Dasturjis meeting against Conversion/Acceptance - A Grand Success
Dear Friends
The Public Meeting of the Dasturjis and Scholar Priests held on 15th February 2008 at Framjee Cawasjee Hall was a THUMPING SUCCESS!
A Success :
- not just in terms of the attendance of community members (It was a HOUSEFUL with over 800 attendees, some standing throughout the meeting) but also because the community members present UNANIMOUSLY passed a Resolution REJECTING CONVERSION/ACCEPTANCE as sought to be propagated by the likes of ARZ, AIMZ and their cohorts.
- because it received the support and blessings of ALL THE PRESENT VADA DASTURJIS. Those of them who could not attend for reasons of sickness/old age/pre-occupation, sent in their messages of support to the meeting and the Resolution passed thereat.
- because ALL THE TRADITONALS GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY PITCHED IN AND ENSURED THAT THE MEETING ACHIEVED ITS OBJECTIVES.
- because TRUTH prevailed and MISINFORMATION was shown the door.
- because NOT A SINGLE POLICEMAN HAD TO BE DEPLOYED FOR FEAR OF A BACKLASH!
Gracing the function were Dasturjis Peshotan Hormuzdyar Mirza of Udvada and Cyrus Noshirwan Dastoor of Surat, Scholar Priests Ervads Rooyintan Peer, Ramiyar Karanjia, Parvez Bajan and K N Dastoor. The meeting was compered by Mr Adi Doctor. Mrs Pervin Mistry, who initiated and spearheaded this whole show was also present on stage. In the audience were present amongst others, BPP Trustee, Dinshaw Mehta, three ex-Trustees, Ms Nellie Noble, Mr Eruch Desai and Mr Rustom Tirandaz, three Trustees of WAPIZ, Mr Khojeste Mistree, Mr Hoshang Wania and Mr Yazdi Desai. A handful of people from the opposition were also present but obviously decided that discretion was the better part of valour and chose to maintain a discrete silence rather than expose their irreligious leanings.
Both the Dasturjis, with great fervour and eloquence, forcefully decried the attempts made to legitimise Acceptance/Conversion and gave very lucid explanations and references from the scriptures for the same. This was in stark contrast to the charade made a fortnight ago by Kersey Antia, who chose to promote conversion but COULD NOT OFFER EVEN ONE AUTHENTIC REFERENCE FROM THE EXTANT SCRIPTURES for the same. Their talk was accompanied by several rounds of thunderous applause.
The Scholar Priests too gave very effective rebuttals to the pro-conversion theories of ARZ, AIMZ and others. Ervad Ramiyar gave references to show that conversion never formed part of the Gathas or other scriptures.
Ervad Peer gave a historical perspective of the community's stay in India and how over the centuries the community had acted to save its religion and traditions rather than succumb to the evil of conversion.
Ervad Bajan gave references from the works of Late Dasturji Hormuzdyar K Mirza to show that conversion was a myth and never formed a part of the scriptures.
Ervad K N Dastoor explained the scheme of things in nature and why it was spiritually harmful to indulge in conversion. He also indicated that legally every community had a right to practise its own religion and no court of law had the authority to intervene in these beliefs or grant any reliefs to persons who sought to go against these practices. He also debunked the various claims made by Antia in his earlier talk.
The Resolution passed UNANIMOUSLY at the said meeting is attached.
The whole event was a success thanks to the untiring efforts of those involved in it, premier amongst them being Mrs Pervin Mistry, who conceived the whole idea of this meeting, Anahita and Yazdi Desai for their wholehearted administrative support and inputs and all the other co-religionists who pitched in with their time, money and efforts to make the event a MEMORABLE ONE.
Hanoz M Mistry
The Report of the Public Meeting of the Dasturjis and Scholar Priests has appeared in Saturday's Times of India on page 11.
A copy is attached.
