Touching the Untouchable: India Targets Christian Converts [Breakpoint]

Breakpoint.org ^ | May 3, 2004 | Chuck Colson

[Paul_B]

For nearly her entire life, Muniyamal Krishnan has worked around human waste. In her job as a "human scavenger," she has cleaned latrines and carried buckets of waste on her head. Obviously, she didn't choose this line of work; it was all she could get -- and for religious, not economic reasons. Krishnan is an "untouchable," the lowest caste in Hindu society.

For millennia, the "untouchables" have suffered unimaginable discrimination at the hands of their fellow Hindus. As a result, millions have converted to other faiths, including Christianity. But now, Hindu nationalists, with the Indian government's blessing, want to deny them that opportunity.

In Hinduism, the "untouchables," who call themselves "dalits," are said to be the descendants of the illegitimate children of the union of prehistoric lower- and upper-caste people. Their place in life is believed to be deserved. As Stephanie Giry, an editor at FOREIGN AFFAIRS magazine, recently wrote, the belief in the dalits' "tainted origin" forced them into "the most squalid jobs."

The resulting social structure is every bit as oppressive and dehumanizing as apartheid. Dalits are forced to worship in different temples and aren't allowed to eat or drink in their employers' homes.

For many dalits, the best way to escape the misery to which Hinduism consigns them is conversion to another faith, especially Christianity. I have preached in Indian prisons and seen "untouchables" flock to Christ. Conversion, however, doesn't mean an end to discrimination, since their Hindu neighbors still view them as "untouchables," and because they become Christians, they forfeit Indian government programs put into place to benefit them.

Still, as a non-Christian dalit leader told Giry, conversion to Christianity is worth it to his people. He said that his people "gain dignity and access to the Christian community's vast network of social services." He then added, "whatever the government can do for dalits, Christian missionaries can do better."

But if the Indian ruling party, the BJP, has its way, dalits will no longer have that option. The BJP, which espouses Hindu supremacy, has introduced the Orwellian -- named "Freedom of Religion Bill" in India's Gujarat state. It punishes anyone who converts another person through "allurement" with three years in prison and a $2,200 fine, an enormous sum by Indian standards. The law prohibits conversions performed by "religious priests," meaning Christianity and Islam, since Hindu and Buddhist conversion rites aren't officiated.

Giry points out, as well, that the law instructs local magistrates, mostly upper-caste Hindus, to look for any evidence of "allurement," which is conveniently, by the way, undefined. Thus, the people who have oppressed the dalits for generations have the authority to block their conversions. And this statute is considered a model for similar legislation across India.

This year, India will be a subject of debate in the presidential campaign because of the "outsourcing" of American jobs to Indian firms. We need to insist that the talk in the campaign go beyond "call centers" and computer programmers. If we're putting business in India, our policy- makers ought to be demanding that India respect the most basic of human freedoms, freedom of religion.

For printer-friendly version, visit http://www.breakpoint.org and simply click on Today's Commentary at the top of the homepage. The printer- friendly link is on the left-hand column.

FURTHER READING & INFORMATION Stephanie Giry, "Chennai Dispatch: SOL," NEW REPUBLIC, 26 April 2004. (Available to subscribers only.) https://ssl.tnr.com/p/docsub.mhtml?i=20040426&s=giry042604

Daniel Lak, "Dalits' political awakening," BBC NEWS, 28 September 1999. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/459591.stm

Nirmala Ganapathy, "In Venkaiah's town, Dalits can't share the well," INDIAN EXPRESS, 26 April 2004. http://www.expressindia.com/election/ fullestory.php?type=ei&content_id=30800

Girish Kuber, "Are the Dalits becoming just an election statistic?" ECONOMIC TIMES, 12 April 2004. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/611033.cms

Gary Haugen, THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT INJUSTICE (InterVarsity, 1999). http://www.pfm.org/BPtemplate.cfm?Section=PF_Store&template=/ Ecommerce/ProductDisplay.cfm&ProductID=132

[E Rocc]

I think you can expect BJP attacks on Christian missions in general in the near future.

They leave that to their allies in the RSS, which resembles a cross between a European fascist party and a Hindu Taliban.

It's already happening though:

Six missionaries beaten during gospel campaign in India.

Missionaries tread warily in India.

-Eric

[Blood of Tyrants]

Yes, but there is no guarantee of anything in the Hindu faith. Virtually anything you do could "offend" one of their literally millions of gods and condemn you.

If you check them out, you will find that the vast majority of Indians are dirt poor and have little. That would mean that the at one time some richer Hindu was NOT living a moral life and was "demoted" to poverty. Which of cource cannot be since there simply aren't enough rich to "demote".

Besides, if you read the article, the untouchables are supposedly paying for the "sins" of some pre-historic ancestor, generation after generation after generation. Doesn't look like there is much room at the top of the ladder.

[AnIndianFromIndia]

[Paul_B]

This signifies what, exactly?

[AnIndianFromIndia]

At the end of the day, every religion developed as a kind of psychological refuge, to save man from going insane, with the dangers he faced everyday, to allay his fear of death, to comfort his mind which had evolved powerful enough to reason.When man formed societies, religion served to act like a glue within that society.But now, the opposite happens as societies intermingle, and each ones' idea goes in conflict with the other, causing the trouble we are all familiar with today.This is another proof of the fact that religions too evolved and were created by man, much like he evolved from lower forms.This is the real light, and hope some of us are smart enough to see through it.

