Comments on: Is Swastika a Symbol of Evil? http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil The Internationalist Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:46:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: triskele http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil#comment-14883 triskele Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:31:26 +0000 http://www.abytheliberal.com/2007/04/12/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil/#comment-14883 Sadly I have to agree that the symbol, however beautiful it is, has been destroyed by the National Socialist regime of Mr Hitler. I have been to many Asian countries and seen it adorn many buildings, temples etc. It also adorns sites and churches across Europe, Celtic sites in the UK and ireland and Native American sites in North America. I could argue that it is rescuable-a hindi friend who lives in Germany advocates a day where everyone throws coloured/glittering swastikas into the streets to reclaim it. Every symbol is merely a shape but this one has psychiatric problems - the burden it carries by being "messed-up" psychologically by Mr Hitler etc is maybe too much to bear. The runes, triskele etc were not abused as much by the Nazis and are, thankfully, slowly regaining their"original" dignity. The christian cross has been abused by the klu klux Klan but no one is fooled by them and the cross remains true to its roots (whatever that means to christians,jews,muslims,zorostians etc ). As Steven Heller says in his book "The Swastika - Symbol beyond redemption?" - "On the scales of meaning the horror that the swastika (in Europe) evokes far outweighs any benign attributes it may have". It will take generations to balance this equation in much of the world (sadly) Sadly I have to agree that the symbol, however beautiful it is, has been destroyed by the National Socialist regime of Mr Hitler. I have been to many Asian countries and seen it adorn many buildings, temples etc. It also adorns sites and churches across Europe, Celtic sites in the UK and ireland and Native American sites in North America.
I could argue that it is rescuable-a hindi friend who lives in Germany advocates a day where everyone throws coloured/glittering swastikas into the streets to reclaim it.
Every symbol is merely a shape but this one has psychiatric problems - the burden it carries by being “messed-up” psychologically by Mr Hitler etc is maybe too much to bear.
The runes, triskele etc were not abused as much by the Nazis and are, thankfully, slowly regaining their”original” dignity. The christian cross has been abused by the klu klux Klan but no one is fooled by them and the cross remains true to its roots (whatever that means to christians,jews,muslims,zorostians etc ).
As Steven Heller says in his book “The Swastika - Symbol beyond redemption?” - “On the scales of meaning the horror that the swastika (in Europe) evokes far outweighs any benign attributes it may have”. It will take generations to balance this equation in much of the world (sadly)

]]> By: The Man http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil#comment-11267 The Man Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:46:07 +0000 http://www.abytheliberal.com/2007/04/12/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil/#comment-11267 Most people in the Western World do not really know about the swastika as an ancient symbol of worship. It is your duty to inform them about it because what most them know about the swastika is that it's a Nazi Symbol. No matter how hard you try to criticze or call names to the Christians, Moslems, Jews and the western World, that will not change the view point until you take the time to explain. Most of us did not know it represent except that it was a symbol of nazi and you cannnot blame them for that. It was misused by Hitler and only him alone can be blame for that. If you donnot want it to be misuse then create the awerness among these group who sees as a symbol of evil Most people in the Western World do not really know about the swastika as an ancient symbol of worship. It is your duty to inform them about it because what most them know about the swastika is that it’s a Nazi Symbol.

No matter how hard you try to criticze or call names to the Christians, Moslems, Jews and the western World, that will not change the view point until you take the time to explain.

Most of us did not know it represent except that it was a symbol of nazi and you cannnot blame them for that. It was misused by Hitler and only him alone can be blame for that. If you donnot want it to be misuse then create the awerness among these group who sees as a symbol of evil

]]> By: Henry http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil#comment-7012 Henry Wed, 07 May 2008 21:49:05 +0000 http://www.abytheliberal.com/2007/04/12/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil/#comment-7012 New note to dumb Americans. learn to recognise one flag from another.This will also help you avoid making assholes of yourselves. New note to dumb Americans. learn to recognise one flag from another.This will also help you avoid making assholes of yourselves.

