Christians accused of receiving foreign funds for conversion

Reports and articles published on websites and blogs of pro-Hindu groups, accuse Christian missionaries of receiving huge foreign funds to convert India to "Christianity".

In addition, they claim, Christians are debasing Indian Constitution and are more concerned of Church activities over people or nation's interest.

"After Independence, the church changed its methods but its goal remained unchanged. Open confrontation with the indigenous faiths was dropped in favour of covert methods ,including offering inducements to the target groups (poor, needy and illiterate sections)," writes Balbir K Punj, Member of Parliament

"The new strategy, focused on specific areas, has yielded handsome harvest to the church. A comparison between the census figures of 1991 and 2001 shows that rate of growth of Christian population was many times more than that of Hindus in as many as 18 out of 25 states and union territories," he claims

"For the elite, the church claims that it worships the Lord through the service of the poor and has no conversion agenda. At ground level there are covert and overt attcks on other faiths."

Quoting a report by the weekly Tehelka, the politico says, "A new mood of aggressive evangelism has been emanating from America. Well funded, superbly networked, backed by the highest of the land, seized up its moral supremacy, it has India as arc of its key targets."

"The missionary goal is to set up a church within cycling distance. Then within walking distance and finally within hearing distance. The church growth figures with Tehelka clearly indicate that this missions mandate is on in full swing."

During 2000-2001, he says, various denominations of churches received from abroad a total of Rs. 4,535.23 crores, 15.56 per cent increase over the amount received in the previous year.

M. V. Kamath, another columnist with the Organiser writes, "Conversion inevitably destroys a local culture and is fundamentally subversive in content. Conversion, especially in tribal areas, leads to demographic disturbances which in turn lead to resentment. Resentment leads to violence. We condemn violence without trying to seek the reason behind it because it does not serve the interests of our secularists."

"The issue today is not conversion to another faith. Rather it is the deliberate move to break up India. Conversion inevitably destroys a local culture and is fundamentally subversive in content," he argued.

There is clear evidence which confirms that Christian organisations are backing terrorism and separatist movements in India's North-East, he said.

Similar articles and reports published on other websites demand a ban on missionaries, conversions and conclusively demand the re-conversion of Hindus from Christianity.

"Conversion" has been a controversial topic in India, even as more pastors, priests and nuns are being attacked and their churches burnt.

Christian leaders meanwhile have decided to counter these statements, "exposing the Hindutva agenda and their fabricated stories."

National United Christian Forum (NUCF), an initiative by the Archbishop of Delhi, has mobilized representatives of major Christian bodies to counter the Hindutva forces "spreading division among people."

NUCF has initiated the development of a website, which will contain resources and links "on Christianity and the activities of missioners in India."