Orissa Clash and Christian Missionaries, by Nithin Sridhar
The recent Hindu-Christian clashes in Orissa during Christmas where many churches were burnt again shed light on the complexity of religious conditions in India. As usual Hindus and Hindu organizations are being blamed. But, before getting into these blame games, it’s important to state the facts.
Orissa has been a favorite destination of Christian Missionaries for proselytization. The illegal conversions are being carried out by missionaries in tribal areas. In Kandhamal District alone the Christian population has increased from 6% in 1970 to 27% in 2001, despite an Act enacted by the Orissa Legislature in 1967 to prevent conversion by allurement, coercion, bribery and cheating.1 On the eve of Christmas, the community had organized for a massive ‘conversion’ camp in a predominantly Hindu tribal area.2 When the Hindu tribals under the leadership of Swmi Lakshmanananda protested against this, he was attacked. Everything started from this unprovoked attack by Christian goons on Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati who was visiting his disciples in Darsingbadi village in Kandhmal District on 24th December.
The issue again highlights the ugly face of religious fundamentalism, in this case Christian fundamentalism. It raises the questions about the motive and inspiration behind the ‘proselytization.’
The missionary works are not new. According to the documents of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, the Biblical authority for missions begins quite early in Genesis 12:1-3, in which Abraham is blessed so that through him and his descendants, all the “peoples” of the world would be blessed. Others point to God’s wish, often expressed in the Bible, that all peoples of the earth would worship Him. Therefore, Christian missions go where worship is not, in order to bring worship to God.3 In the 16th century the proselyization of Asia was linked to the Portuguese colonial policy. As soon as Christianity came into power, heathen temples were defaced and closed and their revenues transferred to the Church. “We command that all their (heathens’) fanes, temples, shrines, if even now any remain entire shall be destroyed by the command of the magistrates” was the order of the day. (Theodosius Code, 380 A.D.). In Great Britain and Germany, priests and monks moved about destroying the groves and shrines of the people. The last regions to lose their religions in Europe were Prussia and the Baltic states.
Varying attempts to stamp out infidels and heretics often proved to be inadequate, so the Holy Inquisition was formed by Pope Gregory IX in 1231 to make the efforts more organized and efficient. Burning was quickly decided upon as the official punishment. In 1245, the Pope gave Inquisitors the right to absolve their assistants of any acts of violence which they might commit in the fulfillment of their duties. Torture of suspects was authorized by Pope Innocent IV in 1252. The Inquisition was not limited to Europe, as Spaniards brought it to the Americas and used it to punish the native inhabitants. Through the 1500s, 879 heresy trials were recorded in Mexico alone.4 The historian Hernando del Pulgar estimated that the Spanish Inquisition had burned at the stake 2,000 people and reconciled another 15,000 by 1490 just one decade after the Inquisition began. (Cited in Kamen op. cit., p. 62.) Juan de Zumarrage, first Bishop of Mexico, writing in 1531, claimed that he personally destroyed over 500 temples and 20,000 idols of the heathens.5 The Goa inquisition which lasted from 1560 to 1812 is considered as the most violent inquisition ever executed by the Portuguese Catholic Church. Inquisition proceedings were always conducted behind closed shutters and closed doors. Hindus were brutally interrogated, flogged, and slowly dismembered in front of their relatives. Eyelids were sliced off and extremities were amputated carefully.6 Viceroy D Constantine de Braganca issued an order on April 2, 1560, instructing that Brahmins should be thrown out of Goa and other areas under Portuguese control.7 At the end of 1567, 300 Hindu temples were destroyed.8
These incidences are not just something to be read in pages of history, but it is very much happening even today. Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati says “There was no problem when Christians were not here in Paikia. With their numbers increasing, they forcefully took away Hindu girls and forced the neo-converts to eat beef. They set several temples on fire. Be it Birupakhya Mahadev´s temple or temple at Malarimaha or my Ashram at Rupagoan, the Christians conspired to set them on fire. They threw mortal remains of cows on mandirs. Kondh tribal´s Goddess Dharani Mata´s places of worship in several villages were dishonored. The sacred sword at a temple at Bramhanigaon was forcibly taken away by the converts who melted the sword in public and prepared their weapons with that looted material.”9
In the Lausanne report ‘Christian Witness to Hindus’, they state in details the methods to be adopted to convert different sections of Hindus. They discuss about Rural Evangelism, Urban Evangelism and Student Evangelism. They explain how ‘Miraculous Healing’ helps to convert people. They give strategies to be employed to use mass media, social gatherings, and seminars to their advantage.10
