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Are evangelization programs in tribal Hindu heartlands justified?
Results so far:
| Yes | 35% | 81 votes | Total: 233 votes | |
| No | 65% | 152 votes |
Yes
by Linda Burleson
Created on: March 06, 2009 Last Updated: March 07, 2009
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world. It is based on a caste system and embraces reincarnation. To the rest of the world it appears to be a religion of mysticism and one that promotes dire poverty. We have all heard the stories of farm fields being destroyed by cattle unhampered because they could be reincarnated relatives. How true this is one does not know for certain, but pictures often accompany these stories.
Christ came to earth not only to die for our sins, but also to teach us how to live. Evangelical Christians feel that lives can be improved by sharing the hope that is offered in life with Christ. To understand this, one must understand what evangelical Christianity is all about. It is Christianity that takes the Bible literally. This being said, Matthew 28:18-20 is a commission for Christians to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It doesn't leave any room for "choice". This is not just taking the message to Hindus but to everyone, worldwide. Evangelicals believe that Christ will not return until the Gospel has been delivered to all corners of the earth. Acts 1:8 tells Christians, "... and you shall be my witnesses in Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth". How then, if one believes these to be New Testament commandments can a Christian not go where he believes that he has been called to go to deliver the message that leads to eternal salvation. After all, if one really believes this to be true yet fails to share with everyone he meets who has not met Christ,there is no concern in him for them. Believing in, "ye must be born again ..." as the only road to salvation, means that if one truly cares about his fellow man, which he is also commanded to do in the "Golden Rule", he must share Christ, regardless of the recipient's religious persuasion.
People the world over revile Christians for their evangelism, not realizing that it is not optional. If the Holy Spirit is indwelling they must evanvelize. Even so Christians understand that it is difficult to listen to a message when the stomach is empty. The New Testament also emphasizes this in the verses in Matthew that say if one does it to the very least of the brethren he has done it unto the Lord. This refers to meeting physical needs as well as spiritual needs of others.
Christians were first called Christians at Antioch as a derogatory term, insulting them for being followers of Christ. Unfortunately, Christians are not always Christlike. Perhaps if they were, there would not be so much adverse reaction to evangelism; for example, who in the world does not have regard for Mother Theresa whether or not they are Catholic. She was truly a lover of mankind. Oh that all Christians would follow this example.
Penn of the magic team Penn and Teller is an avowed, outspoken athiest. He even has a personalized license plate on his car that says "doggone" which is "no god" backward. He relates an incident that occurred on night during a performance. A Christian who apparently was aware of Penn's atheistic stance made his way to the stage and gave him a Bible. Penn was not offended; he was impressed. He said that if a person truly believed the Bible to be literal truth and saw a "truck of unbelilef" rushing at a person at high speed about to annihalate him, but did nothing to stop it, it would have to be because of hate. He felt that if someone truly believes in something that will be the ultimate salvation for someone but fails to share it, there is no love or caring in him - that one who truly believes in something should prostelatyze that message for the sake of mankind. He is absolutely right.
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No
by Amrit Bindra
Created on: April 30, 2009
Evangelism amongst the educated elite could be justified because it has to be based on intellectual persuasion. However, in the tribal belts at best it is unethical, but is equivalent to cultural genocide. Although the tribals are ignorant of the great philosophy of Hinduism, they still subscribe to its all encompassing nature. Hinduism could be compared to a land with no boundaries where everyone has a right to practice their beliefs, and of growing their understanding of spirituality by roaming from one sect to other as needed. Hinduism's main tenet is universality. The Vedas boldly declare that there is only "One Truth" that has been expressed differently, and in many ways. This Truth is a subject of experience, and beyond intellect and words so expression is according to the ability of the explorer. Since the Truth is beyond words, it could only be pointed but described by words. It is well understood that the Truth reflects itself in purified "Chitta" i.e. mind-intellect. The purification of Chitta could be accomplished through many different paths or techniques depending on the ability and suitability of the aspirant to follow a particular path. Thus there is no room or provision for Evangelizing in Hinduism.
Unlike Hinduism, Christianity and Islam have a limited belief system whether it be based on Jesus being the sole Saviour; or strictly following the teachings of Koran for entry into Heaven. These religions are based on faith and not intellectual understanding and direct experience. Conversion of the intellectual elite would naturally be preferable to converting relatively unsophisticated tribal people. However, having failed at Evangelizing through intellectual persuasion the Church's focus to prey on simple minded tribals, by exploiting their poverty by use of economic incentives, from an all encompassing culture to being imprisoned in a narrow belief system with little room for growth is a great disservice to them and their future generations. Moreover, it is also a disservice to the community because the efforts by the converted to convert more people leads to disharmony amongst the tribal people.
In spite of the existence of many sects in Hinduism, it is still a unifying force because every sect has a genuine respect for the other sects, reinforced by religious pilgrimages that incorporate temples and holy places from different sects. There is never any attempt to evangelize for any sect, although people often incorporate practices from different sects as needed, and sometimes move from one sect to the other without any problem.
Evangelism also presents danger to India's unity. In spite of its many languages and cultures, India is one nation because of Hinduism's belief of unity in diversity. However, secessionist movements begin wherever there is dominance of non-Hindus whether it be Nagaland in the northeast or Kashmir in the northwest.
Thus Christian or Islamic Evangelism in the tribal areas could not be justified as conducive to spiritual, community or national interests.
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