]]> By: Cyparagon http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil#comment-6769 Cyparagon Tue, 06 May 2008 16:18:14 +0000 http://www.abytheliberal.com/2007/04/12/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil/#comment-6769 Hey limey (Miloy)! Who invited you into this discussion? We all know that you are only another Nazi who can barely punctuate English sentences. Henry I know you want to carry on the fascist blackshirt legacy with that crap of a swastika. Too sad that we Americans kicked your italian ass to show who the real man is. Hey limey (Miloy)! Who invited you into this discussion? We all know that you are only another Nazi who can barely punctuate English sentences. Henry I know you want to carry on the fascist blackshirt legacy with that crap of a swastika. Too sad that we Americans kicked your italian ass to show who the real man is.

]]> By: Henry http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil#comment-6270 Henry Sat, 03 May 2008 21:13:31 +0000 http://www.abytheliberal.com/2007/04/12/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil/#comment-6270 The Swastika is a common sight in the east.I have seen it on T-shirts cell phone covers etc.It can appear on just about anything.Apart from its association with many religons I believe it also symbolises the Sun.Note to dumb American tourists learn the culture of the countries you visit.This may help you avoid making assholes of yourselves. The Swastika is a common sight in the east.I have seen it on T-shirts cell phone covers etc.It can appear on just about anything.Apart from its association with many religons I believe it also symbolises the Sun.Note to dumb American tourists learn the culture of the countries you visit.This may help you avoid making assholes of yourselves.

]]> By: Miloy04 http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil#comment-6226 Miloy04 Sat, 03 May 2008 13:22:25 +0000 http://www.abytheliberal.com/2007/04/12/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil/#comment-6226 The swastika in itself is meaningless. It was originally a Jain symbol as described as above. The use of the symbol itself is irrelevant, it's the INTENTION behind its use which matters. That is why Demitrius is wholly correct in this respect and Cyparagon is incorrect since he/she believes that the meaning behind the swastika is static and means the same thing in all contexts. However there is no surprise here as his speech has all the rantings and poorly expressed ravings of someone who does not understand the facts and of course, another American with the tragic yet extremely arrogant and unjustified American superiority complex .(AKA "The American Condition") This entails the view that only Americans can decide the meaning and use of a symbol which most of them do not understand its original roots. In fact it would not be unfair to say that Cyparagon typifies exactly what is discussed in the "Are Americans Stupid" blog. The swastika in itself is meaningless. It was originally a Jain symbol as described as above. The use of the symbol itself is irrelevant, it’s the INTENTION behind its use which matters. That is why Demitrius is wholly correct in this respect and Cyparagon is incorrect since he/she believes that the meaning behind the swastika is static and means the same thing in all contexts. However there is no surprise here as his speech has all the rantings and poorly expressed ravings of someone who does not understand the facts and of course, another American with the tragic yet extremely arrogant and unjustified American superiority complex .(AKA “The American Condition”) This entails the view that only Americans can decide the meaning and use of a symbol which most of them do not understand its original roots. In fact it would not be unfair to say that Cyparagon typifies exactly what is discussed in the “Are Americans Stupid” blog.

]]> By: Cyparagon http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil#comment-5313 Cyparagon Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:56:14 +0000 http://www.abytheliberal.com/2007/04/12/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil/#comment-5313 The holocaust is not a lie you moron kooks. By letting people use swastika you are insulting the memories of the dead Jews. Fuck your culture. We are Americans you follow what we have to say. The holocaust is not a lie you moron kooks. By letting people use swastika you are insulting the memories of the dead Jews. Fuck your culture. We are Americans you follow what we have to say.