The Niyogi Report provided details of how much had been contributed by which Western country to the total of Rs. 29.27 crores received by Christian missions in India from January 1950 to June 1954. It notes that USA, UK, Canada and France contributed around 21 crores, 5 crores, 2 crores and 8 lakhs respectively. The Report revealed that the bulk of this foreign money received ostensibly for maintaining educational and medical institutions was spent on proselytization. It has been contended, said the Report, that most of the amount is utilized for creating a class of professional proselytizers, both foreign as well as Indian. There were 480 foreign missionaries working in Madhya Pradesh at that time. Out of them as many as 236 were Americans. The Report gave concrete instances of how mission schools were used to influence the minds of young people. Harijan and Adivasi students came in for special attention. They were given free boarding, lodging and books provided they attended Christian prayers. Bible classes were made compulsory by treating as absent for the whole day those students who failed to be present in those classes. School celebrations were used for showing the victory of the cross over all other symbols. Hospitals were used for putting pressure on poor class patients to embrace Christianity. The richest harvest, however, was reaped in mission orphanages which collected orphans during famines and other natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes. ‘No wonder,’ observed the Report, ‘that the largest number of converts is from such backward classes living in areas where due to various causes only Mission schools and hospitals exist. Most conversions have been doubtless insincere admittedly brought about in expectation of social service benefits and other material considerations.’11
Christianity has been following a policy of ‘Inculturation.’ This means that it adopted Pagan elements in Christianized form in order to ease the transition from Paganism to Christianity. Pagan gods became Christian saints. Pagan Festivals became Christian festivals. In this process of inculturation, the Christian Church adapted old forms to its new message, but made sure that through the Pagan veneer the Christian doctrine was impressed upon the converts.12 “Indigenization,” says Kaj Baago, “is evangelization. It is the planting of the gospel inside another culture, another philosophy, another religion.”13 In Indian case, ‘Inculturation’ or ‘Indigenization’ means ‘the incorporation of Jesus in Indian spiritual tradition’. Fr. Bede says “In India we need a Christian Vedanta and a Christian Yoga that is a system of theology which makes use not only of the terms and concepts but of the whole structure of thought of the Vedanta.”14
Sita Ram Goel divides Hindu-Christian encounter into 5 phases. The first phase began with arrival of Portuguese and Saint Francis Xavier, where they used all crude and violent methods of proselytization. This ended with end of Portuguese rule. The second phase began establishment of British rule, where the language and methods of missionaries was as crude as before but they were not allowed to use physical methods. This ended with rise of Hindu reformation movements of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, and Swami Vivekananda. The third phase starts with the advent of Mahatma Gandhi and his slogan of sarva-dharma-samabhAva which forced Christian missions to change and soften their language. This phase ended with the Tambram Conference of the International Missionary Council (IMC) in 1938, which decided to reformulate Christian theology in the Indian context. The fourth phase which commenced with the coming of independence where the Christian right to convert Hindus was incorporated in the Constitution. The missionary apparatus multiplied fast and became pervasive. Christianity had never had it so good in the whole of its history in India. The only rift in the lute was the ‘Niyogi Committee Report on Christian Missionary Activities’ published by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1956, and Om Prakash Tyagi’s Bill on ‘Freedom of Religion’ introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 1978. The fifth phase which is currently running started with Hindu awakening that resulted in Ram Janmabhumi movement.15
Over these long periods of Hindu-Christian encounter, only the language and methods of ‘followers of Jesus’ has changed, but the motive has always remained same. Lausanne report in its introduction says, ‘We give thanks to God Almighty for his gracious act of salvation in Jesus Christ, which has made possible the entrance into the Kingdom of God for over 565 million Hindu people dispersed throughout the world, with the majority in the Indian sub-continent. We rejoice in the fact that the saving Word of God preached faithfully by God’s servants has brought about a Christian population of about 19 million people in India alone. However, we are conscious that God longs for the whole Hindu people to know Jesus Christ and live under his Lordship.’16 These words clearly speak out that the sole goal of the missions have been Christianization of whole world including India and in this process destroy the cultures of the world.