Does Zoroasfrianism enjoin conversion? Did Parsis living in India for the past
1,300 years ever go out and proselytise peopie from other faiths?
The answer was a categorical "no" at a public meeting called by the cornmunity's
Vada Dasturs (high priests) on Friday to counter the claims of a rebel priest
from the USA, Kersy Antia, who recently publicly called for converting people
from other faiths in order to increase the dwindling Parsi population. There are
about 45,000 Parsi-Irani Zoroastrians left in Mumbai. Almost a thousand people
attended the meeting.
Antia was jeered by a group of traditionalists after his lecture on acceptance
at the YB Chavan hall earlier this month. He contended that the religion allowed
conversion, but many felt that he simply twisted the scriptures to propagate his
views.
"This meeting has beei called specifically to oppose this false propaganda.
Antia has tried to draw a line between acceptance and conversion by stating that
acceptance is conversion by persuasion. Our view is that when you persuade
someone to convert, you are in fact, blaspheming the other religion, saying that
one is better than the other," said advocate and scholar priest K N Dastoor, who
was the main speaker at the gathering.
'Parsis are respected because they respect all religions and are
non-interfering. Besides, it is dangerous for such a small community if it
starts/luring people from other faiths into ours," he added.
Avesta scholar Adi Doctor said, "There are innumerable references in the entire
Zoroastrian scrip.tures including the Gathas against conversion and
proselytisation. Every individual is enjoined to foilow his own religion." To
buttress his argument, Doctor quoted some passages from the Gospels of St
Matthew and St John, to "vindicate" what has been said in the Zoroastrian
scriptures against conversion.
A resolution passed unanimously during the meeting said, "The community condemns
and puts on record its strong protest against the anti-Zarthushtrian activities
of acceptance/conversion perpetrated as well as propagated by
certainanti-religious groups and against the speech delivered by one Dr Kersy
Antia on February 2,2008."
"The community affirms and asserts its fuil faith and belief in the tenets,
traditions as well as practices of the religion observed for thousands of
years."
PLEASE PASS ON NEWS OF THIS HISTORIC AND SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT IN SAVING OUR RELIGION TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
HUMATA HUKHTA HAVARASHTA
16 Feb 2008
As expected, the public meeting of Vada Dasturjis, Ervad Sahebs (priests), Scholars and teachers of the religion held in Mumbai on 15th February 2008 was a great success.
The distinguished men of our religion clearly gave references to show that conversion never formed part of the Gathas or other scriptures.
We were glad to know that over 800+ people attended, and it was a case of "House-Full", some people standing throughout the meeting because of this. This shows that the common Zarathushti men and women do care for their religion and are very concerned about the mis-truths and mistrust propounded by groups like ARZ, AIMZ and lately by Kersey Antia of Chicago.
We were told that the meeting was a thumping success for the following reasons:
* Not just in terms of the attendance of community members (It was a HOUSEFULL with over 800 attendees, some standing throughout the meeting) but also because the community members present UNANIMOUSLY passed a Resolution REJECTING CONVERSION/ACCEPTANCE as sought to be propagated by the likes of ARZ and AIMZ.
* Because it received the support and blessings of ALL THE PRESENT VADA DASTURJIS. Those of them who could not attend for reasons of sickness/old age/pre-occupation, sent in their messages of support to the meeting and the Resolution passed thereat.
* Because ALL THE TRADITONALS GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY PITCHED IN AND ENSURED THAT THE MEETING ACHIEVED ITS OBJECTIVES.
* Because TRUTH prevailed and MISINFORMATION was shown the door.
Gracing the function were Dasturjis Peshotan Hormuzdyar Mirza of Udvada and Cyrus Noshirwan Dastoor of Surat, Scholar Priests Ervads Rooyintan Peer, Ramiyar Karanjia, Parvez Bajan and K N Dastoor. The meeting was compered by Mr Adi Doctor. Mrs Pervin Mistry, who initiated and spearheaded this whole show was also present on stage. In the audience were present amongst others, Dinshaw Mehta, BPP Trustee and three ex-Trustees, Ms Nellie Noble, Mr Eruch Desai and Mr Rustom Tirandaz. A handful of people from the opposition were also present but sensibly decided that discretion was the better part of valour and chose to maintain a discrete silence rather than expose their irreligious leanings.
