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It all goes back to what my mother always said--that it doesn't matter what you believe as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. This episode of Xena, according to the comments and synopses I've read from those who have seen it, is not hateful or offensive. It may have historical inaccuracies, but it portrays the Hindu gods in a respectful manner. Hindu deities exist in many, many other films and novels, often in a far less benevolent way. If "The Way," which conveys the central philosophies of Hinduism despite its historical inconsistencies, educates an audience about a religion they know nothing of, that strikes me as a good thing. I am sorry if Hindus who seriously took the time to watch the episode were offended by it, but I think that the censorship controversy has done more harm than good.

A television show is all about making money, but storytelling is an artform that can influence people by making them think, by spreading information in an entertaining manner. Frankly, I know that many people probably don't care, that they just watch the show for fun. I also know that when I see a TV show or read a novel that contains information of a religion or culture that I am unfamiliar with, I become curious. I seek more information. I learn about things that I may not have otherwise looked into.

So I thought about writing this letter and sending it to various sources. And then I thought about it some more and decided that it may be more useful to provide a resource for all the good people out there who say that "The Way" made them view Hinduism in a good light, that it made them interested in learning more. And so I am creating this site, which is at your disposal.


the subversive pomegranate
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Xena: Warrior Princess is © MCA/Universal and whoever else legally owns it. This page is © 1999 shilpa.