Christians against proselytism

16/03/2008 06:15:16
As Indian Christians, we believe that the best and perhaps the only way we can bear witness to our faith, is by extending our unconditional love to our neighbours and expecting nothing in return as Jesus Christ showed us. As such, we are against aggressive faith marketing by any religious group because such efforts discredit India's tradition of respecting all religious thought and also runs counter to the true spirit in which the Constitution grants people the right to profess, practice and propagate their faith. We are Christians. Some of us were born into Christianity others freely chose to embrace it. We also believe that the Great Commission in the Gospel according to Matthew unequivocally calls us to witness Christ in a pluralistic setting without violating the right of the other to preach, practice and profess his/her faith. Witnessing Jesus cannot in any case be done by questionable means, whether by exploiting people's socio-psychological vulnerabilities or by running down other religions. Furthermore, we believe the Christian injunction to make disciples of all nations in today's context is best honoured by the bearers of the Good News living exemplary Christian lives and showing respect for the nation's commitment to pluralism, for the larger public good in a civil society. Conversion of faith, given its life-changing nature, stems from a considered personal experience and is less likely in this day and age to be the stuff of dramatic immediacy. When India's Supreme Court ruled, in 1977, that a citizen's right to "profess, practice and propagate" one's religion does not include the right to convert another it was merely reaffirming both tradition and the Constitution. We believe that every nation should give primacy to maintenance of public order by ensuring safety and security to the life and property of its citizens. India's all-encompassing culture and secular Constitution allows not only its citizens but also visitors the freedom of religious practice. But, Article 25 of the Constitution which guarantees that right also subjects it to the maintenance of "public order, morality and health" of the citizenry. We therefore call on the Government of India and all secular countries to seek an amendment to Article 18 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights by expanding it through the addition of a second sentence (capitalised):"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. HOWEVER, NO INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANISATION MAY SEEK TO CONVERT AN INDIVIDUAL OR A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING MINORS OR INDIVIDUALS OF LIMITED COGNITIVE ABILITIES, FORMALLY OR INFORMALLY, FROM ONE RELIGION TO ANOTHER BY OFFERING FINANCIAL OR OTHER MATERIAL INCENTIVES; THROUGH PHYSICAL, MENTAL, OR EMOTIONAL COERCION; OR THROUGH THREATS OR INTIMIDATION OF ANY KIND." While we decry the attempts of religious leaders and fundamentalists of all varieties to convert and re-convert, we pledge to work diligently for inter-faith amity in the best traditions of Indian culture. We hereby call on all Indians to join in our efforts to preserve a pluralist India founded on secularism and religious inclusion and governed by a Constitution that guarantees all its citizens all freedoms vital to the functioning of a modern democracy. Pass this link to Nationalistic Christians to sign the Petition P.N.BENJAMIN, Coordinator, BANGALORE INITIATIVE FOR RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE (BIRD) 7, 4th A Cross, HRBR Layour, Kalyan Nagar, Bangalore 560 043 INDIA Tel. 080 25455620 E-mail: benjaminpn@hotmail.com




K.Venugopal 17/03/2008 11:53:42
A wolf called BIRD.

Dear Benjamin, The rationale for conversion is the belief that your religion alone is right and others' religions are trash. As long as you do not repudiate this ideal running central in Christianity (which actually you can't, for that would be repudiating Christianity), I would continue to see you as a wolf trying to steal others sheep, though now in the cloak of a sheep called BIRD!
Vaisakhan 17/03/2008 00:09:52
Hindus stay vigilantThis sounds good, still hindus have to stay vigilant against their covert proselytising activities. KSVS, all religions are not equal. For instance Islam is a killer cult in the garb of religion to conquer world using any means. Hindus must know what is Islam. Please visit website: www.faithfreedom.org and get enlightened on this subject.
Parameswaran 16/03/2008 21:01:13
Christians against proselytismRisk...our government might implement it in such a way this privilege is accorded only to the "minorities".
Hary Nambiar 16/03/2008 15:20:07
hmmm............Let us see where it takes you! A good beginning though.
KSV SUBRAMANIAN 16/03/2008 08:50:35
Conversion through missionary work should stopAll kind of conversion through any campaign through word or deed should be stoped. There is an inherent danger in it. If you want to covert somebody, you need to necessarily say that your religion is better than other religions. Here ends the equality of religions in a secular set up. All religions are equal. Anybody can profess any religion. But nobody should induce by any means to convert. Missionary and other such concerted efforts at conversion should be stopped. It is against the spirit of secularism.
Sadanand Panigrahi 16/03/2008 07:14:26
Christians against proselytismVery nice of you Mr.Benjamin. Our religion is a very personal and most sacred wealth inherited from our forefathers. Any tampering with others' faith tantamounts to stealing the neighbour's food. It is a good sign that Christians are coming forth more and more on this burning issue creating so much anger among Hindus all these centuries. I hope you will take up the matter also with your Western counterparts who have been contributing without realising the questionable and unacceptable means employed here in India with all that money. This is creating less and less sympathy for the West's problems among majority of Hindus.