Both the Dasturjis, with great fervour and eloquence, forcefully decried the attempts made to legitimise Acceptance/Conversion and gave very lucid explanations and references from the scriptures for the same. This was in stark contrast to the charade made a fortnight ago by Kersey Antia, who chose to promote conversion but COULD NOT OFFER EVEN ONE AUTHENTIC REFERENCE FROM THE EXTANT SCRIPTURES for the same. Their talk was accompanied by several rounds of thunderous applause.
The Scholar Priests too gave very effective rebuttals to the pro-conversion theories of ARZ, AIMZ and others. Ervad Ramiyar gave references to show that conversion never formed part of the Gathas or other scriptures.
Ervad Peer gave a historical perspective of the community's stay in India and how over the centuries the community had acted to save its religion and traditions rather than succumb to the evil of conversion.
Ervad Bajan gave references from the works of Late Dasturji Hormuzdyar K Mirza to show that conversion was a myth and never formed a part of the scriptures.
Ervad K N Dastoor explained the scheme of things in nature and why it was spiritually harmful to indulge in conversion. He also indicated that legally every community had a right to practise its own religion and no court of law had the authority to intervene in these beliefs or grant any reliefs to persons who sought to go against these practices. He also debunked the various claims made by Antia in his earlier talk.
The Resolution passed UNANIMOUSLY at the said meeting is attached.
The whole event was a success thanks to the untiring efforts of those involved in it.
So there we have it, dear Zarathushti humdins. Once again, our Vada Dasturjis, Ervad Sahebs, sincere Zarathushti scholars and ordinary and sincere Zarathushtis who rallied around to save their religion and community from misguided groups.
We hope that now ARZ stop their misleading campaign in the Parsee press and instead use their resources and talents to help the youngsters of our community to marry within, marry early and increase the population by having many many Zoroastrian children.
With best wishes
TZML Admins
(see below for the Resolution passed)
Resolution passed by the members of the Parsi-Irani Zarthushti
community present at the Public Meeting held on Friday February 15th
2008 at the Framjee Cawasjee Institute, Dhobi Talao, Mumbai.
This Public Meeting held on Friday February 15th 2008, at the Framjee
Cawasjee Institute, Mumbai, of the Parsi-Irani-Zarthushti Community
hereby condemns and puts on record its strong protest against the anti-
Zarthushtrian activities of 'acceptance'/conversion perpetrated and
propagated by certain anti-religious groups and against the speech delivered
by one Dr. Kersey Antia from U.S.A. at Y.B. Chavan Auditorium, Mumbai
on 2nd February 2008 on the subject named as 'Acceptance', and hereby:
1. "RESOLVES that the Parsi community affirms and asserts its full
faith and belief in the tenets, traditions and practices of the Zarthushti
Religion observed for thousands of years and reiterates its
commitment to maintain its distinct identity and preserve and practice
the Zarthushti Religion as handed down to us by our ancestors.
2. FURTHER RESOLVES that the Parsi community firmly declares that
the Zarthushti Religion forbids 'acceptance'/Conversion by any
method including adoption of non-Parsi-Irani-Zarthushtis to our
religion and considers such an act to be a religious sin.
3. FURTHER RESOLVES that the Parsi community strongly deplores
and condemns the anti-religious attempts being made by the
Association for Revival of Zoroastrianism (ARZ), Association of
Intermarried Zoroastrians (AIMZ) and other misguided individuals to
subvert the tenets and traditions of the Zarthushti Religion and spread
a distorted version of its sublime teachings as enshrined in the Holy
Avesta.
