pieces of culture might mean,” Scafidi said. Instead, they infuse the symbol with their own, “usually inchoate,” meaning, she said.
“It doesn’t typically come from a place of racism or hatred. It’s more thoughtlessness,” Scafidi added.
But after a group has made it known that a particular use of an image or cultural artifact is offensive, companies that continue to use it are choosing to place profits above respect, she said.
Some Hindu symbols have become particularly valuable to brands.
For instance, Brahma Beer in Brazil is by some estimates the ninth-bestselling beer in the world. Though the reason behind the selection of the name Brahma is unclear (the brand originated in 1888), the name also refers to a Hindu god and is antithetical in a religion that sees alcohol as impure — or that at the very least would not associate it with worship.
Zed said he contacted AnheuserBusch InBev, now the owner of Brahma, about discontinuing the product, but he acknowledged that it was too significant a revenue source for the company to terminate.
In the U.S., the multibillion-dollar yoga industry has for years produced yoga mats, towels and exercise pants that place “om” symbols and images of Ganesha close to or directly underneath the feet and legs. But Scafidi said these images are probably more an asset than a liability to companies at this point because they have been accepted by the mainstream rather than seen as offensive to another culture.
That’s a big problem, said Shukla, of the Hindu-American Foundation.
“On the one side, people are very familiar with Hindu concepts like karma or reincarnation” and practices like yoga, she said. But on the other hand, these elements have been stripped of any association with Hinduism.
Shukla’s group is trying to change that. Its members previously launched a “Take Back Yoga” campaign to educate the public about yoga’s connection to Hinduism.
This year, when the American holiday of Halloween and the Hindu holiday of Diwali overlapped, the group embarked on an effort to dispel myths about the swastika, a symbol of prosperity and good fortune in Hinduism that was notoriously misappropriated by Hitler.
“The more people understand about Hindu practice, the greater the likelihood of [symbols] being used in context,” Shukla said.
Find redemption in Jesus
Editor: The Church is taught the high privilege of the Lord’s redeemed ones, who now may come and who indeed do come, to the assembly of the first-born. Yea to God himself the Judge of all, when coming in the name of Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling. And here is implied, in being come, that there is a holy familiarity and acquaintance in this approach — a birth-right, by the new birth; a redemption, an adopted-character, by Jesus blood and righteousness; and the Covenant faithfulness of God the Judge of all.
So that this is the Gospel privilege of God’s redeemed ones — their stated daily, hourly, minutely mercy to which they are supposed to come boldly and find mercy and grace to help in all time of need.
The Holy Ghost hath most graciously and blessedly taught the Church, in the divine scripture, from he different manifestations in which the Lord was pleased to make himself known to old Testament saints, and new Testament believers — how blessed an alteration is made, in the mode of worship, by the open revelation of Christ; but it must not be understood from thence, that the way of acceptance with God in Christ, differed in the old Testament Church from the New.
Both were one, and the same. The former was a shadow of good things to come, but then, us now, the body was Christ. And blessed be God, our Father, under the law and before the Law, as well as their children under the Gospel, in every ministration and in every service, had an eye to the Lamb slain from he foundation of the World. Their services, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, yea, the book of the Law, and all the people were sprinkled with blood. And hence we find old Testament saints chanting their hymns of salvation to God and the Lamb. Job knew that his kinsman Redeemer lived (Job 19:25).
David sung his dying love song in the believing views he had of a Covenant ordered in all things and sure; and which was all his salvation, and all his desire. And indeed, all the faithful, in every age of the Church, from the first dawn of revelation, in Abel’s faith offering, down to Zechariah's day at the Altar of Incense, in the moment of Christ’s coming, blessed God, in the soul-living expectation of mercy promised.
Reader, learn to estimate, the high privileges of redemption in Jesus; and be it your daily song of thanksgiving, and praise, that you are come to Jesus the mediator, and to the blood of sprinkling. Oh, the blessedness, the preciousness, he unspeakable greatness of the mercy Jesus your Jesus if so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious; to whom coming and in, and through, and by Jesus, to God the
New sermon series at The Home Church
LODI — The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The Home Church is exploring the path laid out through God’s Word in Exodus 20 on Sunday mornings in January at 10:30 a.m. You’ll find great music, biblical teaching and fellow travelers to walk with you on your journey. The Home Church is located at 11451 N. West Lane. For more information call 209-339-7333, email or visit
Financial Peace University at Lifeline Community Church in Lodi
LODI — Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University is coming to Lifeline Community Church on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. The nine-week course provides families and individuals with practical tools to gain control of their finances and set themselves up for long-term financial success. The course meets once a week. A different lesson is taught by Ramsey on DVD followed by a small-group discussion. Lessons include budgeting, relationships and money, getting out of debt, saving for emergencies and investing. To register call 209-369-3004. The church is located at 500 Park St.