This desire to Christianize the whole world is due to the fact that the doctrines of Christianity are intolerant of others faiths. The Biblical God is Jealous and Violent. It is assumed that Jesus means ‘Peace’ and the message of Christianity is peace and equality. But Bible says:
‘Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword.”(Matthew, 10/34)
‘God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies’. (Nahum, 1/2)
The Biblical God is intolerant, ask its followers to torture Non-Believers, to break the idols and images.
And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months; and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
(Revelation, 9/5)
But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. (Deuteronomy, 7/5)
If a man abides not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.(John, 15/6)
It is this intolerance, which inspired the ‘Followers of Jesus’ to commit great crimes. The source of proselytization by force and fraud lies in Christian doctrines which have heavily been criticized by Nietzsche, Thomas Paine, Voltaire, and Bertrand Russell. But, still it is common in secular brigade to say “All Religions are Equal.” How can we equate a religion which is so intolerant, whose God is jealous and tyrant and exclusive with a religion like Hinduism which is tolerant, inclusive and spreads peace? The best solution to counter the Christian threat is to counter the Christian Dogma which is the source of proselytization.
“Auspiciousness be unto all; peace be unto all;
Fullness be unto all; prosperity be unto all.
May all be happy! May all be free from disabilities!
May all look to the good of others!
May none suffer from sorrow” (Shanti Mantra)
References:
1 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2008/1/3.shtml#2
http://www.sanghparivar.org/facts-on-clashes-among-christian-missionaries-and-the-tribals-in-kandhamal-district-of-orissa
2 http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HkPage.aspx?PAGEID=5243&SKIN=C
http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=217&page=14
3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_(Christian)
4 http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/christian/blfaq_viol_inquisition.htm
5 http://www.voiceofdharma.org/books/ca/app5.htm
6 http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?type=ARTICLES&id=1111142225
7 http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/mar/16gupta.htm
8 http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?type=ARTICLES&id=1111142225
9 http://www.blogs.ivarta.com/india-usa-blog-column59.htm
10 http://www.lausanne.org/pattaya-1980/lop-14.html
11 Niyogi Committee Report On Christian Missionary Activities published by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1956
12 Salvation: Hindu influence on Christianity by Dr. Koenraad Elst.
13 Kaj Baago, Pioneers of Indigenous Christianity, Madras, 1969, p. 85
14 Bede Griffiths, op. cit., p. 24.
15 http://www.voiceofdharma.org/books/ncr/2one.htm
16 http://www.lausanne.org/pattaya-1980/lop-14.html#Int
The author of this article, Nithin Sridhar, is studying civil engineering in Mysore, India. You can contact him at nkgrock@yahoo.co.in.
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March 1st, 2008 06:35
THERE SHOULD BE A PROCEEDURE TO CONVERT NON-HINDUS INTO HINDUS.ANY HINDU WHO WAS MISGUIDED AND CONVERTED MUST BE ADVISED ON THE GREATNESS OF HINDUISM AND RECONVERTED TO THE ORIGINAL FAITH OF HINDUISM.SUBVERSION FOLLOWS CONVERSION.CONGRESS LEADERS HAVE UNASAHAMEDLY PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE IN HELPING THE CHRISTIANS TO CONVERT HINDUS.THIS IS MORE SO UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THEIR ITALIAN BORN LEADER.HINDU SEVA KENDRAS(SIMILAR TO THE ONES RUN BY SWAMI DAYANANDAJI) ALL OVER INDIA WILL ACHIEVE THIS.
V.RAVISANKAR
March 1st, 2008 14:18
I am no fan of fundamentalist Christianity that seems to be prevalent in many parts of America.
