Testimony of an Indian Christian

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The testimony of one Christian 28 Sep 2008, 0213 hrs IST, Julio Ribeiro

I am a Christian, a Roman Catholic to be precise. I have suddenly realised this. It is quite amazing that I did not think of myself as a Christian all these years! I was an Indian. Religion was in the private domain. No one made me feel that I was different and I never felt different. On one occasion in a temple in Punjab even the VHP's Ashok Singhal seemed well disposed! Why did it suddenly occur to me that I was a Christian? I really do not know the answer. I only know that I am sorely disappointed with the BJP for not reining in the VHP and Bajrang Dal, who like the SIMI and its offshoot, the Indian Mujahideen, feel that the best and only way to attain peace is to kill those who they think are different. My ancestors, like those of most Christians in India, were Hindus. True, I have a strange name. It is Portuguese in origin, but neither I nor the numerous other Christians sporting Portuguese surnames like Fernandes (George is a friend of the BJP) have any Portuguese blood. Our ancestors got these surnames when they were baptised and the surnames were those of the different clerics who officiated at their initiation. Was force or coercion used? I dare say it was. If not force, then certainly coercion. Lure of land, I learn, was the main instrument of that coercion. All land was appropriated by the conquerors and only those who converted retained their share. This, I dare say, was a powerful attraction. Even today, ownership of land is a dominant craving. Times were different in 1540 when the Portuguese landed in Goa. There was the Inquisition and the fervour of religious conviction. But I refuse to believe that force can be an option in this day and age. Can anyone be 'forced' to convert as the fanatics suggest? Possibly, there can be inducement. But how far can one go with inducements? Money, land, jobs, education? If money and land were in plenty to distribute, all or most converts would be immensely affluent. But that is hardly the case. Most Christian missionaries concentrate on education, health, social welfare. This may tempt somemarginalised families to cross over, but the answer to that would be to undertake such efforts yourself and not kill those who are doing what you yourself should have done long ago. The empowerment of the marginalised threatens the vested interests of the upper classes. For generations, tribals and scheduled castes have been kept down. Christian missionaries, with their stress on education and health, have challenged the foundations of this social order. That, I believe, is the cause of the present upheaval. The Christian missionaries do believe that their own religion is the only true one. All the three Abrahamanical religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, grounded in the theory of creation, believe that theirs is the only true religion. Judaism is not known to convert. The other two do. In this day and age, it is difficult to support the notion of conversions. I, for one, do not. To my mind it is not necessary to convert anyone. Even the Catholic Church to which I belong has accepted that good human beings, irrespective of religious belief, can attain salvation. But there are those who think otherwise. Should they be butchered? It is not only unlawful to kill. It is also immoral. And if the VHP and Bajrang Dal, like the SIMI and the Indian Mujahideen, do not understand this simple rule, it is the duty of the Indian State to make them aware of it. No excuses should be advanced to mitigate the horrendous nature of their barbarity, as some BJP leaders have done. Because excuses are quickly turned into mandates. Personally, I do not believe that many Hindus have been converted to Christianity in recent times in Karnataka or even in Orissa. In Kerala, the Christians have been around for the past 2,000 years. But if some conversions have taken place, there are legal remedies available. Surely no one can be permitted to take the law into his own hands and become prosecutor, judge and executioner rolled into one. And this is why I am disappointed with the BJP. The party has not come out strongly against the atrocities heaped on the Christians of Orissa and Karnataka. L K Advani himself studied at St Patrick's, a Jesuit school in Karachi. Nobody tried to convert him or other boys and girls who have passed out of Christian schools and colleges in India. He and they continue to be good Hindus, or Muslims or Sikhs. More important, they continue to be good human beings. And that is what true Christianity is all about. That is what I look for in my religion and what I admire in the teachings of Christ. Love, compassion, justice. These are universal values taught by all religions that the VHP and the Bajrang Dal, SIMI and the IM should try and imbibe. If they do not they should stop calling themselves Hindus or Muslims.

