Blogs, beliefs and brickbats

A lot has been written about religion on blogs. However, protest, sarcasm and mockery of beliefs are the new tones in religious blog talk. We track the trend

Movie reviews, political pondering and personal expression blogs have been used for everything. Now that religion forms an integral part of it all, the subject, itself, has blown up to make blogosphere a battleground of faiths. Read on as we overviewu00a0 the latest fad in Web world.

Talking Points: From mild to moderate to extreme, bloggers' expressions vary to every degree. Some support or disapprove faith, while others question the cynicism and illogical confines around it.

Forceful conversions, terrorism in the name of religion, and violence against missionaries there's nothing that's not being discussed.

"I may not like everything that my religion vouches for, but then, I have to talk about it. Having said that, it's not only about opposition to a particular belief.

On one hand, I may question the communal outlook of several Hindu fanatics, but on the other, I am quite impressed with the freedom that my religion provides," says Rajesh Kumar, an avid blogger-activist.

Freedom in the Right Sense: Our constitution gives us the right tou00a0 freedom of expression and speech, but for the majority of citizens, its execution is only restricted on paper. This holds true especially when one wants to talk about religion.

There are set boundaries that you 'can't' surpass, a result of our multicultural, multiethnic, and not to forget, super sensitive population. One controversial statement, and rage knows no bounds.

That's the reason why blog platforms are fast becoming a mode to express such sentiments they aren't read by grassroot level fanatics, are purely personal, and more often that not, go blissfully unnoticed by the larger junta.
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Those who read it understand and argue back, in a virtually 'safe,' unreachable stage that of comments.
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Whether it's Varun Gandhi's communal remarks, shoe-throwing analysis or a Hindu-Muslim theory you want to profess, you can talk about it the way you want thanks to unclear zip up laws on blogs in India, or for that matter, anywhere.

"Everyone has opinions and reactions to everything, even sensitive matters.Where do I go spill them? I can't do it publicly, because I will be locked up for inflicting communal disturbance.

On my blog, I'm free to write anything and everything," sums up Chavvi Malhotra, an avid blogger. Truly, they say, the Web is limitless.

Writing against faith? Things to keep in mind:

Check your facts: Don't key in wrong information; it could be misleading and disturbing.

Consider the implications: Analyse the effects of your post, don't write on impulse. You don't want to be offensive.

Moderate the comments: Reactions could be abusive and illogical. Delete them if needed.u00a0

Know your reach: If your blog has a wide readership, you ought to take extra care. Remember your role as an opinion leader.

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