However, we can demonize Christians all we want instead of addressing the root cause of this but in the end it will only portray us Hindus as angry, reactionary, vengeful, petty and violent savages. By banning “conversion”, it only goes to prove their point that we are afraid our religion is not “strong enough” to retain its members.
The best way to address this problem IMO is by economic and social development. Majority of those who convert are often the downtrodden of the society. We need to re-examine the flaws within our own religion and acknowledge them and fight them. The reason why so many low castes and tribal Hindus convert is because they feel they will be freed from their low existance and Christianity will give them a better backing (socially and financially). Now we can immature and try to quash these poor people. Or we can wise up to these missionary tactics and be pragmatic by offering these people better education, jobs, infrastructure and other necessities. We have to try our hardest to remove caste problems (and no, please don’t deny its existance…it is one of the major reasons for conversions). Only a collective effort by Hindus in the Hindu society will prevent people from abandoning their religion for sake of socio-economic security. Victimizing these poor hapless souls is beyond pathetic and an insult to Hindu Dharma.
March 1st, 2008 15:55
i am those millions, who have been deeply pondering over this issue, but haplessly continued to do nothing because of the hindu apathy for their own
problems. We are hopelessly divided and not even at this age of science and reason are not able to come together. Of late I am seeing light and think that
we can regroup and offer resistance. Earlier also I have participated in mny such calls for action, but nothing has been materialized. Let us organize ourselves, home by home, village, by village, city by city, state by state, throughout the length and breadth of India and overseas wherever Hindus have made home. With increased educational and appreciation of our Dharma, we can do not. Hundreds of saints and savants are also on fray. We need volunteerism. Can we begin this kind of work. Can anyone amongst us take an initiative and begin this sacred work? Let us form groups and get in touch wih each other. contact me if required at Surendraullal@gmail.com to join any such group. We can create some strong groups in Chicago, Illinois.
March 2nd, 2008 00:07
A very good article determining the motives and inspiration behind the proselytization done by Christian Missionaries. Somebody ought to tell the truth about the Bible. Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortuous executions, and the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind. One should expose all these Christ Cons! who desire to Christianize the whole world.
I was born Christian but now I am truly grateful and proud of being Hindu. Conversion to Hinduism was only as difficult as my resistance was to the truth, but never, ever has it been regrettable. I do agree that there SHOULD BE A PROCEEDURE TO CONVERT NON-HINDUS INTO HINDUS. It will bring more people to the truth and also counter the mundane teaching of a Christian God who is jealous and intolerant and who would ask its followers to torture non-Believers or break their idols and images. If Christians keep an open mind when coming to terms with the forced indoctrination of those who wish to keep them ignorant and under their control, truth will reveal itself.
In times when the Christians have openly taken on the task of harvesting us to Christianity and the Muslims with their Jihad who will stop at nothing, the gravity of the situation will have to be realized now or the very survival of Hinduism is t risk. All Hindus should unite together and make the difference and fight as one.
OM SHANTI,
Alphanso.
March 12th, 2008 23:36
Nithin,
I don’t know if you intended this to be a news article, but you pretty much killed any journalistic credibility you might possibly have by citing Wikipedia as one of your sources.
Even worse, why didn’t you go out and interview sources (from all sides of this issue) first-hand for this story? You bring nothing new to the table besides regurgitated one-sided arguments from biased sources. The least you could’ve done is get the OTHER side of the story and maybe open up possibilities of dialogue to resolve this issue.
As a Hindu, I feel embarassed by your pathetic piece and the fact that it’s published in an online magazine for Hindu youth to “learn” from. (shakes head)
March 15th, 2008 15:13
H-Bomb,
I believe this is meant to be an editorial piece about conversion. The Orissa incident is used as a recent example of the results of Christian attempts to Christianize the world. That being said, I don’t find this article at all “pathetic” or biased. The article is a good summary of the motives behind and consequences of conversion.
March 19th, 2008 04:43
The piece is indeed biased because Nithin did not contact (nor probably even ATTEMPT to contact) any Christian sources or opposing views on the matter.
