Conversion Debate: ‘Time to unite and change’

May it be natural calamity or economic slowdown, nothing of these have seem to be greater than the controversial 'conversion issue' which has been for long dehumanizing souls and segregating people on communal lines in India.

Last few months have been the most arduous and perplexing period for many Christians, specially those in North India, who were attacked for their Christian faith and belief.

Atrocities against the miniscule community, which includes the recent destruction of Churches in Andhra Pradesh, attack on Christian run schools in North India, and assault on nuns in Madhya Pradesh, have seriously disillusioned the Christians, leaving them ponder on the future, which seems very vague and fearful.

The current incidents have already planted the seed of fear and insecurity in the minds of minority groups, specially the Christians, who have played an active role in resuscitating and reforming India. Being just 2.3%, in a predominantly Hindu country, the Christians have already made an impact, in the social, educational and healthcare sectors in the country.

The recent Kandhamal violence in Orissa, have been just a preliminary phase, of a much–feared sinister violence to occur. 94 churches and 1,500 Christian homes were burned, and 10 people were killed. The reason for the attack is attributed to none other than the "Christian Conversion" or “Proselytization”.

Ask the belligerent radical nationalist, why he attacked the Churches? Nimbly he might attribute it to –'Forceful Conversion'. Why is the pastor there bruised? ‘Its nothing much, he was attacked for sharing Christ’. At last they have a reason, to attack the feeble.

According to a report by the Center for Religious Freedom, the attacks against the Indian Christian community for alleged 'forceful conversion', include murder of missionaries and priests, the sexual assault of nuns, the ransacking of churches, convents and other Christian institutions.

"There are attacks practically every week, maybe not resulting in death, but still, violent attacks, creating insecure feelings," rues Rev. Richard Howell, general secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India.

UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Asma Jehangir, who came to India recently says, “India risks more religious violence, like Gujarat's 2002 riots that killed 2,500 people, as delays to bring justice and communal disharmony encouraged an atmosphere of impunity.”

Jehangir warns if the situation is not checked soon, there might be another major communal violence looming in the near future. She hopes that active participation from the government and non–state actors can help to dispel dissatisfaction among the minorities.

The murder of Graham Staines, an Australian missionary who was burnt to death while he was sleeping with his two sons Timothy (aged 9) and Philip (aged 7), in 1999, is an example of what danger the provoking thoughts inculcated by radical organizations can cause.

Graham Staines who had been accused of being a zealous evangelical, worked in Orissa among the tribal poor and especially with leprosy patients since 1965, devoting much of his time to the social cause.

Many at last understood the Christian love and service, when Mrs. Staines, in an interview underlined the importance of forgiveness and said she has already forgiven the perpetrators and has no bitterness against anyone. The widowed lady, captivated the heart of many Indians, with a few forgiving words, revealing the nature of Christ whom she has been following all her life.

According to the All India Christian Council, there have been 190 officialy–recorded atrocities against Christians from the month of January to November 16, 2007. The statistics has crossed the record of 2006 and 2005.

Recent wave of anti–conversion laws passed in various Indian states is another sign of a gradual and continuous institutionalization of Hindutva and its vehement attacks. Seven states have already passed the anti–conversion laws. In several states, the anti–conversion law, which was supposed to prevent conversion, became tools of persecution and criminalizing voluntary conversion.

Few months back, I had the privilege to attend a classified conference on 'Religious Conversion' held at the famous India International Center in New Delhi. Prominent people including RSS/BJP leaders, Muslim scholars, political scientists, Christian activists, Jains, and several journalists assembled.

The motive of the conference was to sensitize and sift the issues isolating people in the name of 'Religion', and to build mutual peace between all sects.

However, the room losing its cozy experience came in with a treat of squealing noises, each defending their own sects.

"The conversion issue must stop. Christians should stop converting Hindus by force and to restrict this every state must pass a law," opined a RSS leader.

Another suggests, "Those who are involved in conversion and allurement must be denationalized."

With great shock, I was ruminating if the conversion issue has gone this worst? While minority groups once were discussing and cogitating on small issues, a new era has come, where terms such as 'denationalized' is being introduced. Do the minority groups be denationalized in the name of religion? Is this the sign of a degrading 'Religious Freedom' in India?

However, the conference, which was organized to build peace, understanding, and to remove the disharmonies and entrenched views, ended with inconclusive results.

Turning back to the pages of the constitution of India, it is very apparent that the preamble to the Constitution of India proclaimed India a "sovereign socialist secular democratic republic". It mandates equal treatment and tolerance of all religions.

India does not have an official state religion; it enshrines the right to practice, preach, and propagate any religion. Right to freedom of religion is a fundamental right according to the Indian Constitution.

In no way am I denying the fact that forceful conversion has never been carried out in the country. Someone not conversant with the Gospel and lacking theological or scriptural education would have committed this mistake, which cannot be even accepted by God. However, it is completely erroneous to apply this to ‘all’, including those who wish to share and those who wish to accept by freewill.

If someone understands the Gospel in–depth, and wants to follow what it teaches, is always welcome and can be stopped by none. Our constitution has already permitted the freedom to follow any faith. This in no way is harm to the person or to the society. The Gospel in its pristine form from the start of Christendom has always been a source of transformation and inspiration in people's life.

In conclusion, let me remind the seething religious radicals that whoever we are, and whatever we follow, we love India and are Indians. We are equally created, and are called ‘Human Beings’.

It is time to untie all radical indoctrinations and uniting in peace and harmony, make a better place for our present and future generations. India will be truly wonderful when people of different diversity, creed and color, live in harmony and love.