Converting in India

[Seeker]

I've seen a few news media reports on anti-conversion laws in India.  Can anyone shed some light on the truth of these matters?  I've learned to suspect most everything I read in the news.  My understanding is that India is a democracy that supports freedom of religion.  Thanks.

[Melody]

"India" is the English name for this country, the Hindi name being "Hindustan" which translated literally means "Land of the Hindu". Many of the Political Groups in India which are all Hindu-Oriented (BJP, VHP, RSS) would have India literally only be a Hindustan. I remember once reading in the news about a politician wanting to send all the Christians 'back'. Where would we go?? We are as Indian as the Hindus, many of us Christian several generations up.

The Preamble of the Constitution of India starts with the famous (in India anyway):

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: 

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;

and to promote among them all

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation

What is happening in India however is a very different story. India’s coalition government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is about to introduce a fresh "rule" to prevent religious conversion among backward Hindus across the nation. Their claim is "This rule is not against conversion. We are just trying to regulate forcible conversion".

The Rule has not yet been implemented, it's name: “Change of Religion of the Members of SC/ST (Regulation and Approval) Rule”

If implemented, here's what it dictates:

(01) The law will insist that anyone wishing to change religion apply with an affidavit before the District Collector (a chief government executive) or an equal authority.

(02) Further, the official must provide a written order granting his permission. If violated, the person could be punished with a fine of 1000 Indian rupees ($21) per day, from the date on which the conversion took place until he or she is charged with the offense (this is a LOT of money for the poverty stricken class to even think of paying).
 
(03) In a country where 350 million people are illiterate and 260 million fall under the poverty line, the rule demands aspiring converts to have undergone a secondary education.

Conversion to Christianity is a highly controversial issue in India. In January 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were burned alive, by Hindu fundamentalists who accused Staines of converting tribal peoples. [See an earlier post titled 'Forgiveness' in the Central]

The Indian states of Orissa, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, where the BJP or its allies are in power, have passed laws to prevent conversions. For some time, the BJP has been pushing for other Indian states to pass similar laws. Critics say these rules are specifically aimed at Christian missions working among tribal peoples, the poor and the low-caste Hindus known as Dalits.

This past Christmas Eve (24th Dec 2003) a Hindu group claimed to "Reconvert" 1000 Christians back to Hinduism in the state of Gujarat. On Christmas Eve 1998, a rally by Hindu extremists triggered an anti-Christian offensive in which militants beat up Christians, burned Bibles and destroyed churches in the state's Dangs district, 1,500 kilometers southwest of New Delhi. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which is another political party, announced plans for the mass reconversion on Christmas Eve.

Even now, horrendous crimes incl. murders are being committed in Madhya Pradesh all under the facade of stopping "Forced Conversions".

In Mumbai where I live, the Christian community is (Praise God) pretty strong, educated & has some say in political matters too. So we really do not see the intensity of the attacks. It does shake all of us though when from time to time we hear of Priests being paraded through villages naked or nuns being raped and flogged and other such true-life-horror-stories.

There is a post in the Prayer Requests Forum where our community is praying for the Christians (note all Christians not just Catholics) in India. Those who aren't doing so already, pls. join us.

May God bless us all,

Melody

[Pls. note that I've cut & paste some matter from news clippings & all that is written here is not originally mine].

[Seeker]

Melody,

Thanks for clearing that up for me.  I will add my prayers to the community for all Christians in India.  You've opened my eyes to what's happening in your country.  Christians in India must be blessed with a strong faith  to face persecution like that. Is there anything (aside from prayer) that someone who is not a citizen of India could do to help?

[Melody]

Seeker,

Not sure about what else we can do but pray. What I am sure about though, is that Prayer is a Powerful weapon, so let's keep storming the heavens for this one.

Christians in India must be blessed with a strong faith to face persecution like that

The sad thing is that not All Christians in India are strong in their faith. For example in Mumbai where I live, we are not persecuted, therefore there are many "Sunday Catholics" and those who take their "faith" for granted. It's sad that it takes persecution to discover one's fidelity to their faith.

Last week at my parish prayer meeting, a Muslim convert from North India shared her testimony and hearing of her persecutions we really appreciated how easy we have it.

Melody

[rockingheart]

Well I think God has chosed India for a speacial cause:

Motto of India: "Satyameva Jayate"  Sanskrit: "Truth Alone Triumphs" is the national Motto of India.

Bible:

John: 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"