Whether the piece is “pathetic” is up to judgement. However, I think any news/editorial piece that does not address all sides of an issue is indeed a “pathetic” piece of journalism.
March 21st, 2008 14:56
Great article Nithin. Conversion is a very serious threat…it could decimate the beautiful, diverse cultures of the world. Here is an excellent video describing Christian missionary tactics in India. It’s told from the point-of-view of a Scandinavian social worker who spent time in India. (There are 3 parts.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmj-_BB6zWY&feature=related_
March 26th, 2008 11:10
I feel the author is immature in thinking. Whatever he has listened and got through references, he has put into an article. In short he has misquoted the Bible verses. Any reference may not be read without its precontext. He has taken text out of context.
This is time to live in peace with other fellow Indian brothers rather thinking of caste and creed. Try to do all round growth of humanity instead of misleading them,
Your brother
Dr. Subhash
April 1st, 2008 21:48
I condemn any form of missionary or religious propaganda. No one can convince me about Christian missionaries that reigned in Africa and India and Far East in exchange of WEALTH, MONEY, SLAVES, SPICES, MINERALS, AND WHY must Christianity be forced onto others?
Mankind is responsible for many wrecks - one of them is the encouragement of missionary movements.
May 15th, 2008 18:26
It is easier to be critical than to be correct. H.Bomb, should be struck off from the forum altogether as he has always brought negative camouflages and seems cantankerous to me. This forum is not about “you” and “me”. It is about abstracts, issues, and conceptual matters. Dismally upset.
July 20th, 2008 13:44
dear all
i read ur posts.
I want to inform u that the arya samaj is converting non-vedic people even today.
a maulvi was converted to arya samaj on 27thjune 2008 at delhi .
another is in the pipeline .
the doors of the arya samaj r open . whosoever wants to stop conversion from hinduism or promote conversion to veda-ism should contact the arya samaj and volunteer help.
further many christians are hare rama hare krishna members now .
don’t worry , be happy .
to the vedas belongs the future
http://www.answering-christianity.com/age3.htm
http://www.answering-christianity.com/fathers_rape.htm
August 22nd, 2008 17:38
I wants to know more about thi matters
August 26th, 2008 15:21
Fundamental Hindutva is very bad for the country and these groups should be banned. All religions should coexist peacefully. and every person has a right to practice any religion.
Hinduism is too domineering in some cases as in orissa today.
Maost are responsible clearly
August 26th, 2008 15:36
This Guy-Our Brother has uoted it right!!!!!Dr. Subhash.
I feel the author is immature in thinking. Whatever he has listened and got through references, he has put into an article. In short he has misquoted the Bible verses. Any reference may not be read without its precontext. He has taken text out of context.
This is time to live in peace with other fellow Indian brothers rather thinking of caste and creed. Try to do all round growth of humanity instead of misleading them,
Your brother
Dr. Subhash
The Author has some VERY SERIOUS PRECONCEPTIONS
Alost ALKL Biblical Verses are
MISQUOTED.
This is outrageous!!
how would yoou feel if someone uoted The Gita wrongly for his own gain????????????
Jim
August 27th, 2008 04:28
I am by birth a Hindu. I read and learn all the holy books, Ramayana, Mahabharata, The Bible, Quoran etc.
I find that the people in India are fond of worshipping characters of Novels and even film heroes. Even they make idols of film actresses and worship. Many Maharajas, animals etc are also worshipped. Consequently, people lost their balances and turn out to be anything. Worship is what — is not known. Result– casteism, untouchability, cruelity… etc.etc. Is this the teaching of a Religion. Where we are led to and what such so called religions have to say ? How many extremists are born day by day in India. Where will we reach after sometime. Give a thought to this.
If anyone can live happily and peacefully on earth— these are all not required. No religion, no caste, no conflicts — no killings etc.
Mind and soul of anyone cannot be purchased. If anyone want to follow any rituals.. what is wrong. So long he is a free man / women, let him be happy and peaceful.
Why should one professionalise a group or religion? What we eat, what we belive and what we practice……….. all are upto us. Slavery is not advisable. LET EVERYONE LIVE WITH THEIR PEACE AND HAPPINESS.