]]> By: Demitrius http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil#comment-4444 Demitrius Sun, 03 Feb 2008 01:03:07 +0000 http://www.abytheliberal.com/2007/04/12/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil/#comment-4444 The swastika is a symbol, as are letters, numbers, icons, and words. It's only a tool created and used by men. There is no reason to argue over its meaning as we are the ones who decide on the meaning of anything we lay eyes upon. It is good to spread knowledge of the different meanings of things so as to avoid confusion. If one with this knowledge were to happen upon a Buddhist temple with the swastika on it he would know that it is not a necessarily Nazi temple. If one without this knowledge were to see someone wearing this symbol as a charm on a necklace, they might incorrectly judge its significance and the ideas that this person might be trying to communicate. Symbols are meant to help us communicate, but they do not replace real communication. If you see someone bearing this symbol you don't have to be afraid, and you don't have to judge them. If they are open to it, and if you don't have a valid reason to fear for your physical safety, you might communicate with them. You may find that even those who have Nazi views or a similar views are human beings too. You may have something to learn from them, and they may have something to learn from you. After all, if these "scary" men went around harming people all of the time, it is unlikely that they would survive in freedom long enough to be there to speak to you. Let go of your fear and judgments. These human emotions are there to protect our lives and are nothing to fear or judge in and of themselves. However, except in the case of immediate physical harm, they are usually simply reminders to be aware of your situation. If you dwell too much on these types of emotions, you cloud your vision and increase the opportunities for ignorance to influence your decisions, which leads directly to the manifestation of the things we feared from the start. -Peace The swastika is a symbol, as are letters, numbers, icons, and words. It’s only a tool created and used by men. There is no reason to argue over its meaning as we are the ones who decide on the meaning of anything we lay eyes upon.

It is good to spread knowledge of the different meanings of things so as to avoid confusion. If one with this knowledge were to happen upon a Buddhist temple with the swastika on it he would know that it is not a necessarily Nazi temple. If one without this knowledge were to see someone wearing this symbol as a charm on a necklace, they might incorrectly judge its significance and the ideas that this person might be trying to communicate.

Symbols are meant to help us communicate, but they do not replace real communication. If you see someone bearing this symbol you don’t have to be afraid, and you don’t have to judge them. If they are open to it, and if you don’t have a valid reason to fear for your physical safety, you might communicate with them.

You may find that even those who have Nazi views or a similar views are human beings too. You may have something to learn from them, and they may have something to learn from you. After all, if these “scary” men went around harming people all of the time, it is unlikely that they would survive in freedom long enough to be there to speak to you.

Let go of your fear and judgments. These human emotions are there to protect our lives and are nothing to fear or judge in and of themselves. However, except in the case of immediate physical harm, they are usually simply reminders to be aware of your situation. If you dwell too much on these types of emotions, you cloud your vision and increase the opportunities for ignorance to influence your decisions, which leads directly to the manifestation of the things we feared from the start.

-Peace

]]> By: Kinesha McDaniel http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil#comment-2686 Kinesha McDaniel Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:18:58 +0000 http://www.abytheliberal.com/2007/04/12/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil/#comment-2686 Well, there are two sides of this post. One is that the Swastika has become a symbol of evil. Mainly because of the Holocaust. Hitler stole the sign from the Chinese and used it to his own advantage to gain a following and near elimate the Jewish people. Two, the Chinese used it as a symbol of peace and prosperity. They painted it on their temples to create a sort of xen (zen) effect. So, i believe that there is no real answer to this question. The Swastika's views have been tossed back and forth by Westerns and Chinese Americans. As a result, both views exist and both can be correct. Well, there are two sides of this post.

One is that the Swastika has become a symbol of evil. Mainly because of the Holocaust. Hitler stole the sign from the Chinese and used it to his own advantage to gain a following and near elimate the Jewish people.
Two, the Chinese used it as a symbol of peace and prosperity. They painted it on their temples to create a sort of xen (zen) effect.

So, i believe that there is no real answer to this question. The Swastika’s views have been tossed back and forth by Westerns and Chinese Americans. As a result, both views exist and both can be correct.

]]> By: Imladris http://www.abytheliberal.com/historical-misconcepts/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil#comment-308 Imladris Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:43:27 +0000 http://www.abytheliberal.com/2007/04/12/is-swastika-a-symbol-of-evil/#comment-308 It is not a symbol of evil but the westerns want to associate it with Nazism in an excuse to spread Christian ideals against Buddhists and Hindus who they call 'idolaters'. Trying to make a sacred symbol by using Nazism is so moronic that a 10 year old kid can see through, if he were not brainwashed like the bigots. It is not a symbol of evil but the westerns want to associate it with Nazism in an excuse to spread Christian ideals against Buddhists and Hindus who they call ‘idolaters’. Trying to make a sacred symbol by using Nazism is so moronic that a 10 year old kid can see through, if he were not brainwashed like the bigots.

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