The Critique

Zealot , Reza Aslan, Harper Collins Publishers, 2013, ISBN 978-93-5136-076-6, Rs. 499, Pp. xxxiv+296 Reza Aslan is an internationally acclaimed writer and scholar of religions. He was born in Iran but now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons. His first book, No god but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam , has been translated into thirteen languages and named by Blackwell’s as one of the hundred most important books of the last decade. This book is a fruit of over twenty years of research and is an attempt to reconstruct a biography of Jesus that is in keeping with the historical data available. A perusal through the history of the world will reveal many significant milestones, events and people who changed or shaped the course of history. Men and women down the ages through their lives and legacy have affected history either positively or negatively. Some are remembered while others are lost is copious texts under heaps of detail. This biography is a...

‘We, the Salesians of Don Bosco,’ article 2 of our constitutions begins, ‘form a community of the baptized.’ The nature of our congregation therefore, is communitarian. We are not called to independent living and isolated working but to inter-dependent living and collaborative working. Community life is a core aspect of the Salesian identity. “How good it is for brothers to dwell as one” (Ps 133:1). Don Bosco wanted Salesian houses to become families where all feel welcome and responsible for the common good. He saw in community living an opportunity for witness. We are familiar with the hymn which goes, “they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” Along similar lines, Don Bosco wanted the Salesians to be known for their family spirit, pickled with optimism, joy, temperance, work and creativity in mission. The Salesian call is at its source, a call to follow Christ, the Good Shepherd. The Salesian spirit finds its model in the very heart of Christ, apostle of the Father (article...

Director: Rajkumar Hirani Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma Duration: 153 mins One might marvel at the fuss surrounding PK . Frankly, there is nothing heretical or sacrilegious in its content. Why then did so many ‘religious’ people find their sentiments hurt? Perhaps because PK took a side swipe at them. It sought to expose the true nature of religion obscured by blind sentimental devotion being paraded as religion and preached by many religious leaders today. PK (Aamir Khan) is an alien, who comes to earth to scout the region. He lands in Bhojpur and on his very first encounter with a human being, he is robbed of his only possession: a remote control with which he can contact his space ship. Thus begins the adventure of PK, in search of his remote control. Simultaneously, we are recounted the story of Jaggu (Anushka Sharma), who is studying in Belgium . There, she meets and falls in love with a Pakistani boy, Sarfaraz (Sushant Singh Rajput). Her family is taken aback...