4. FURTHER RESOLVES that this Meeting strongly condemns and
disapproves Dr. Antia's views on 'acceptance'/conversion as it
grossly deviates from the established religious norms and the opinions
of the Vada Dasturjis expressed by them from time to time.
5. FURTHER RESOLVES that the Parsis who have lived in India for
centuries are grateful to the Hindu Community and the Hindu
Religion for allowing us to preserve and follow our religious
disciplines and practices and to protect our religious institutions.
6. FURTHER RESOLVES that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to
the Parsi Punchayat, Athornan Mandal and various Anjumans and
Associations of India".
PLEASE PASS ON NEWS OF THIS HISTORIC AND SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT IN SAVING OUR RELIGION TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
HUMATA HUKHTA JHAVARASHTRA
Dear Zarathushti humdins,
Forwarded to you is a very informative report by Mrs. Pervin J Mistry on what actually happened at the Antia talk on 2nd Feb.
We are glad that Parsis made a dignified protest on what is a non-issue in the Zoroastrian religion, viz "Acceptance" / "Conversion"
Conversion is a big "Con" played on trusting people. If non-Zoroastrians like the teachings of our Prophet, they can always read our Scriptures and put its lofty message in their daily life to help them become better human beings. But formal "conversion" or proselytism is not sanctioned.
And please do not forget - on 15th Feb, the Vada Dasturjis are going to give a press statement. They will be giving a public rebuttal to Kersey Antia's "Acceptance in Zoroastrianism"
Meanwhile, please read below for what happened on 2nd Feb.
Sincerely
TZML Admins.
Dear Friends,
There are some false rumors going around re the event of February 2, 2008 when Kersey Antia gave his speech.
First of all, there were no 'hooligans' present at this meeting on February 2, at the Y.B. Chavan Auditorium.
If anything, it is Kersey Antia who got a dose of his own medicine and he should know this better than others,
being a psychiatrist himself!
At one of the North American Zoroastrian Congresses that FEZANA organizes every 2 years, in Houston,
when one of the Guest Speakers, one of the learned Dasturjis who was invited from India to speak,
was giving his speech from the podium, it was this same Kersey Antia who started shouting derogatory
words to the Dasturji Saheb! This time, he got a dose of his own medicine from those who came to listen to him.
Besides, the 'hooligan' community in North America (there are many polite and civil ones too) has
always treated speakers who hold traditional views with contempt. Shall we say the entire heterodox
community in North America is full of 'hooligans'? In North America, opposition has not been amicably
tolerated. Often, in the past, individuals have written their views in the FEZANA Journal as to how
these Congresses held and supported mainly the one sided view, the heterodox view!
These are facts.
Here, on February 2, 2008, when Kersey Antia was delivering his speech, the traditionalists did not
disrupt his talk! In fact, when he was speaking, everyone clapped when he correctly said that in
the Gathas, Ha 30, the choice is between the two Paths! After stating this, he went directly into
propagating 'acceptance'/conversion! It is only when the questions were not being addressed that
those who wanted to ask about the choice between the two Paths as opposed to the choice between
the two religions ('acceptance'/conversion), and the refusal to answer these, that some in
the audience started shouting that the questions must be answered, as promised at the start of the speech.
It was then that Antia was visibly shaken. Also, no one was thrown out!!! People who wanted to ask
questions themselves got up and left because they did not want to see the video promoting conversion.
So, in the end, I would say that Kersey Antia got a dose of his own medicine! And, no one was held,
taken into custody as falsely reported. Even the trustees of ARZ/AIMZ, Dr. Grant, Mr. Jeejeebhoy,
Mrs. Meher Amarsee and the Guest Speaker, Mr. DaCunha left as soon as the question-answer session
was over! And, it took 15 police to escort on so-called "Vada Dastur", Kersey Antia to his car?
This is unbelievable!
Sincerely,
Pervin J Mistry.