Curious Christian

Reflections on culture, nature, and spirituality from a Christian perspective

Hindu Threat to Christians: Convert or Flee

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Matt Stone

2008-10-14

I was just reading the latest reports of the anti-Christian violence that has erupted in Borepanga, India, and tales of forced conversions to Hinduism.

“They were ordered to get on their knees and bow before the portrait of a Hindu preacher. They were told to turn over their Bibles, hymnals and the two brightly colored calendar images of Christ that hung on their wall … ‘Embrace Hinduism, and your house will not be demolished … Otherwise, you will be killed, or you will be thrown out of the village.’

For the full story click here.

I am thankful that we do not have these sort of tensions where I live, amongst many Hindus in western Sydney. But it is only recently that a Christian friend of mine returned to India, so I am feeling the personal connection to what is going on. I know Jesus weeps as well. So I pray for the restoration of law … and the coming of grace and truth.

Tags Hindu

4 responses to “Hindu Threat to Christians: Convert or Flee”

fernando

2008-10-14

Not to condone the violence or intimidation, but it is worth putting it in context. Conversions, to Chritianity, Buddism and Islam often happen en masse and have a socio-economic tinge to them, especially when castes or ethnic groups use them as a way to change their social condition. Saying you are a Christian is a way for many people to opt out of the system.
Also, there is a widespread (even amongst educated middle classes) view that all conversions carry the potential of “inducement.” Convert and your kids get educated, convert and your village gets a well, etc. I’m met some really sincere folk who believe village folk only ever convert for economic reasons.
So there’s a context about the unravelling of traditional society and “values” which in a strongly nationalistic country (with national pride being a big political lever). A very glocal issue indeed!!!

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Matt Stone

2008-10-14

Fernando, yes,in my interactions with Hindus I have come across a number of them expressing concerns with ‘inducements’. Read the dialogue here for instance:
http://vamsikarra.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/the-confused-indian-society/#more-242
I think its necessary to separate the issues and say, ok, you’ve got grievances, lets talk. But lets recognize that violence is not a particularly spiritual way of resolving this.

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fernando

2008-10-15

Matt that’s a good and representative discussion. It raises the question of inducement, distortion of caste, different understanding of conversion and nationalistic religion. This question of what conversion looks like to Hindus is one all Christians should ponder.
Constructive and hermeneutical disagreement is surely the way forward.

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Matt Stone

2008-10-15

Update: Just came across an article on Reuters that explors some of the underlying political issues.
http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2008/10/13/hindu-nationalist-politics-fuels-anti-christian-campaign-in-india/

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