Faith Bible Institute at The Home Church
LODI — The Home Church will be offering Faith Bible Institute, a course that takes you through the Bible, on Wednesdays beginning Jan. 18 at 6:15 p.m. Students study chronologically through every Bible book and doctrine in classes that meet one evening each week. FBI combines verse-byverse Bible teaching, student workbooks, and group classes. To register online, visit For more information, call 209-339-7333 or visit
The church is located at 11451 N. West Lane.
No service at Beth Hallel
LODI — Beth Hallel will not be holding it’s regular Saturday services this Saturday, Jan. 7 only. Services will resume the following week.
Men have the authority to lead
Editor: Why did Hillary Clinton, a radical feminist, choose a man underneath her as vice-president? Why not just another woman? The evil of Ephesians 6:12 is all-encompassing. Without the Holy Ghost in opposition, there is no truth. Western Civilization has a “Traditional Catholic Foundation (universities).”
A man “had” to be chosen to subvert most Holy Triune God’s Order: to mock different roles for men and women. Only men are given authority to head church, country and family.
Clinton’s vice-president had to falsely be labeled as a devout “Traditional” Catholic to smear the only Truth given to the “Traditional” Catholic Church. “Traditional Catholics don’t waver in respect to abortion-nor approve role reversals.
Some women acknowledge the untruthfulness of Hillary Clinton by saying: “If only we had a better woman.” No, women are not to head the country. Original sin originated from role reversal (1 Timothy 2:11-15). Satan reverses “Divine Order”: Black mass, Karl Marx, Communist Satanist, Wrote a play reversing Emmanuel (“God with us” — Matthew 1:23).
The final battle? A straight line of demarcation: On the left will be the false communion of men “without” God (Communism) — New World Order. On the right, the “Traditional” Catholic Eucharist of respect — Communion of men “with” God-John 6 (through Him, with Him, and in Him). The banner overhead overhead will be “Unity,” But the question remains: Communion of men “with” or “without” God.
One candidate’s untruthfulness does not automatically distinguish the other. Violation of marital laws (infidelity) or bankruptcy (working the government to your advantage) will result in more compromise. Complete removal of socialized health care or merely “Cosmetic” compromise? Modern California (even religion) is dependent of government-not God. “EBT cards” acceptable? Food stamps? Slavery (debt-credit) replaces cash.
Saviour? Bend your knee to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist-only. True Communion “walk” in the Holy Ghost following Confession (repentance of sins) — 1 Corinthians 11:2729. 2 Candidates representing “Babylon New York City. Big Government solutions lead to “ungodly” revolutions, starting with the “egalitarian” French Revolution. 1 John 1:6 — “If we say we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do “not” the TRUTH.”
Free retreat offered to caregivers
LODI — First United Methodist Church of Lodi is sponsoring a free retreat, The Essence of Care on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The retreat is designed to provide family caregivers with respite, rejuvenation and renewal.
This is a day of celebrating you, for your love and dedication as a family caregiver. Learn strategies for selfcare through understanding our experiences, knowing our limits and creating meaningful support.
Anchored in the powerful practice of listening to ourselves, learn how to renew connections with those you love and care for. This retreat is specifically for family caregivers, not providers.
Featured speakers are Julie Interrante, Ginger McMurchie, and Gail Arno. For information, and to register, please contact First United Methodist Church at 209-368-5357 or by email at Refreshments and lunch are included. Space is limited. The deadline to register is Jan. 27. The church is located at 200 W. Oak St. in Lodi.
MLK Day Celebration of Unity to be held at First Methodist Church
LODI — The Breakthrough Project for Social Justice will be sponsoring it’s 19th annual Celebration of Unity on Monday, Jan. 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m., honoring the peacemaking legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It will be held at First United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall on 200 W. Oak St.
Assemblyman Jim Cooper will be the keynote speaker. There will also be the announcement of the Art Raab Memorial Essay Contest winners and a recognition of peacemakers in the community.
Founded 18 years ago in response to hate crimes in Lodi, the Breakthrough Project for Social Justice reaches out with compassion and sympathy to victims of hate crimes. The project also promotes greater understanding and tolerance of the diverse ethnic, religious and cultural groups in the community.