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Child shares milk with 'holy' temple rats

A child has been sharing milk from a bowl with a group of "holy" rats at an Indian temple.

Hundreds of rats live undisturbed at the Karni Mata Hindu temple in Deshnoke, Rajasthan.

It's known locally as "Rat Temple".

The high priests protect the rats because their bodies are thought to house the souls of dead worshippers.

There are special holes allowing the rats to move around the temple.

It's said if you spot a white rat, you'll have good luck.

Story filed: 15:56 Wednesday 26th June 2002

Why is the ZOT thread directly attached to this article...

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Edited on 01/09/2003 7:30 AM CST
Reason for Edit

Original Article Body
I am a 20 year old gay male. I have been out for a year and a half. During those times I have had my ups and downs. In highschool I was gay bashed, I ran away from home and moved in with someone who I thought I could trust, boy was I wrong, he raped me 3 weeks into my moving in with him.

I currently have a partner, and he is someone I love and care about deeply. When I first came out to my friends and family, the first people to accept was my friends, then my family. It was scary at first, not knowing what they would say or think. But they are your family and they are there for you, they love you, and they should accept you for you not for something you arent.

There may be questions, more then not there will be, so make sure you are perpared to answer questions such as "Are you sure?" "Where did I go wrong?" and comments such as "Your going to go to hell." "You will get aids/hiv." There will most likely be a lot of crying, and hugging. Just answer the questions carefully. And always direct them to sites online that allow your family and parents to know what you are going through.

Also be perpared for being an outcast, society looking down on you, but not everyone does. I have found that more then none my being gay has no effect on people. Of course I lost all of my straight male friends when I told them I was gay. Gay bashings also come with the territory. I remember there were times when I would be thrown against a wall at school, kicked, spit on, tormented, have my book bag torn off of my shoulders, my books dumped out, reports torn up, having signs put on my back. The list goes on, but if you are strong, which I know many of you are, then you can get throw those hard times.

ALWAYS and I cant emphasize this enough, be careful and don't hook up with someone online, it just may lead to your death or being raped like I was. Always use a condom when you decide to become sexually active. And the Mister Right for you is somewhere out there. There will always be pain and heartache during your life once you come out, but there is joy and happiness, and laughter and love, and most of all Support.

Remember that some of us out here in cyber space who are gay are here for you if you have questions or want to talk. Like you have your biological family, so do you have a gay family, they tend to become some of your most trusted friends. If you go out somewhere they usually go with you. NEVER go out at night into unfamiliar area alone if you are gay, and are wearing anything that makes you look gay.

I am done lecturing now. If you have any questions or need help, please dont hesitate to contact me, I will gladly help out in a time of need.