15 QUESTIONS ABOUT INDIAN CHRISTIANITY

  1. What right has Christianity to be in India?

Christianity has been in India since 52 A.D ushered in by St. Thomas, one of the first and direct disciples of Jesus Christ, and an apostle. Christianity was here before it ever reached England or America. In the past 2000 years it has taken firm roots here, though the number of Christians in India is still very small. A religion that has been here for 2000 years and lived through several generations is as totally indigenous as any religion can claim to be. It is certainly older than Islam, Sikhism, the Baha’l faith, and many other newer movements like that of the Brahamakumaris, Satya Sai-Baba, Bhagwan Rajneesh and many others. By no stretch of imagination or criterion can Christianity be called a foreign religion, or its adherents foreigners. The life of many generations of Christians has mingled with the soil, air and lifeblood of the Indian subcontinent. It is part and parcel of Indian life. It is as much part of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and others as they are part of the life of Christians living in India. Let us also not forget that Christianity was born in Asia Minor, that it is primarily an Asian religion and that it went westwards from the East. It spread in all directions and India was no exception.

2. Why do Christians form only 2.4% of Indian Population?

Despite centuries’ old presence of Christianity in the subcontinent, the religion has not spread widely here, and the population of Christians has remained at a paltry 2.4%. The British in India, the Portuguese in Goa, the French in Pondichery were all Christians, but none of these, despite being rulers could change the demographic profile ofIndia, either in favor of or against the peace-loving Christians. Christianity has grown in India mainly be the process of metamorphosis and through the witness of Christians’ lives. True, there have been conversions to Christianity as to any other religion, but they have been so minimal that the population has hardly shown any difference. So how come there is this imagined threat from the tiny minority of Christians? Is conversion, the real cause of tension, as orchestrated by some fundamentalist and anti-India groups make out to be?

3. What Contributions has Christianity made on the National scene?

But for the significant contribution in the area of education, health and development by Christians, who obey the mandate of their religion to serve the poorest of the poor, Christianity would have remained an insignificant religion in India. Mother Teresa is just one of the millions of dedicated workers of their kind in India and around the world. The sisters belonging to Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Teresa, work all around the world as Indians, including in Christian countries. They have no hope of converting the already practicing Christians there.

4. Where do Christians serve in India?

The contribution of Christians as true citizens of this country, many of whom are in the armed forces, goes far beyond the Services. The network of Christian Service is very large. The Catholic Church alone runs 7,570 Kindergarten and Nursery Schools (9,10,158 students), 14,638 Primary schools (46,53,110 students), 9,414 Secondary Schools (4,26,784 students) 63 Medical and nursing colleges (18,080 students), and 6 Engineering Schools all over the countries. These figures relate to institutions run by Catholics and do not give a full picture. While the Catholics and to form the single largest group, there are other Main Line Churches such as the CSI, CNI, Orthodox, Marthoma, Methodist, Lutheran and Baptist Churches. Besides there are hundreds of other Christian denominations, which run many similar institutions all over the country.
There are 6000 other institutions in the country such as hospitals, orphanages, homes for the aged etc. run by Christians. Christian workers have started many rural cooperative banks, mild cooperatives, seed cooperatives in backward areas where neither the government nor other NGOs have reached yet.

5. Who are the beneficiaries of these Services?

If the population of Christians in India is only 2.4% (down from 2.8% in former years), then certainly they are not the sole beneficiaries of their services. It is an undisputed fact that 95% of those benefiting from these services are non-Christians. The demand for admissions to Christian schools every year is so intense that some of the Principals in charge of these institutions get a nervous breakdown in the process. And people whose children, for whatever reason, do not succeed in getting admission resort to all kinds of tricks to put pressure on the school authorities. These include harassment such as cutting of phone lines, water supply, electricity problems, and unwarranted investigations from the government authorities and the blocking of routine permissions for running of the institutions.

6. What is this commotion about Conversion?

First of all, let it be known to all that the Church DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY FORCEFUL CONVERSION or conversion by fraudulent means. It does not approve or condone any such activity and in fact it expressly forbids it. In practice, if it was not so, the Christian population would have increased many times over than what it is today.

Conversion as natural process of those choosing to embrace a certain religion has been going on for the last 2000 years, not only into Christianity but also to other religions. Buddhism started only with Gautham the Buddha but today it has spread to a big portion of Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea and many other courtiers. Why nobody objects to conversions to Buddhism? Simply because Buddhism does not have a direct mandate on empowering the poor and the disadvantaged to fight against to oppression.