Voice of Indian Christian

ARE CHRISTIANS INDEED GUILTY OF FORCED CONVERSIONS IN INDIA?

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Kaka.D.Iralu September 27, 2008 09:11:00

Guilty of coercions and forced conversions- that is the charge Hindu fundamentalist are accusing Christian missionaries and Christians in general in India today. They are trying to justify their religious terrorist activities upon this blatant lie and accusation. But before you burn the next Church or the next Christian, allow us Christians to state our beliefs and convictions regarding conversions.
The Christian religion, far from forcing conversions, begins with a nock at the doors of our hearts. Jesus our savior and Lord said in Revelations 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and nock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door; I will come into his house and eat with him and he with me.”  The God and savior in whom we believe, far from forcing us to believe him stands at our hearts doors and nocks to be invited in. As God of the universe and King of all kings, he has the right and authority to barge into our hearts and forcefully demand that we believe and obey him. But the essence of Christianity and the Christian God is just the opposite of worldly and secular authority. It is divine love that seeks to save and redeem without force. In another figurative presentation of his love, Jesus is portrayed as the Good Shepherd who went seeking for the lost sheep (Mathew18:11-14). Jesus is also portrayed as a loving father who instead of cursing his wayward son waits for his son’s return with a lovesick heart (Luke15:11-32).
Now when our God is such a loving but unimposing God, how on earth can Christians be accused of forcing others to believe in our God? In fact, to force our religion on others is contrary to all that Christianity stands for.
As his disciples and ambassadors, Jesus has sent us to knock on other people’s doors, inviting them to accept the wonderful salvation that Jesus has purchased on the cross of Calvary with His own blood for the redemption of all humanity. We are however never commanded to force others to believe in what we believe. On the contrary, if the Christian message of love and salvation is rejected; this is what Jesus told his disciples to do: “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorra on the Day of Judgment than for that town.”(Matt 10:24-15). In yet another admonition, Jesus said: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still and he that is holy; let him be holy still. And behold, I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his works shall be” (Rev. 22:11-12.)

An open question to the Hindu fundamentalist in India
The fact of the Christian mission is therefore one where we are sent to knock at people’s doors on behalf of Jesus, but we are never commanded to force them to believe. On the contrary, if they refuse our message, we are told to leave them alone in God’s own hands for his own Justice on the final Day of Judgment. 
In line with this injunction and commandment, far from forcing others to become Christians, we have only been doing good works for the upliftment of the oppressed and downtrodden both in India as well as in other parts of the world. This is because we have been commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves whether they accept or reject us. In this mission of love, the Christian missions and community in India have immensely contributed towards the building of the modern India in which we live today. This contribution came mostly through the educational institutes that were set up by the Christian missionaries like William Carey (1761-1834). William Carey was instrumental in abolishing the Sati and child infanticide. He translated the Bible into 26 Indian languages and produced many Indian dialect grammars and dictionaries. He also edited the translation of the Ramayana into English. He was Professor of Sanskrit in the Fort William College which he established in 1800. He was also a founding member of the Serampore College. Space will not allow me to recount the contributions of other Christian missionaries like Rev.David Brown, Rev.Buchman, Joshua Marshman, Alexander Duff and many others. To the honorable memory of these Christian missionaries goes the credit of establishing the first colleges in India, first  schools for female Indians besides establishment of teacher training centers, and ultimately the founding of the first Calcutta, Bombay and Madras universities in 1857. 
 These Christian missionaries were in turn assisted by Christian politicians and Parliamentarians like William Wilberforce (1759-1833). Charles Grant, Lord Macaulay, etc. Together they charted the path for the emancipation of India’s millions from slavery to religious persecutions, economic exploitation and ultimately India’s political freedom. 
In the area of India’s struggle for her political freedom, I do not know of any Christians playing any prominent role. This is because the Christian mission is not one of establishing a political kingdom on earth except to teach the principle of God’s kingdom to be established on earth. (See Matt. 6:10). However it is an undeniable historical fact that the Christian missionaries and the Christian missions in India set the foundation for India’s political freedom. Almost all of India’s freedom fighters right from Raja Ram Mohan Roy to Gandhi and Nehru got their principles of freedom from the educational institutions that were set up by the Christian missions from 1793 to the eve of 1947. In this connection, noted Indian Jurist Mr. Nani Palkhivala had this to say: “Let us not pretend that the rule of law is a concept which can be regarded as a part of the Indian psyche”. Indeed concepts of freedom, liberty and the rule of law that led to India’s political freedom did not originate from the Vedas or the Upanishads. It had its roots in Biblical theology which were introduced into India through the educational institutes that were established by the Christian missions. Even today some of the best schools and colleges catering to the educational needs of the poor and downtrodden of Indian’s millions are run by Christian missions. There are thousands of such Christian schools and colleges throughout the length and breadth of India.
  In the light of all these overwhelming historical facts, I on behalf of all Christians of India want to pose this question to all fundamentalist Hindu citizens of India who are presently instigating violence against Christians in India: 
Is the desecration and burning of churches, the raping of nuns, the murder of missionaries and wardens of orphanages, your way of saying thank you to the Christian community for what it has contributed in making India a great nation today?
 India can only hold together as a nation under the principles of a Secular Democratic Republic where every religion is recognized and respected. To try and establish a Hindu Raj or a Mughal empire in modern India today would be to relegate India back into the 18th and 19th centuries. One hopes that no sane Indian would ever attempt or harbor such an impossible as well as horrible dream.

