Indian version of Bible runs into controversy

A recently published Indian Bible by the Catholic Church has run into controversy after its inclusion of verses from the Hindu Bhagavad Gita, the songs of a Hindu mystic and references to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

An illustration in the new version depicts the Holy Family as poor Indian villagers – Mary wears a simple sari and has a bindi on her forehead alongside Joseph in a turban and loincloth.

According to the 30 Indian biblical scholars who worked for more than 15 years on the new edition, the Bible portrays on "the rich cultural and religious heritage of India."

Although approved by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India and published by the Society of St. Paul, the Bible received castigation from the protestant and small Christian sects for its diversion from the 'actual' truth.

Pastor Vijay Thomas who heads a Bible college in Chennai, talking to Christian Today said, “By making it appear ‘Indian’ with references to Hindu scriptures and great poets, people will not come to the truth. This is a complete turn back from the real Bible.

In addition, the Bible also suggests creation is a story, Eden is a mythical garden , Adam and Eves sin was probably a sexual one, the report on the plagues of Egypt is not supported by science and they are repetitious and inconsistent, the parting of the Red Sea was used for box–office effect and is not a historical account, and so on.

"I am sure this Bible, made in India and for Indians, will bring the word of God closer to millions of our people, not only Christians," said Oswald Gracias, the Catholic Archbishop of Bombay.

Accompanied by extensive commentary notes to assist readers interpret the verses, it consists of references from Indian epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Jesus' words about storing "treasure in heaven" in the gospel of Matthew are compared to the Bhagavadgita's teaching that "work alone is your proper business never the fruits it may produce".

The teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, Asia's first Nobel laureate, are also referred to in the commentary.

The general editor of the New Community Bible, Reverend Dr Augustine Kanachikuzhy, admitted that references to Hindu scriptures had generated complaints.

"This was expected," he said. "It will take some time for the [new Bible] to gain acceptance."

Meantime Kanachikuzy also claims the Bible to be a huge hit. "It has proved to be extremely popular among the Christian community with over 15,000 copies sold out within barely 10 days. Now it has gone for a reprint," he added.

According to him the desi version has 2,200 pages in full colour printing, illustrations with an Indian touch spread across the text and each copy weighing around one kg.