i get where you're coming from, those things sometimes bother me but never in fanfic in the HP verse. i think i attribute that partly to the insular world that JKR has created (and how, to me atleast, is the big part of the appeal) and also my personal dislike of reading about religion under most contexts. now i can't relate to the boondocks example 'cos don't even know what it is :)

having said that, i'll still say it wouldn't cause me to raise eyebrows over patil eating beef. it's just really too vast a country. muslims in india eat beef. christians do too. so do agnostic, atheist and certain progressive minded hindus. sometimes i worry that authors simply rehash stereotypes when they attempt to do justice.

but i do see your point about wanting to see that raised. i simply fall into the category of folks who don't want always want to see it raised.

this is all related to the jackass isn't it? :D