Our Christian brethren are right in denying the charge of fraudulent conversion, but wrong in denying that conversions have not happened. By educating people, caring for them by setting up hospitals and through other works of compassion they have created a good impression that the religion they preach is good. Many have entered their fold to embrace their faith and imitate their ways.
These conversions have led to a threat perception among some sections of the majority religion and they naturally are inclined to stop the erosion in their ranks. These men, however, do not represent the majority but form the hardliners almost like the fanatic fringe of the Islamic community.
If Christianity had not already conquered vast sections of the population it is because of the common view that it is a foreign religion, and embracing it would be an anti–national act. Though great men like Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi were influenced by the New Testament teachings of Christ they were equally apprehensive of Christianity taking roots in this land. Their patriotic feelings for their own, prompted them to disregard the progressive and revolutionary impact of that faith in many societies including India. Today’s Christian leaders have their own imperfections; despite this, people are drawn to Christ.
While old time missionaries were idealistic men given to the spirit of sacrifice, love and compassion, it is the Gospel ideas that had made Christianity irresistible to some sections of the population. It is the Gospel teachings on justice, righteousness and equality in the subjugated societies that strengthened the urge for freedom in such societies against foreign rule. What is more Christian religion has influenced other religions to a great extent, lending them a more humane face.
Slowly and subtly, those opposed to the Christian faith because of their patriotism, have somewhat succeeded in painting a picture of the missionaries having only come to effect conversions. And they oppose activities that greatly benefit the poor and the suppressed in the tribal and remote regions on the ground that the motive of these activities is conversion. Thereby they are cutting off aid to the poor and the needy, while having been in a state of neglect all along.
Though animosity towards Christianity as a foreign religion is even of pre–independence origin, the vocal protest against conversion activities is of recent origin. It is this charge on the basis of which politicians were able to manipulate and mobilize public opinion for passage of legislation generally known as Freedom of Religion Act. The agenda behind the legislation is clear: Christians should not be given unfettered freedom to propagate their religion. The legislation is clearly a violation of human rights.
Editorial
Conversion through fraud: Is it true?
By: MPK Kutty
Wednesday, 17 September 2008, 21:44 (IST)
Copyright © 2008 Christian Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior permission.
Have your say on this article
Added: Thursday, 1 January 1970, 6:03 (IST)
Mr kutty, this article is a very thoughtful one :) I hope the suffering Christians in India, will be really encouraged and blessed amid the suffering
biju, delhi
Added: Thursday, 1 January 1970, 6:03 (IST)
Are you denying crusades, Goan Inquisitions , genocide in americas by none but the chuch itself. Who are you kidding. Only you are living in darkness by denying these facts. Talk about Dalit christians and their separate churches.
Pranit, India
Added: Thursday, 1 January 1970, 6:03 (IST)
Your article is correct but incomplete. It has taken a prejudice view of Hindu religion in this country. Could you please check with the Christian country's and their track record against other religions before you start harping on the progressive nation. Islam is out of question...Name a country that has a Muslim majority but allows other religion to prosper. Same ..could you allow a temple in Vatican city. Further..why the hell everyones fighting for religion. Do you know whether you were a christian in last birth? or you have been given a visa to be born as Christian in next. If everyone's born with the same religion again and again..if a christian soul will remain Chrisitian forever ...then...conversion would not work because Non-christian will be born Non-chrisitian what ever you do. Souls don't change religions or do they? And if sould change religions...then in next birth these evangelist would be fighting to convert Christians into Islam... Sounds..funny...but religious leader will not initiate this thought process. Bcoz in this era..religion is Multi-billion dollar business. Regards An Indian.
Rahul, India
Added: Thursday, 1 January 1970, 6:03 (IST)
I would like to submit the fact that - the christian religion is one of self aggrandizement and like all bullies cry foul ! when they meet with resistance.Religion is for dogs , it is the lowest step in human evolution- spirituality is what goes on to make a country and a symbol of oppression that becomes the symbol of spirituality and religion (as the cross ) engenders violence in practice. To quote " Everyone born is a Hindu " according to our beliefs.Foisting a religion or dogma is no answer to the problems of the world.
Hari Menon, Kochi,India
Added: Thursday, 1 January 1970, 6:03 (IST)
In response to Rahul's comments............we Christians do belive that there is only one life on earth and that is the one we are living now......there is nothing like past or next life.....but what we certainly do believe is that there is life after death through Jesus Christ.......that life after death is the eternal one......therefore, one who embraces christianity and follows it according to the teachings of Christ would always be a Christian in this life and even in the eternal life after death....the souls, souls chaging religions, past life and all that kind of stuff that you are speaking is not rellevant at all and makes no sense....Please do remeber that the Holy Spirit, which is achieved through Baptism has the power to change things....in other words the Holy Spirit has the power to change the heart/life of the person who lived/practised a hindu/islamic life and then decided to follow the teachings of Christ. The true evagelists, that you are talking about, who are currently carrying out the great commission of Christ would already be in heaven with God after their death where only God, His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will be praised and glorified. Then there will, definetly, not be any question of these evagelists following or fighting to convert people to other religions because if they are in heaven its already proven that salvation could only be achieved through Jesus Christ. The proof of all the above-mentioned could be found in one single place.....Ok let me make your life bit easy and, so, let me give you the name of that single place: its the HOLY BIBLE. Now that you know where to look for the answers to your life-saving questions go and read the BIBLE. God bless you and all those people who are in need of God;s love through Jesus. I am Lalith - A Christian from God-created nation India.
Lalith, Birmingham, UK
Added: Thursday, 1 January 1970, 6:03 (IST)
Living in Australia, I get to see Jahovites almost every second month at my door asking me if I would be interested in literature like "Truth ----" etc. We end up having a healthy debate about this. It ususally ends up in an agreement that One only truth is called by many names and it won't make sense to say, "what my religion tells is the only and only truth". I have read bible few times and koran few times to make sense out of them. Having read Bhagavadgita few times, I find these other two very shallow and won't provide any real tool to some one who wants to seek "Truth' ! Again, how many are interested in truly asking questions like, who am "I"? Tragedy in India seems to be: Grand parents or let us say forefathers of Mr Kutty convoverted to Islam or Christianity out of hatred to other communities or under duress or being coerced for a better house or some material uplift in life. And as Vivekananda rightly said, a Hindu converted to becom a Christian or Muslim is not just a loss to the community but an enemy born. Both Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi called coversion as an act conducted by Pervert Mind! They held similar view on untouchability and some of the distasteful practices carried out by (so called)upper caste Hindus to look down persons based on born caste!
Shreepad, Perth Australia
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