Kaka.D.Iralu
(A Christian from Nagaland)

News Now

Orissa flood situation worsens

Press Trust Of India / Bhubaneswar September 25, 2008, 12:41 IST

Flood situation in Orissa worsened today after 43 new breaches on embankments in Mahanadi delta region submerged more areas even as the deluge claimed 48 lives so far.     

"Fresh areas were inundated as the number of breaches in Mahanadi system, which stood at 100 till yesterday rose to 143 today," the flood control cell here said.     

As village after village were swept away by gushing waters from the breaches, the plight of the marooned people were multiplied in the absence of proper relief and rescue operation due to inadequate manpower and boats, sources said.     

What added to the agonies of the flood-hit regions was intermittent rains in most of the affected coastal districts including Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur as most of the victims were still on highways and similar open areas.     

Though around 40 lakh people in about 6,000 villages in 18 districts of the state were affected by the devastating floods, the administration had only 1500 odd boats at their disposal for relief and rescue work, sources said.     

Recsus and relief operation with the help of choppers had limited impact as most of the materials were wasted as they fell into water and other wrong places, they said.     

Naval teams and personnel of the central para-military forces continued to assist in the work.     

Over 3.77 lakh people have been evacuated to safer places in flood affected areas so far with the help of air force choppers and boats, they said.

Violence Resumes in Orissa

Hindu-Christian clashes kill 1 in eastern India

9/26/2008, 4:53 a.m. EDT The Associated Press

BHUBNESHWAR, India (AP) — About 50 Christians armed with knives, sticks and stones hacked a Hindu man to death in the eastern Indian state of Orissa in the latest outburst of sectarian violence that has left 27 people dead, police said Friday.

Police officer Kishore Pradhan said the attack in the town of Raikia was one of two that took place Thursday in Kandhamal district.

In the other, about 500 Hindus attacked and burned about 50 Christian homes and two prayer halls in Beherasahi village, Pradhan said. The residents fled their homes and no injuries were reported, he said.

The Truth

Bajrang Dal involved in Karna communal violence: Home Ministry

New Delhi, Sept 25 (PTI) Bajrang Dal elements were allegedly involved in communal violence in Karnataka and the state government must apply stringent laws against those who were involved in it, the Union Home Ministry said here today.
There was a "sense of uneasiness" in Karnataka and Christian community was "visibly upset and unhappy" over the recent communal violence there, Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry M L Kumawat said here.

"Alleged Bajrang Dal elements were involved in vandalising churches, prayer halls and schools," he said after camping in the violence-hit areas of the state for two days.

