How should I react to those who write answers demeaning Lord Shiva and his family?

Question

First of all, I don't hate any God, whoever it is Vishnu or Shiva or Krishna. I respect Vishnu (especially Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati) as much as Shiva, but I like Shiva more when compared to other Gods. I'm neither a Shaivaite nor Vaishnavaite by birth rather my family worships a Grama Devata which comes under Shaktism.

I often get offended when some users demean Lord Shiva and his family. I know Hinduism has many schools and Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism are different sects who believe their respective Gods as Supreme. There's no wrong in believing your favorite God as Supreme but some users deliberately censure or demean Shiva and Shiva Purana. They reject entire Shiva Purana citing it as "pool of interpolations". I don't bother whether they believe Shiva Purana or not but they write these kind of statements in their answers. New users are being misled and brainwashed with their statements, which I feel it as unscrupulous.

Additionally, I request everyone to write their respective perspectives before answering these kind of questions. There are many answers on this site which say "Vishnu is Supreme" overtly without citing perspective. Also, a user of this site overtly claims "Lord Vishnu is Supreme" by citing some unreliable blogs. As most of users on this site are Vaishnavaites, these issues don't capture attention of most of the users.

How should I react to these situations or in general, how should people react when someone offends their faith? Again, I request everyone to include perspective or scripture (either Vaishnava or Shiva), which says their respective Gods as Supreme. Also, I request moderator to make a mandatory rule to include perspective or School of thought in their answers.

Answer 1

Anil, I sympathise and support your asking for a rule to label one's answers as derived from a particular school of thought.

It is indeed sad that matters related to Siva are dismissed as interpolations.

As for how to react:-

1. Remind yourself that such statements are false. While it is okay to hold one's favorite deity as supreme, it is incorrect to denounce others and is tantamount to daiva dooshana. Let those indulging in this activity reap the fruits of such negative actions all by themselves.

2. Having said that, sometimes, dharmaagraham and satyaagraham are called for. One must voice one's protest; especially when truth is in danger of being distorted and falsehoods get passed on. Sectarian fundamentalism is not dissimilar to Macaulay and others bad-mouthing ,denigrating and denuding Hinduism in order to weaken Hindus and establish the Englishman's superiority over Indians. The Englishman knew that his own faith and philosophy were inferior in comparison and the only way to establish his superiority was by undermining our faith.

To such sectarian fundamentalists say "That is your opinion alone. You may say Vishnu is supreme because you are a vaishnavite but you do not have the right to say Shiva is inferior. It not only violates scripture but is intellectually dishonest. Why is Vishnu called "sarva, siva, sthANU" and other shiva names in the sahasranama if Shiva is inferior?"

Also scripture says "sivascha hrdayam vishnuh, vishnoscha hrdayam sivah".

You can quote these statements and many others from scripture when countering the arguments you cite in your question.

Essentially people who are incapable of seeing equivalence in Shiva and Vishnu are unfamiliar with scripture.

3. Use the tools provided by the site, viz, flag , close, call for moderator's attention, downvote etc.

It is tragic that Hindus need to be fighting amongst themselves when there are external forces constantly working to eradicate Hindu faith and astitva

Answer 2

Iswarasya prashamsAyAm na sukham nindAyAm vA na dukkham sukha dukha rahitatvAt, kintu nindakasya narakameva ||

.......

The Iswara or God is neither pleased by his praise nor offended by criticism as he is beyond happy-sad like states. But the censurer definitely gets Hells.

Now, the persons who have gone down to the extent of demeaning Gods are surely sinners. So, why would you even want to interact with them (by reacting to their posts unless you are refuting some of their claims)?

Anyone, who is concerned about his own spiritual (and material) good, should not only shun sinful acts but the sinful persons are to be shunned as well.

Because associating with sinners is equally a sin.

THE destroyer of a Brahmanas, one who drinks spirituous liquors, a thief, and the violator of the preceptor's bed, and the one who associates with them, are the great sinners,

Usana Smriti, Chapter 8, Verse 1.

So, IMO, you should shun all kinds of interactions with them and if that is not possible, ignore them (and the posts) as much as possible. Also, please do not get hurt or sad upon seeing such posts because it is not worth it.

You can still moderate by keeping interactions to the minimum. That's something personal and i think you can easily deal with it.

NOTE- The following are the grievances that i have addressed in the answer. Because, i don't really think that you are seeking advice (which are rules or community guidelines related) as a moderator. Because if such posts are violating site policies you very well know how to deal with it being a moderator. Now, if it is not violating rules but still demeaning Gods then my advice would be as suggested above.

1) I often get offended when some users demean Lord Shiva and his family.-How to deal with it?
2) how should people react when someone offends their faith?
3) How should I react to those who write answers demeaning Lord Shiva and his family?