The real issue, thereof, is not conversion. The issue can be best explained by a comment a government officer had with a Catholic priest in Orissa (not knowing that he was talking to a priest). “We like their schools and they are run very well. That is why we send our children there, but the work they are doing for the upliftment of the adivasis and backward classes, is very bad. If these people are educated and developed, then they will start asking for their rights. The jobs which, our children now have will be demanded by them. We won’t get people to work in our houses and fields. Where will our own children go to find word?”

That ultimately is the crux of the problem. If the backward classes and adivasis manage to acquire an equal status with the developed classes, how can they be oppressed by the dominant classes? Can someone please stand up and answer this question to those who are raising a hue and cry over Conversions (Remember the number of Christians has decreased from 2.8% to 2.4%).

7. What is Conversion then?

Conversion is primarily understood as turning away from evil and embracing good. That was the primary demand made by Jesus himself, as Mark 1:14 says “Jesus himself, said the right time has come. The kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!”

In practical terms, conversion is a free personal choice and it is a matter between God and an individual. A free choice can neither be imposed nor forced. Conversion by force is a contradiction in terms, and the single largest Divine institutions on earth, the Universal Church, cannot live or survive with contradictions on such a large scale.

A person can be forced to change his shirt or sign a document. Someone can forcefully break his or her bones but no one can ever change someone’s faith by force or even by manipulation. Can anyone ever remove one’s faith forcefully from one’s mind and heart and plant another instead? Can someone remove forcefully one’s affection for one’s mother or father and replace that with something else? So how can conversion of faith be forced on anyone? Thus the allegations of forced conversions and conversion by other means is a lie and a bogey.

8. Is it true that Mahatma Gandhi himself wanted to convert to Christianity?

These days, the words of Mahatma Gandhi are being quoted by those very people who did not hesitate to drive a bullet through him to kill him. Mahatma Gandhi must no doubt be turning in his grave seeing how he is being quoted by those who opposed him at every turn. Can this be called another case of conversion of heart of is this group used to these kinds of tricks? The writings of the Mahatma are contained in more than a hundred volumes. He spoke a great deal and wrote even more. There is no doubt that the non-violence movement started by Gandhiji was due to the impact of words of Jesus Christ, “If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer to him the other too”. He read the Bible cover to cover and was highly inspired by the Sermon on the Mount. He himself was once troubled with the question of converting. He wrote, “There was a time when I was wavering between Hinduism and Christianity…” And Gandhi believed in the pluralistic character of Indian society. As a staunch and true Hindu, he did not feel the need to promote a one-sided Hindutva ideology. Those who are so busy quoting him should remember what he said about other religions. He asserted India’s composite culture and said, “In no other part of the world are one nationality and one religion synonymous terms; nor has it ever been so in India,” and reiterated, “If the Hindus believe that India should be peopled only by Hindus, they are living in a dreamland”.

9. What is the truth about alleged Conversion?

The reality is that conversions do take place only as a natural process of human society. They trickle only at a snail’s peace. They never happen on a large scale. If they did, as claimed by the Sangh Parivar and the neo-fascists, then why and how would the numbers of Christians in India still remain so small (2.34% or 24 million out of 1000 million people)? They have never threatened the demographic structure of the Hindu population, not even at the time when Christians were rulers in this land. This must also make us realize that the colonizers did not try seriously to Christianize India and that at the time of colonizers Christianity spread in India at a great speed. There is no evidence of that anywhere. Besides, are we concerned about the past history of India or are we trying to build a new India after the Independence?

Because the Christians are peace loving and non-aggressive, though active in their social responsibility, they have been accused by all, including sometimes by Vivekananda and Gandhi, who were no doubt staunch Hindus and at times perceived some things from that perspective.

10.  Does Hinduism accept conversion within itself?

Himduism as such (with the exception of a few upcoming sects), is not a proselytizing religion and that is in its nature. It is also possible that due to this reason some fundamentalist make conversion an issue in India. The question, however, is that if they are so opposed to conversion from one religion to another, they should also object to thousands of Christians converting to Hinduism in the West. Strangely, forceful re-conversion or ‘Gyar-Vapsi’ movement is advocated and practiced by some of the fundamentalist groups. This means that they apply double standards to their call of banning conversion. This is another clear instance of oppression, where the oppressors apply one set of rule for themselves and another set for the oppressed. The most important conclusion to be drawn from this activity of there is that they are accusing the Christians of nothing but what they themselves are engaged in doing. In Psychology, this is called projection of one self.

11.  Are tribals Hindus?

The well known anthropoligist Mr. B.R. Gulati and others have long established that tribals are not Hindus. They have their own set of beliefs and they are animists. He further states, “Christians and the non-Christian tribals have been interacting with each other in all social matters such as birth, marriage and death ceremonies. They are strictly endogamous with respect to their main tribe and the Christian converts and non-Christians do marry freely among themselves. This is an ample proof that they have not gone far from their roots.