These are only my thoughts. If they have offended you, be not so. Consider them as but the words of a fool. And imagine this to have been but a dream, which has now ended.

[antiRepublicrat]

Yes, but there is no guarantee of anything in the Hindu faith.

Don't blashpheme if you're Christian. Hellfire for eternity, and no second chance.

That would mean that the at one time some richer Hindu was NOT living a moral life and was "demoted" to poverty. Which of cource cannot be since there simply aren't enough rich to "demote".

A religion doesn't make sense -- that's not new.

Besides, if you read the article, the untouchables are supposedly paying for the "sins" of some pre-historic ancestor, generation after generation after generation.

I knew that before the article. It's kind of like the descendents of Ham, or the descendants of illegitimate children to the 10th generation.

[AnIndianFromIndia]

Nothing...just the love of Krishna to all mankind.

[AnIndianFromIndia]

"Allow not thy ignorance to prove thee a fool."

[Styria]

India's upper castes consist of the descendents of white Aryans...<G>.

[Styria]

If I saw a child that color, I would start CPR.

[AnIndianFromIndia]

;) There is a story as to why the child is coloured that way.

[Khurkris]

Please to be sharing the Love!

[Blood of Tyrants]

Don't blashpheme if you're Christian. Hellfire for eternity, and no second chance.

Interesting you should pick that verse

Mark 3:28-30: "I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit."

Jesus is specifically talking about the very men who would condemn him to death. He knew their hearts were hard and that they would never change their minds. Jesus also says that once you are his, NO ONE can take you away.

It's kind of like the descendents of Ham, or the descendants of illegitimate children to the 10th generation.

True. (But the bible says the sins of the father will be visited on the 3rd and fourth generations, but I could be wrong.) However, Christianity offers chance to leave that old life behind. In Hinduism, if you are born an untouchable, you will die and untouchable if you cannot leave that country.

[Theo]

The well-respected evangelist Ravi Zacharias became a Christian in India (where he was born into an upper caste), and has spent the past couple of decades explaining the Christian faith to non-believers. Here's a website for the organization he founded:

http://www.gospelcom.net/rzim/

Have you heard the gospel explained from someone of Indian ethnicity? Is their approach to the faith much different from that of a "Westerner," as far as you can tell?

[antiRepublicrat]

Jesus is specifically talking about the very men who would condemn him to death. He knew their hearts were hard and that they would never change their minds.

I don't see your interpretation. If anything, he's referring to the unclean spirits who fell down in front of him earlier and cried "Thou art the Son of God."

But the bible says the sins of the father will be visited on the 3rd and fourth generations, but I could be wrong.)

No, you're right. I'm talking about another one specifically for illegitimate children.

In Hinduism, if you are born an untouchable, you will die and untouchable if you cannot leave that country.

True, but that same cast system has existed in many religions and places. Likewise, it wasn't good to be a serf in medieval Europe. You guys are doing some good work to try to stop this modern-day serfdom.

[Buggman]

Ravi's a good guy. At the risk of name-dropping, I had the privilage of interning at his ministry some years ago and was put in charge of organizing some ten years worth of his recorded speeches and sermons--which meant that I had to listen to all of them to figure out what the subject was and where and when they took place. Poor me. :^) Ravi has some powerful answers to the Hindu worldview, for those who are interested.

[AnIndianFromIndia]

In India, at least 50% of those who attend church are Hindus, and by this I mean, not converts, but practising Hindus.Jesus is as much respected as Krishna.I am saying this because my mother, a staunch Hindu, makes it a point every week to attend church.
The people who create trouble here are fringe elements who fear having their beliefs encroached upon.Such people exist among every society.But what's fascinating about India is that despite being a population of over a billion, there fringe elements constitute a fraction in number, of the same kind of fringe elements that exist in other societies.This may give you a hint of the kind of tolerance Hindus display toward others.
The problem arises when these missionary types come in, give handouts in the name of poverty and start to divide people here, saying things like Hindus are bad, Christians are all good...and so on.This kind of thing creates trouble where none existed.These people are going to bring more harm to Christians than anyone else.If you've aided such people, rest assured that you are part to blame.We have nothing against Christians.Don't make us.For the love of God.
If you think Christianity can solve the problem of caste-ism, you are damn wrong.As I pointed out in an earlier post, caste-ism has very little to do with Hinduism, and more to do with society.I know catholics here who refuse to marry/attend schools of protestants and vice versa, and rivalries between churches.To talk of, Syrian Christians in Kerala(whom supposedly St.Thomas converted) set themselves apart from other Christians, and declare themselves "purer" than their catholic/protestant brethren.
Alleviation of poverty and scientific education are the only fit tools for the job in hand.

[Styria]

What caste are you in?

[swarthyguy]

They should go to Catholic churches in Goa, where after the King was converted by the Jesuits, he decreed all his subjects to convert too.

One of the conditions was that Catholics who had been Brahmins have their seperate entrances.

JC can be easily absorbed into the Hindu pantheon anyway.

[AnIndianFromIndia]

It is irrelevant as to what caste I belong.But if you are willing to look at caste in the same light as many of your personal documents require you to declare your race,then I belong to a caste known as the Nambudiri, or more commonly, a brahmin.But let me declare, I consume beef, and for all purposes, I am a rationalist.(read atheist or realist)