August 27th, 2008 04:40
You rightly pointed out the truth. But enlighten me on following:
Forceful conversion - is it really happening? NO is the correct answer.
If you check up the conversion list of developed countries like UK, Germany, USA how many people are getting converted to Hinduism from Christianity. Why are you silent on such cases. If you speak against conversion, it should happen globally. In India Hindus convert to other religion — it is because of the evils in Hindu religion. Make one religion clean — for example Hindu Religion– and see see how it grows!! Else one day it will happen that NOONE WILL BE THERE ON EARTH BELIEVING IN ANY RELIGION. Let the bureaucrats fight each other on Religion, get lost –and go to BLOODY HELL.
August 28th, 2008 05:26
Whats the religion stands for…………India above 100 core population
who made caste system, I respect hindhu religion but think who are upper and who are lower castes. Why people wants to convert in to other religion.what are the root causes….is it forcible…….Ultimately 90 % is NO. What made them to accept other religion
Do you know that up to 1980’s lower castes are not allowed in temples…then what is the religion stands for.
Statistics says poor and lower castes, who do not have any respect in their religion.
What religion has to say ” war of power” or “war of peace and love”
War of peace & love stands for sacrification…….do good for others
Religion is the HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
August 29th, 2008 12:53
i would like to suggest u to convey all this to everyone out their as its necessary for them to know…n well it would be good if you have an interview with any news channel to contribute a bit to the society to help them out….
September 6th, 2008 22:49
.ANY HINDU WHO WAS MISGUIDED AND CONVERTED MUST BE ADVISED ON THE GREATNESS OF HINDUISM AND RECONVERTED TO THE ORIGINAL FAITH OF HINDUISM.
Or else what?
If they don’t reconvert, what do you propose?
This article seems to suggest that the Christians “Got what is coming to them”… The victims are to blame? They are now getting what they deserve?
September 8th, 2008 07:46
Dear Friends,
I read Nitin’s article and found out quiet interesting, I feel that he has hurriedly spelt out his views about the religious rage in Orissa, and targeted christians community. This may not be true, unless and until one has thoroughly studied the situation their and come to concrete conclusion and suggestion to bring peace in Orissa. Sitting in Mysore, Karnataka and collecting information from the website, questions the validity of the information.
I appreciate Nithin Sridhar for taking time to write his views in this regard for ‘Tattav’ along with his busy schedule of Civil Engineering studies.
At this point of time I see that we as a citizen of India, are sitting in a glass house and throwing stones against each other. This will only give more room for anti-social element upper hand to exploit. Religion has only become a burden on each one of us with abstract expectation. We need to understand our existance, and as human beings we need to care for one another. The colour of the blood is same except the skin.
Let’s discover the ‘God’ in us and live peacefully. Only one life we have, Let live with fullness of Joy and peace.
Above all,
God bless every Indian Citizen.
Solomon R. John
September 20th, 2008 11:21
hello,
Nitin’s article at certain point seems very senseless. The meaning of JESUS isn’t peace. Nitin has written everything on presumption basis and with any good assurance.
Bible is not a book by any philosopher that he can quote and explain with the head knowledge… Its a spiritual book. The references what he has quoted all over doesn’t convey the same meaning he has put forth.
As Alphanso says, Bible is not a Word of God… Just for his knowledge that this Bible is printed and sold in the largest numbers, compared to any other book in the whole world from centuries.
To think that the Christian people in Orissa are getting back what they have done… Christ has not done anything bad to this world but the world has done bad by crucifying Him.. so does it happen to His followers.
People there who have been a victim are those who have been caring for the orphans and the poor of the society,they touch the untouchables and educate them. what harm have they done? No one can force anyone to be a Christian. Where the honey is there the bees are.. Where there is good the people would definitely run to it.
As we see in Alphanso’s case.. who has forced him to be a Hindu? It is his own choice. What has Hinduism offered him? There are so many Christians like him who convert to Hinduism and Islam… but Christians don’t question and blame anyone. Then why Christians have to be blamed for forceful conversions?
