Dear Shiva,
I know I don't talk to you all that often, because it's not my style, but I have a problem that you may be able to help me out with. I've been on this reality TV series in the UK, and the winner kind of took a fancy to me, and invited me to the US. No problem so far,
But while we were there, he and the camera team from the television station, Channel 4, insisted I went with him to a high Christian church.
I haven't been to one of these before, and there was a guy who kept talking about sinning and redemption, and when I looked round the place, I was the only person there of Indian extraction. Not that I want to make a point of it.
Although I know that those from Goa follow some form of Christian religion, I don't, and never have done, and I didn't feel comfortable in there, although it was interesting in a way.
So, what I'm asking is this - why did I have to do this? It wasn't my choice, and it isn't my religion, and without putting too political a point on this, is it racist for them to ask me to go along with this fiasco? I have invited friends of mine to Hindu weddings, but there isn't the same kind of conversion mechanism working there.
I am what I am, and am happy with it., and all my mates in Southall are happy with what I am and wouldn't want to mess with my spiritual side, which is a part of my cultural heritage and my belief.
I'm an easy-going guy, and up for anything, but I do have a belief system which is as valid as that endorsed by other British people. Could they, and my friend, and the television, perhaps, have been a little more respectful of my views?

Your mate,

Gos

I'm pretty sure Gos is a Sikh. That's what his name suggests and he's like a lot of Sikhs I know.

I live in Southall, by the way, not that I'm necessarily an expert and if he did say he was Hindu at any point then fair enough.

He is Sikh - you can tell by the name.

I never saw the programme but Im not sure what he is bothered about. The Jehovahs come round the door like sales reps and The hari-krishna type folk never leave me alone in the city centre. Was he worried he would be brainwashed or summat ?

personally I would find the whole thing amusing and dreary at the same time.

The thing is every blasted christian is programmed into trying to convert all their friends into the cult.

I knew you'd get what I was trying to say, Edna! I think it was patronising and tasteless for Gos to be taken into an evangelical Christian church. If he needed someone to hold his hand, Cameron could have taken his Christian friends - this would have been more appropriate.

I'm not sure Gos is due any sympathy - he could simply not have gone to the church. One doesn't get the impression he is a particularly reflective person, to put it mildly. Did he show a hint of discomfort?

I think the entire programme was patronising and tasteless, actually, but Gos is an adult, he was not "taken into" any place other than on his own two legs. Surely he could have refused to visit the church if he had felt it was inappropriate? If he had been given no choice but to participate in Christian rites - eg as part of a task inside the house itself - I would entirely agree with your point.

Gos is a weak person. Brainwashers and cults always target the weak

look out for the Cameronite nuns. They will brainwash the weak and foolhardy

It would be interesting to know if Cameron talked to Gos about religion at all before they went to the church. Is Cameron is so blinkered about his own faith that he perhaps wouldn't think to ask Gos's view, or consider how appropriate it might be for Gos to take part in a Christian service?

(But as for Gos going on his own two legs - let's not forget they went in a stretch limo).

LOL

And their banner will feature a chastity belt ?

The Orkney Organ

As temperatures in the UK soar into the noughties, simple Orkney fisherman, Stameron Cout, has come up with a solution to the rising tide of sexual proclivity fuelled by an excess of Vitamin D, perspiratory pheromones and pelmet skirts - the cryogenic salmon thong insert, suitable for all slappers and for men with gay tendencies.
This is simply a dead frozen salmon, which can be fed into our specially adapted double-gusset carrier-pouch - the CominTaeGit Ye(TM)
Wearers will find this almost inconspicuous, and, and Stameron says "This is magic! I didnae even know I was an attractive man! Women were running away from me like I'd put my finger over their windpipe'
The secret is that, at a temperature above 97.5F - easy to reach when your pants are sweaty - the fish comes alive and takes bites at whatever comes.
Spokesperson of the Tickle Institute for Advanced Questioning , Mr Jon, said, 'Why?' and refused to comment further, although his Press Officer Mr F Marcone did say that the project smelt fishy.
Evangelists, internationally, have welcomed the invention, nominating it for their 'Fishers of Men' annual award.
But shy Stameron, confused as ever over which profile to expose to the waiting Press, and settling eventually for his dimple and teeth said, "Being bitten by a dead salmon drove me on the road to redemption. This is just a cryogenic example of the rules which keep me alive.'
The Orkney Organ has nothing to add to that all-encompassing statement.

Agreed. Like Ray, Gos is not exactly overburdened with brains.