Check out these Freedom of Religion images:

TN native/Navy chaplain leads Sailors and Marines in prayer during a contemporary Christian service in the forecastle of USS Ronald Reagan

Image by Official U.S. Navy Imagery
ARABIAN SEA (July 10, 2011) Cmdr. Darrel Wesley, from Chattanooga, Tenn., command chaplain aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), leads Sailors and Marines in prayer during a contemporary Christian service in the forecastle of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting close-air support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexander Tidd/Released) 110710-N-UO379-183

Freedom to Unbelieve

Image by thaths
I am at a state government office in mysore waiting for a powerful bureaucrat to come back from his meeting with his superiors. He ordered us to be here at 11. It is 12:30. No sign of him amid the busy bodies bustling about the place, doing what, i cannot fathom. I dare not step out in the fear that the bureaucrat will swing by his office on his way to a leisurely lunch while i am away sipping tea. Then i’d have to wait for hours on end. A couple of self important peons are curious to find out who we are. We give intentionally vague replies sadistically denying them what they feed on and trade in – information.

Glancing around the office i am struck by just how much religion – especially hinduism – is intermingled with office life in india. There is a peepal tree with a small shrine in the compound of this place. And every surface i see has a smear of these triple tracks of holy ash considered auspicious to shiva. I know that india is not a talibanized theocrazy (much to the regret of the khaki shorts) yet, Religion is so intertwined with everyday life. People like the conservative Right, i am sure, points to India as some place where morals and religion are a way of life. Only someone who has stepped foot in a government office in india will know how wrong they are.

As an atheist i offended by the overt displays of religion in government offices. I do not care in front of which stone someone prays at home. I do care when my tax rupees are subsidizing someone elses superstitions. I wonder if the separation of church and state promised in the constitution is ever actually practiced.