Is God a Racist was my question to a Swamiji from Ramakrishna Mission:
How & When this happened:
My wife Arundhuti aka Mithu is a Bengali from Singapore and a Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's Devotee and my Father in Law Dr. Manilal Gupta was the President of RamaKrishna Mission Singapore. So every trip to Singapore a Visit to Rama Krishna Mission was a must.
I have been to the RamaKrishna Mission in Mylapore Madras a few times and my knowledge was limited to Sri Ramakrishnas story that I read in Amar Chitra Katha. Truely Divine man.
I enjoyed my visits to the Singapore Mission and talking to the Swamijis and praying, except one thing. I refused to prostrate or touch Swamijis feet and seek blessings. I did not want any one between me and my God unless it was my Mother..
I got married in 1980 and around 1983 my sister-in-law had organised a big gathering of friends at her place in Burwood as Swamiji was visiting and will be giving a talk. Mithu and I joined and sat on the floor in the hall and listened to Swamijis talk. Quite enlightening talk with a touch of humour. Don't remember what he said though. Blame old age and failing memory for this.
Then it was question Time and the elders were asking many questions. When there were no more questions, I raised my Hand. My sister in law was Prompt in introducing me to Swamiji as her Brother in law.. and all heads turned to me waiting for my question.
I asked Swamiji " Is God a Racist ?"
If looks could Kill, so many people glared at me that I should have died instantly. Swamiji Smiled and said "wonder why you asked this question young man ? I am quite intrigued"..
I said "Swamiji We Hindus Believe in Reincarnation do we not ?" He said Yes.
"We also believe that in our next life we will pay for our mistakes in this life ?" He said yes we pay for our Karma.
So if I am a bad man in this life I am going to be worse off in my next life and made to suffer for all my sins"
Swamiji said May be. Come to the point.
Before I could say anything someone yelled at me and told me to shut up. Swamiji signalled the man to keep quiet and asked me to proceed.
I said Swamiji "if we look at the world now, The White skinned people are living affluent lives and the Blacks in Africa are just slightly better off than wild animals. Brown skinned Indians are slightly better than Africans.. Yellow Skinned Chinese or Asians are better of than Indians. Olive skinned mediterranean Population are better off that the Asians.."
My conclusion is darker the skin colour the more severe your Karma from Previous life.
There was Pin drop silence and one Lady said Interesting observation Ram, I too want Swamiji to explain this to us and asked the same question. Is God a Racist.?
I got my message through but Swamiji joked about it but had no answer to my question besides questioning my question.
