Posted on 07/30/2006 12:56:25 AM PDT by vimto
JULIA and Richard do not look like fugitives but they could be jailed under new Indian laws to stop missionaries converting low-caste Hindus to Christianity without a magistrate’s approval. A well educated British couple with young children, they left London two years ago to teach missionary work in some of India’s poorest states, such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Orissa.
Last week Madhya Pradesh became the latest state to pass an anti-religious conversion bill that could leave Christian missionaries open to criminal charges. Leaders of India’s 26m Christians say the bill is an attempt to intimidate and persecute them, while increasing votes for the Hindu nationalist BJP party. Under its provisions missionaries and their converts face up to three years in jail if they do not notify a magistrate of their intentions.
Christian leaders also fear the initiative will encourage attacks against them. India’s National Commission for Minorities has voiced concern about incidents in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in which orphanages and schools have been targeted.
Last month police in Madhya Pradesh raided a Bible study group and arrested worshippers after complaints that they were converting Hindus. Nuns have been raped and several priests have been murdered in the past seven years. Last year 11 members of a Hindu mob that burnt an Australian missionary and his two young sons to death as they slept had their convictions overturned.
Hindu fundamentalists claim missionaries, mostly American and South Korean, prey on the ignorance of lower castes and persuade them to turn against their culture. The missionaries say they provide education and healthcare and teach the Bible to untouchables whose own religion treats them as outcasts.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
we need to ban all religions except Christianity and see how they and the Muzzies like it
Mmmm.... I know where you are coming from .... but these are Hindu's.
Hindu's seem to have the potential to be violent against other religions in their own territories, In the UK they are gernerally fine people. What I mean is that this is localized and nothing like a Jihad,
Never the less it's seriously rough on those caught up in it,
bttt
God bless these brave, courageous, noble warriors of Christ. Let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
Amen!
A pet hobby horse?
Hi Welcome to Free Republic. Now scram TROLL.
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Pray for these servants of Christ who are obeying God and shining the light of Christ to those who are living in darkness.
These missionaries may be the only chance some in India get to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. May God keep His hand of protection on them, and whatever happens, may His will be done.
I also find the mention of South Korean missionaries interesting. Christianity isn't going to be Eurocentric anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if the next Pope is African or Asian.
I'll keep pulling for the "Hindu Fundamentalists" and the BJP.
I would imagine most of the S Korean missionaries are protestant.
This just shows that the self-proclaimed "largest
democracy in the world" is a sham.
Tip over the local applecart and expect to get pinched.
What these folks are doing is no less than trying to change a system that has been embedded in / is the local society for many generations.
When you try to change the local power system, expect to get hurt. Badly.
bump
I am fully in favour of the anti-conversion laws. The sooner they come the better. We have had enough of this conversion scam.
Cool off on your hyperbole dude. You dont know jack about India yet.
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