Other anthropoligists, such as N.K. Bose in his book, “the Hindu Method of Tribal Absorption”, says that even today, many of these tribal groups have been Hinduised through organizing festivals, and using other Sanskritic symbols and rituals. He further states: “But besides all these it is absolutely certain that some jatis are undoubtedly of tribal origin; and this has been the result of conscious plan of Hindu society to dominate over and absorb tribal groups within its economic and social framework”.

12.  Is the Missionary work restricted only to the poor and the backward classes?

It is not quite true to say that mission work is restricted only to the poor areas. Missionaries of Charity run their centers for the handicapped and the needy in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. St. Colomba’s, Jesus and Mary convent, St. Xavier’s college are not in the poor areas of Delhi or Mumbai, though these witness to the values and wishes of Christ.

Having said that, it has to be admitted that much of the work of missionaries is done among the poor areas. It is because the missionaries choose to work in the areas where there is a greater need of their service. This choice is based again on what Jesus himself did. His mission and message was amongst the poor and the oppressed as expressed in the gospel of Luke 4:16. In addition, Jesus said in the gospel, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brother (sister), you do it to me”. In fact He emphasized this aspect so strongly that he restricted the admission of people to heaven merely on how and what they do to the poor, the naked, the sick and those in prison (Mathew 25:25).

His emphasis on the poor at times was put in sharp contrast to the rich, so He once said, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get to heaven”. The Sermon on the Mount which influenced Mahatma Gandhi so much speaks about the blessedness of the poor and the meek.

13.  Can attacks on Christians dampen their spirit to follow Christ?

Attacks on Christians, be they verbal, physical or otherwise, are not a new phenomenon, not even in India. Tipu Sultan, in his eagerness, is known to have destroyed Churches and harassed Christians. But India is known through the ages for its tolerance to all faiths. Attacks and persecution on Christians started right from the time when Jesus himself was persecuted and hanged on the Cross. Saul, who later became Paul - the greatest missionary and preacher of the Gospel of Jesus – was himself involved in persecuting the first Christians. Millions of Christians since then been martyred for their faith in Jesus. But the history of Christianity shows that the more they thrive and prosper. Emperor Nero and other Roman emperors, for instance, tried to eradicate Christianity from his kingdom through harshest persecutions and killings of Christians, but today Rome stand as the centre and glory of Christendom. It is probably a way of Jesus to inject the true spirit of Christianity in them. As the Bible says, “Gold is purified only in fire”.

14.  Are all Hindus against minorities, particularly against Christians?

This would be one of the greatest blunders for anyone to think that the majority of Hindus are anti-minority or anti-Christian. It has to be stressed and restated that the majority of Hindus are very tolerant and broadminded people. They have been so for centuries and this is the reason why Christians and other minorities could live in peace in India. Thus is only a small group or as described by the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, formerly a staunch RSS man – “a lunatic fringe” that is involved in opposing the work of love and service in this country. In no other country is the work of Christian service looked upon with such suspicion or minorities harassed for their selfless and dedicated service.

15.  How did Christians react to atrocities perpetrated on them?

Once Jesus was asked by one of His favorite disciples Peter, “How many times must I forgive those who wrong me? Seven times?” In His typical style, Jesus told him, “I tell you not seven times but seventy times seven.” This is what the Christians try to emulate in their life, though they don’t always succeed in real life situations.

Gladys Staines, the wife of Graham and the mother of her only two sons, exemplified this teaching of Jesus in real life. Her immediate reaction to those who burnt her husband and two sons alive was to forgive them. She said, “I forgive them. May the love of Jesus, which inspired Graham to work in India, inspire and transform their hearts.” This is a supreme example of real life forgiveness. It came to Mrs. Staines only because of her pure love for Jesus, for, even as He hung on the Cross, breathing His last, Jesus said, “Father (God), forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”

The prayer taught by Jesus, which is said by every Christian, sometimes several times a day, has such a sentence,” …forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us and lead us not into temptation.” This is one common prayer of all Christians for those who fail to understand them and their work. Christians in India will never harbor sentiments of revenge no matter how much or how often they are attacked. They will use all peaceful means to bring about justice for the poor, the oppressed and the under-privileged but they will never resort to physical violence. They will continue to love their enemies and intensify their efforts to love the poor and those deprived of human love, as the Bible says, “where there is love, there is God.”

The essence of Christianity is ‘Love”, which made God the Father to send His Son Jesus Christ to become a man. God the Father let His son die on the Cross to save the erring and sinning humanity from sin, so that the whole human race could be joined with God is heaven after we have finished with this world.

Courtesy: Global Council of Indian Christians, February - 2007