I live in a apartemnt complex and right across the hall from me is a Indian couple. They seem very nice but I have a concern about some things thay are doing that I believe may be connected to their beliefs. They have a swastika hanging up on their door that we have to look at everytime we enter our apartment but I don't think it is meant to represent anything bad in their belief. But now they have lit a candle outside of their door with powder all around the door. What other people do in their OWN home is their business but we are sharing a common hallway that myself and family use as well. Everytime someone comes over to visit me they feel kinda uneasy because they don't know if it's voodoo or something that is evil. I am not one to judge but like I said before, we share a common area that everyone uses. Can anyone give any advice on how to handle this?
2006-10-20 14:43:16 · 17 answers · asked by sillyme 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am not shallow minded, neither is anyone in my family. We all get along with people from all walks of life. I just want to know what it is so that I can explain to others that it is not intended to represnt anything bad. And I never suggested that I wanted to tell them to take it down, because if I wanted to I would have been called the front office of our complex to inform them that some has broken the rules of not hanging things on our doors.
2006-10-20 14:53:54 · update #1
I don't get why some people are telling me to be understanding about their beliefs when I already am and have been. They have had that swastika hanging on their door for months now and I have never acted diffrently towards them even though I didn't know exactly what it represented. It just concerned me when I walk out of my door and a candle and powder are in our hallway. I don't know anything about their beliefs to even try to judge them. I really just wanted to get some incite from others about what I could do about it, not even that I will do anything about it.
2006-10-20 15:09:09 · update #2
its probably not a swastica... it probably turns the other way .. see if its clockwise or souterclockwise...
probably just looks like one
try the direct approach... so... what does this symbol mean, I was curious... you dont have to agree witth them... just be their friend, pray for them and speak the truth in love
appropriately
2006-10-20 14:45:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a Swazi and a candle. Wax and whatever the Swazi is made out of. I would rather have an obvious Satanist next door then a deceptive Wolf in sheep's clothing pretending to be a brother or sister in Christ.
If you are secure in your belief then maybe a little understanding. Hindu's are way cool. I do not share their beliefs at all but I love them and think they are really neat. We are involved with Gospel For Asia so Indians are very close to our heart.
Incase you mean American Indian the same applies.
May GOD richly bless you.
2006-10-20 14:52:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the swastika is found throuhout most cultures and is a symbol of good luck. Too bad everyone's afraid of it now and it was banned in europe. They were originally on coke bottles, even though Coca-Cola denies it, but pictures aren't hard to find. Do you or anyone else have anything else in the hallway? If you do then it is only fair that they get to. If they loaded the hallway with their symbols, then that is wrong, but if they just hung something on their door, I can understand that.
2006-10-20 14:51:31 · answer #3 · answered by Kaiser32 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In India, you have people who place geometric designs in clock wise directions. THe nazi sign is in a counter clock wise direction. In religious definitions, if you have something point in a clockwise direction, that means progression. If it is counter clockwise, it means destruction and that is what the nazi's did. As for the powder on the floor and candle, it is symbolic of deep meaning. It is about life and how from nothing there is something. THere is so much deep religious connotation about this stuff. IT looks offensive but if you understand the principles behind the religion, then you will understand.
But for your case, I think you should not over react. It's their religion. IF they take up a lot of space, then tell them honestly. IF they take up a lot of space, then tell them about there are others to consider. Talk to them but don't strangle them. be diplomatic.
EDIT: possible solution:
Try get everyone together and set up a small discussion. tell inform your land lord first and if he approves, you have an honest open disscussion about how to solve the issue.
2006-10-20 15:00:59 · answer #4 · answered by Harry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try talking to your neighbors and explaining to them that you are curious as to why they put the candle and powder at the front door. You are curious because guests have asked you about it and you want to tell them the right thing . You don't want to assume anything. You have a 50/50 chance that they would be offended. If you approach them in a decent way you should have no problem. Maybe even invite them over sometime and get to know them. If you can't do that then just ignore it.
p.s. its not Vodou. I practice Vodou
2006-10-22 10:18:25 · answer #5 · answered by Nelly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before hitler came into power,I believe the swastika represented death and resurection,The candle and powder is probably an effort to protect their home from evil. I feel certain these people would not wish to offend anyone,please talk with them.try to understand their point of view. LOVE
2006-10-20 14:58:12 · answer #6 · answered by Weldon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, the swastika looking thing is a religious symbol for good luck. I know something looking like it has been deformed in history, but honestly that's what that is meaning. (The more you know....)
Anyway, the real issue here is that you need to talk to them and tell them that you respect their beliefs and their religion but you feel that it's intruding onto yours and you'd like it if they removed it to be on the inside of their doorway. Tell them the truth, it makes other people in the complex uncomfortable and that everyone needs to respect everyone's religious ideals.
2006-10-20 14:49:45 · answer #7 · answered by tarnishedhalo85 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the swastika was originally used as a symbol of peace - bear in mind that it doesn't represent to everyone what it represents to most of us.
I'm not sure about the candle though. Why don't you just ask them?
2006-10-20 14:47:13 · answer #8 · answered by lilly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply talk to the openly and honestly. Tell them that the open flame in the common area is a fire hazard and to please extinguish it. Also tell them the meaning of the symbol on their door in our culture. Perhaps they are unaware. Tell them it is offensive and would the please not display it on the door. If they do not comply, you will probably have to go to your property manager. But in my dealings with people, most people do not do things purposely that are hurtful to others.
2006-10-20 14:48:01 · answer #9 · answered by padwinlearner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it may just be away that indians use to protect the home from evil spirits entereing the house. Indians are very spiritual people.
2006-10-20 15:01:11 · answer #10 · answered by daisy322_98 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