Kumawat said the two-member Central team, including Joint Secretary (Human Rights) A K Yadav, found that violent protests on September 15 following the desecration of churches in Mangalore made the cops, who were mostly fresh recruits, impatient.

He said irked by stone pelting mob, these young policemen entered the Churches, prayer halls and beaten old, women and young alike which resulted in discontentment.

"The community members told us that the administration was partial and bias and even demanded that Dakhina Kanada (Mangalore) district Superintendent of Police Satish Kumar be transferred," he said.

Kumawat said they found that out of the four posts of Deputy Superintendent of Police in Mangalore, three were lying vacant.

"All the violence-hit areas were known to be sensitive. The administration could have handled the situation in a more matured manner by deploying seasoned policemen," he said.

He said the team would submit its report within a day or two. PTI

News (25 Sep 2008)

Curfew in India's eastern Orissa after Christian houses set on fire

Posted : Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:42:00 GMT Author : DPA Category : India (World) India World News | Home

New Delhi - Authorities in India's eastern state of Orissa imposed a curfew in sensitive areas of Khandamal district Thursday after several houses belonging to Christians and a prayer house was set on fire, news reports said. Curfew was imposed in nine sensitive areas of the district after the acts of arson late on Wednesday and in the early hours of Thursday, IANS and PTI news agencies reported. Rioting mobs clashed with the police when the latter tried to stop them from torching the houses in the Daringibadi, Udaygiri and Tikabali police station areas, officials were quoted as saying. At least 75 houses and a prayer hall was damaged and additional forces have been rushed to these areas to control the situation, district administration officials said. "The situation in the region is tense," Khandamal district collector Krishan Kumar said. The security forces were finding it difficult to operate as the rioters had obstructed roads with logs and boulders, Kumar said. At least 25 people have been killed and scores of churches and houses set on fire in Khandamal district, which lies about 400 kilometres west of Orissa capital Bhubaneshwar, since violent protests against the killing of a Hindu right-wing leader broke out on August 24. Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Laxmananda Saraswati and four others were shot dead by unidentified gunmen at his hermitage in Jalespata in Khandamal district on August 23. Saraswati had been leading a campaign against conversion to Christianity. An estimated 24 million people in India are Christians comprising about 2.3 per cent of the country's 1.1 billion population, a majority of whom are Hindus.

Karnataka & Bangalore Losing Out

Church attacks dent Karnataka’s civilised image

By Indo-Asian News Service on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Filed Under: Business

Karnataka's reputation as a communally harmonious state has taken a severe beating following brazen attacks on churches widely blamed on rightwing Hindu groups.

The widespread revulsion over the vandalism that began Sep 14 in coastal Karnataka is giving way to concern that the violence as well as allegations that Hindus are being converted may be used by fringe groups to create a gulf between Hindus and Christians.

This is the first time in Karnataka that such a largescale assault on churches and prayer halls has taken place, including in cosmopolitan Bangalore.

The vehemence of the Christian protest in the coastal city of Mangalore, which bore the brunt of the vandalism, was also unprecedented.

The attacks have caused severe embarrassment to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) because they happened just three months after it came to power in Karnataka -- and in south India -- for the first time.

With the Bajrang Dal reportedly owning responsibility for some of the attacks, the BJP has been exposed to criticism that Hindu groups linked to it are emboldened because the party is in power.

Industry leaders, writers, expatriates and even the man on the street IANS spoke to in Bangalore are furious that the authorities failed to prevent the attacks.

"Such violence is not acceptable in a civilised society. Differences, disputes and grievances have to be resolved in a peaceful manner and through dialogue, not by taking law into hands," said Infosys Technologies board member T.V. Mohandas Pai.

"It is ridiculous to attack places of worship whatever be the cause or provocation. The incident shows the state's law and enforcement machinery has failed," he added.

Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said from Spain: "It is very shocking that such things are taking place in a cosmopolitan city like Bangalore. The government should have pre-empted them in the wake of similar attacks in other parts of the state.

