Posted on 05/19/2006 6:12:50 PM PDT by nickcarraway
India has responded with diplomatic equanimity to Pope Benedict XVI's seemingly provocative remarks condemning attempts to ban religious conversion in certain states.
The pope had told India’s new ambassador to the Vatican, Amitava Tripathi, on Thursday that the country should "firmly reject" attempts "to legislate clearly discriminatory restrictions on the fundamental right to religious freedom". He had also taken note of the "disturbing signs of religious intolerance which had troubled some regions of the nation".
New Delhi responded on Friday with a statement, reiterating the constitutional "freedom of conscience" and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion. "It is acknowledged universally that India is a secular and democratic country where adherents of all faiths enjoy equal rights," said a foreign ministry spokesperson.
It was the pope's second declaration this week in defence of religious freedom in countries where Christians are a minority. In India, the statement comes in the backdrop of Rajasthan planning to become the sixth state to enact the anti-conversion law the pope was referring to. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Orissa already have laws that bar conversions but allow re-conversions to Hinduism. Jharkhand has declared its intention to enact a similar law.
The BJP-ruled Rajasthan, however, has not been able to convince Governor Pratibha Patil to give her assent to the Religious Conversion Bill. She returned the bill making a point similar to the one made by the pope -- that its provisions would affect the right to freedom of religion.
The BJP has often attributed attacks on Christian missionaries, including the murder of Graham Staines in Orissa, as reactions to their proselytising. During his recent Bharat Suraksha Yatra, BJP president Rajnath Singh had described proselytising "dangerous" and asked all BJP-ruled states to enact a similar law.
wow -- you guys really want to undermine ALL the good image India's got, don't you? India AND Hinduim have a pretty good image and an improving one, but with words like your you are undermining that attempt. If you love your country, if you love your religion, stop acting like fools and debate like civilised persons -- example carrotandstick.
From Christians perhaps, but NOT from the Catholic Church. Therein lies the fullness of Christian faith, and we present no hate literature of any kind. I cannot nor would I try to answer for any other break-away Christian sect.
How so? What exactly is stopping them? Be specific. Once again, total nonsense you just made up out of thin air.
Or are you now claiming immigration restrictions are meant to discriminate against Hindu and Buddhist missionaries? Ridiculous, American immigration laws have nothing to do with religion.
Again the local cultures are different. In India there is a strong tradition of welcoming guests and treating them well. Strangers are readily taken into homes. These gullible people need protection. In contrast in the Western World people take care of themselves. There in lies the difference.
So you are claiming that many Indians are too stupid for freedom and its responsibilies? How condescending.
By the way if anybody is denying free speech it is the Indian Catholics. Did you see the demonstrations to ban the movie - The Da Vinci Code!!!! The Indian Government almost succumbed to it. If anything the hindus go out of their way to appease foreign people and religions.
And thankfully the Indian gov't did not give in. I think the movie is blasphemous, but don't agree with banning. Nowhere in the American south is the movie banned, though some might pressure theater owners not to show it. But no laws against religious(or irrelegious expression.) The US and state governments wouldn't consider banning the movie, though they might put age appropriate ratings restrictions based on content. So once again, India gov't considered restricting religious freedom in a way the US would never do. Thanks for making my point. Do you not understand the difference between speaking out/protesting and legal restrictions?
"India gov't" should be "some governmental units within India"
to distinguish national from local political parties' policies
That the Pope had an agenda as regarding Evangelizing India is a widely know fact in India regardless of this particular article. He has no business trying to meddle in India's affairs.
"Strangers are readily taken into homes. These gullible people need protection."
Protection from what?
"Show me something, ANYTHING stating proof that the Catholic Church backs any sort of Christian terrorist activities please. Either that, or drop the slander."
Check post #111 and #166.
Hmmm.... so you're giving me sources either of Indian or Hindu origin, hardly unbiased I'd say; or sources mentioning Baptists. Baptists are NOT Catholic.
I didnt know BBC is Hindu. You expected only Christian sources?
"Baptists are NOT Catholic."
You wanted to know about "Christian terrorist activities". Try not to hide behind the Baptist-Catholic excuse.
Whether or not Catholics are into terrorist activities, dont expect secular India to enact laws that would exempt one sect while it will curb the activities of the other.
Well said!
Of course he wants to evangelize India. Widely known fact? I'd think it would be a universally known fact. It's required. It's a commandment of Jesus Christ.
"He has no business trying to meddle in India's affairs."
Oh, to the contrary. He has a great deal of interest in --- let's not say "meddling" --- trying to influence Indias's affairs, especially as they touch upon religious liberty. There's 17 million Catholics in India, and all of them (like all Christians) are ALSO required to pray and work for the reign of God, the eternal well-being of souls, the spread of the Gospel and the baptism of all nations.
Many of us lack the whole-hearted and generous love which Christ calls for, but it is the mission of every Christian.
So the spread of the Gospel everywhere is precisely the Pope's business. What other business would he have?
That is not in line with what was said earlier. The whole thing about it being illegal if someone converts from listening to a missionary, etc. If simply listening to a missionary causes someone to convert, what business is it of the government?
I WOULD expect secular India to enact lws that would exempt humanitarian and educational activity, while curbing violence and fraud. Would that be OK with you?
With all due respect, do not accuse me of hiding behind anything. I asked you specifically for CATHOLIC support for terrorists. Baptists are NOT Catholic therefore, they do not listen to the Pope.
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