Everyone has their own right to practice their own beliefs! Christ has taught to serve and that’s what the people out there are doing.
Humanity is much more then any religion we practice. If you all think that whatever is happening is humanity then we can all voice for it.
September 29th, 2008 20:37
Why do you think things have always to go that way?
October 3rd, 2008 17:51
Combatting intolerance with intolerance seems to be your solution. I am heartily sorry for what my Christian brothers of the past have done, the atrocities they have committed; but the atrocities that have been committed in the past do not show the true teaching of Christ, just as the atrocities that have been committed in the name of Allah do not show the true nature of Islam. But the current situation in Orissa is a situation where both Christians and Hindus can peacefully work together. The solution is not a continuation of VHP and Hindu-nationalist violence, and nor is it the illegal conversion techniques used by Christians. Both sides may be to blame for the origins of this conflict, but it is completely up to the Hindu nationalists to stop the torture, rape, and destruction.
And as for your critique of Christianity, I have to side with many Christians on here and agree that Biblical verses have been intentionally lifted out of context. Christian spirituality is truly a spirituality of peace, a spirituality of universal love for all people.
I pray for peace all across India, and I pray the veil of hatred will be lifted from our eyes, that we may grow in love and understanding.
October 5th, 2008 08:03
Aphanso D’Souza: it is very sad that you have not read the other half of the Bible and instead choose to take things out of context. Have you not come across the Gospels, in which Christ ehorts us to love our enemies-which is a proactive command!.Does any other religion ehort you to do so? You may hate the Christians but don’t hate Christ and the Bible!
October 6th, 2008 15:53
How i may contact admin this site? I have a question.
iijiivei
October 7th, 2008 17:36
Dear brother Alphonso D’Souza,
Before condemning the Bible and Christianity, I would advise you to read your Hindu vedas upanhishads better…. And do you actually know the meaning of ”Linga” and what does it symbolise? What would you talk about Kamasutra which is mentioned in one of your vedas and the most of the sculptures which are sculpted literally on the Hindu temples in Hampi and Hallebidu (Karnataka) which are literally obscene and voluptuous debaucheries.
I would suggest you not to speak about the Bible until and unless you completely know about it.
Tonight I am praying for you and may the Lord open your eyes to know the truth.
October 7th, 2008 19:18
In my openion, the rootcause of all these clashes is the motive of the christian groups to christianise the entire world, it can be seen every where in the world. I too was approached twice with such luring offer of conversion onse in india and onse in US.
First of all, there is so many controversies regarding JESUS itself, some people says that he was a make shift god or messanger or anything.
Some of the people here are saying that to escape from caste system people are converting to christianity, but it’s a false thinking. these converted dnt find any diff after conversion too, as there is rift between upper caste converted people and lower caste and its continuing, it is such hign that,in some places, both have separate churches too.
The casteism cant be completely blamed on hinduism, it is attributed to culture. This can be change only with educating the people, the christian missionaries are taking advantage of this casteism and disturbing peoples minds through conversions, but finally there wont be any change in their lives.
October 8th, 2008 18:57
Dear Beloved Nithin,
christianity is for sharing love, we just tell people around how loving and living God Jesus is, we never force any one to become christian.
But any religion should never tell people to kill others to secure it’s existance. No religion will tell to burn houses, throw people into fire..etc.
If christian are converting into hindu/muslim we won’t burn hindu’s/muslim’s houses, we just keep quite and pray for them.
October 13th, 2008 18:05
I would love to send resources to help people on Khandewal to improve education self esteem heealth. Nitin could you e-mail me or leave a message where there is a collection drive. Also could you write about the welfare of the Swamiji and his family who where killed.
October 28th, 2008 03:52
i wouls suggest ALPHONSO t write the bible over and over again so that he will know that the bible is the word of One God, the true God, the Lords fo The Universe. . I for myself have discovered this guy, he is hindu and not christian. What is more laughable, he was christian and devout hindu, Alpholso. you are not dealing with children. go and tell this to the million of illiterate hindus, but not to us, Go anywhere and everywhere in this world you wull see ppl are converting to Christianity, they are coming to JESUS, NOT TO FALSE GOD.