"Such incidents in a global IT hub like Bangalore bring a bad name, spoil the fair image of its citizens and cause apprehension in the minds of investors - in India and overseas."

According to Jnanpeeth awardee U.R. Ananthamurthy, it appears extremists in BJP are doing this to unseat Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and bring in "a Modi" -- a reference to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is a hero for Hindu groups.

Said theatre personality, playwright and another Jnanpeeth awardee Girish Karnad: "The perpetrators are testing the tolerance of our society. Violence, abuse and taking law into one's hands is not justified, whatever the cause or provocation."

Christians are also shocked that this could happen in Karnataka.

Said Mary Triza of Don Bosco Institute: "As devout Catholics or Protestants, we are never in favour of conversions, especially forcible. If such things are happening, let the law take its course.

"By attacking churches or prayers halls, they will not be able to stop such activities. Such acts will only provoke people and lead to counter-attacks."

Expatriates in the IT hub, estimated to be around 18,000, including about 4,000 students, are simply stunned.

Stephanie Collins, a language trainer from Canada who has worked in Bangalore for two years, said: "Bangalore is one of India's best cities and it offers everyone, even expatriates, a sense of belonging.

"But the recent attacks on Christians is making me think twice. Why in a secular country like India are Christians considered outsiders and are vulnerable to violence?"

Saba Khan, a student of biotechnology from Iran, said he came to Bangalore a year ago as the city provides the best - and safe - educational opportunities.

"But now I am scared. My parents in Tehran are worried," said the 22-year-old pursuing a masters in biotechnology at Bangalore University.

Ester Rupa Sahu, a BPO employee from Shillong, felt such incidents were damaging the reputation of Karnataka, known across the country as an "oasis of peace".

D. Muralidhar, president of the Federation of the Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI), added: "It is a bad dream. Karnataka is known for harmonious relations among different communities. Industry is concerned about such attacks as they do not take place in any civilised society."

G.B. Atri, a former wing commander in the Indian Air Force and now the Brahmin face of the Bahujan Samaj Party in Karnataka, was of the view that the "level of patience in the society is coming down. Goondas (thugs) should not be allowed a free hand".

News 01

Mulayam wants Bajrang Dal banned

PTI | September 23, 2008 | 18:26 IST

The Samajwadi Party on Tuesday demanded a ban on Bajrang Dal in the wake of attacks on churches and missionaries in Orissa and Karnataka, saying when there is a ban on SIMI the same action can be taken against the saffron outfit.

"We demand a ban on Bajrang Dal for which we will talk to the Union government," party president Mulayam Singh Yadav told newspersons here.

Yadav, who opposes the ban on Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), said when there can be a ban on SIMI why a ban cannot be imposed on Bajrang Dal.

Appreciating the services of missionaries in various fields, he said their contribution and work towards humanity cannot be overlooked.

Hitting out at the saffron outfit, he said that a debate should be initiated to ascertain as to who is at the root of terror and the recent attacks.

The Samajwadi Party leader also came out in support of the people of Azmagarh, the place from where youths linked to Delhi serial blasts come from, saying "a thorough inquiry will reveal the real picture".

"There can be a handful of people who could be involved in such cases but it is wrong to brand the town as nursery of terrorism," he said

News Today

Protest marches to condemn attack on Christians

Bangalore (PTI): The Congress and various Christian organisations on Wednesday staged protest marches in different parts of the city to condemn attacks on Churches and various prayer halls in Karnataka.

The Congress held a protest march from Mariananapalya St James Church near Hebbal to Raj Bhavan. The protest rally was led by the Congress Youth leader Krishna Byregowda.

Byregowda condemned the state government's "failure" to ensure safety to minorities. "The failure of the state government to rein in the perpetrators had prompted the Centre to send a central team and dispatch advisories."

Members of the All India Christian Union also held a demonstration in the city demanding that the state government ensure safety to pastors, nuns and other members of the Christian community.

The protestors, comprising nuns, priests and members of the community, held placards displaying slogans condemning the attacks.