Christians accused of aiding conversions through charity funds

Scathing reports on Christian missionaries and their "conversion agenda" in India beckons more trouble for Christians.

Sudheendra Kulkarni, a columnist with a leading national daily writes, "Christians are using foreign funds in the name of charitable activities to aid conversions."

Urging the Central government to set up a National Commission to investigate religious conversions in India, he claimed, conversions have brought in significant changes in religious demography and have caused resentment and social disharmony.

According to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) available on the Union Home Ministry website, Kulkarni cites, "During 2005-06, Rs 7,877 crore was received by way of foreign donations to various NGOs, up from Rs 5,105 crore in 2003-04. Tamil Nadu (Rs 1,610 crore) and Andhra Pradesh (Rs 1,011 crore) were among the highest recipients. "

"The highest foreign donors were Gospel Fellowship Trust USA (Rs 229 crore), Gospel for Asia (Rs 137 crore), Foundation Vincent E Ferrer, Spain (Rs 104.23 crores) and Christian Aid, UK (Rs 80.16 crores). The largest recipients were World Vision (Rs 256 crore), Caritas India (Rs 193 crore), Rural Development Trust Andhra Pradesh (Rs 127 crore), Churches Auxiliary for Social Action (Rs. 95.88 crores) and Gospel For Asia (Rs. 58.29 crore). "

Kulkarni assertively states, "an unbiased commission would reveal three irrefutable facts: (1) Christianity accounts for the largest number of converts; (2) Christian organisations conduct service activitiesâ€"schools, hospitals, poverty-alleviation programmes, relief during calamities, etc.â€"with exemplary dedication and professionalism. However, some of them, though not all, make the conversion agenda a part of their seva agenda; (3) Foreign funds supporting these charitable activities have greatly aided conversions."

In addition, he claims the funds helped Church support separatist outfits, in particular the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), which gunned down 16 Hindus at a marketplace in West Tripura district on January 13, 2002.

Conversion has always been a controversial subject in India. Hindu fanatics accuse Christians of converting Hindus to Christianity by force and allurement. Churches have been burnt, Christians murdered and their homes and properties damaged for this sole reason.

When attacks in Bangalore synchronized with the Orissa violence, Church sternly refuted claims of conversions and said, "it has never been proved in the Court of India."

They voiced their concern for the missionaries in different parts of the country, who have been relentlessly involved in social services, health care and education.

Bishop DK Sahu, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India told Christian Today: "Church is against conversion. It is unethical and unchristian. Let the people in this country judge, what Christians have done in India. They will testify of our suffering and heart for this nation."

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