National United Christian Forum to tackle 'conversion' claims

Mounting pressure on churches and Christian leaders over allegations of 'forced conversions' has called for a panel to look into the issue and counterclaim those accusing the Church.

The National United Christian Forum (NUCF) urged the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), Catholic Bishops' Conference of India and Evangelical Fellowship of India to nominate five members each to form a panel to look into the subject of conversion.

The NUCF with Archbishop Vincent Concessao as its president has suggested that the panel examine whether there is anything "unchristian" or ideologies followed by independent organizations standing opposed to the principles of the Bible.

"Conversion is a life-long process. If somebody voluntarily comes forward to embrace Christ, there is nothing wrong. Nobody can come between an individual and God. But forced conversion is certainly wrong. Even offering incentives for this purpose is not right," Archbishop of Delhi Vincent M Concessao, told The Indian Express.

Being dismal over the fact that some independent denominations and churches in the country were not accountable, Rev Concessao said, they needed to get back to the basic principles of Bible.

About Hindu conservatives accusing Christians on conversion and indulging in violence, Rev Concessao said, the National United Christian Forum planned to expose their "gameplan".

"The Hindutvawadis are not Hindus, they may claim they are Hindus. Their ideology is imported and is against the spirit of the Constitution. They have no roots here," he said.

"This is an opportunity to wake up. We need to have a dialogue among ourselves, we need to make Christianity known on the one hand and expose Hindutva ideology and their strategy on the other."

He asserted that there is a need for United Christian Forums to be set up at regional levels for better networking.

Hindu fundamentalists from several decades have been accusing Christian missionaries for indulging in forced conversions and allurement of tribals in the northern states of India.

In January 23, 1999, a Hindu mob led by Dara Singh gruesomely burnt alive an Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two children in their station wagon, for the same reason

Since August 23, this year, over 50,000 Christians were forced to flee to forests and relief camps after planned attacks struck the Kandhamal and neighboring districts of Orissa. At least 60 were killed and over 300 churches burnt.

Hindu groups including the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal have demanded a ban on conversion and on all missionary organisations spread out in the country.