Posted on 04/01/2005 6:36:23 AM PST by wesley_windam-price
Kochi (AsiaNews) A gaggle of Hindu fundamentalists assaulted Christians who were watching a screening of The Passion of the Christ inside the Kanai Church, the oldest church in the state of Kerala (south-western India). One Christian was seriously wounded and scores of others were beaten and injured, including women and children.
The incident occurred on Easter Eve in Chalakud Taluna when 25 militants from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)the paramilitary wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)disrupted the viewing of Mel Gibsons movie and started attacking the spectators, one of whom George Kutty, was seriously hurt. Kanai Church members are followers of Canai Thoma, who reached Kerala from Persia in 425 AD.
Speaking to AsiaNews, John Dayal, president of the All India Catholic Union, said that these anti-Christian attacks are probably designed to discredit the Congress Party which currently rules Kerala. The Chief Minister, Oomen Chandy, is Christian.
Concern is also growing among Christians and the Church in Maharashtra, the most secular Indian state and under a Congress Party administration, where State Home Affairs Minister Sidharam Mhetre presented an anti-conversion law. It follows the main lines of a similar bill already presented in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Should it become law, the bill would, among other things, require anyone changing religion to submit an affidavit to the authorities.
Human rights activists have often said that anti-conversion laws are used by Hindu fundamentalists to persecute non Hindus.
In Tamil Nadu the anti-conversion bill has been withdrawn after a prolonged campaign by opponents.
Dolphy DSouza, president of the Bombay (Mumbai) Catholic Sabha (assembly), said the proposal by Congress-led Maharashtra was shameful.
The Bombay Catholic Sabha is anguished and pained at the response of Mr Sidharam Mhetre, Mr DSouza said.
He added that if the government thinks it can pass a law against the people, we can tell him that we and other organisations shall launch a campaign against the anti-conversion law.
Maharashtras Chief Minister had already publicly stated that such a law was not necessary. (NC-LF)
In a way, yes. But religions come and go. People drop one religion and pick up another that seems more credible. Look at history.
LOL. Excellent.
The word grace, born again, accepting Jesus as "personal" savior, are all like code words for fundamentalists to assert themselves as different from other Christians. For me, a person who calls himself Christian, meaning believing in Jesus Christ is good enough definition for me. If that person go to "confession" or Take "communion", fast forty days before Easter, CONFESS THAT JESUS IS HIS PERSONAL SAVIOR, declare that Jesus came to America to start the later day saints, or goes door to door to ask people to worship JEHOVAH? We are all Christians, and should stay united regardless of the foolish tradition or dogma the religious "LEADERS" attempt to drill in us to make us feel good that we are superiors.
That's right--just a BLIP. The British only left the Indians with a democratic form of government--the only one in that part of the world. And the English common law which the Indian law courts are modeled after. And a top-rate university system, if only for upper-class Indians. And a legacy of the English language for communication in a country with over 300 different languages. And that is why when you call Dell Computer's help desk, you get someone in India on the other end of the line.
Ya, just a BLIP.
Although I agree with your sarcasm, I must point out that democracy in India was not a 'one-way' affair, like the British "handing" it down in a platter. Much more has to do with the indigenous mass movement that began there. The British left because they were terribly weakened to control such a large, politically active society. Otherwise, the British should have left all their colonial possessions of the time, viz., South Africa, Rhodesia, et al at the same time. It was not as if divine virtue made the British leave India. The 'Keep it Real' factor did them in.
And one more thing to remember, about the nature of the people in a country being an important factor in deciding whether democracy can thrive in a society or not, let's look at the example from Asia itself. Pakistan and India share the same heritage, poverty and past. When the British had to leave the region, both declared themselves democracies. However, if the British were so 'responsible' in India's fate as a democracy, then why did Pakistan fail as one, even though they had the same 'overlords', ruling exactly the same way, and for the same period?
Democracy isn't a one-way affair. It is a devolution of power among many people who have the right to disagree, argue, and reach compromises. The American political system is not identical to Turkey, or France, or Japan, but all are democracies. But what they share in common is consensual government.
And one more thing to remember, about the nature of the people in a country being an important factor in deciding whether democracy can thrive in a society or not
All humans share the same nature. Indians don't have a different human nature than the English, the Chinese, or the Swedes. You are confusing culture with human nature.
However, if the British were so 'responsible' in India's fate as a democracy, then why did Pakistan fail as one, even though they had the same 'overlords', ruling exactly the same way, and for the same period?
You might as well ask why after the French Revolution, France went on to be an empire under a dictator named Napolean, later restored the Monarchy, only to go back to being a democracy. What is it now, the fifth Republic? I don't know of any magic incantation that determines how democracy develops in a particular country. The only thing that history tells me that democracies are forged in fire and blood.
I agree. And yes, I misplaced 'nature' for 'culture'.
Thanks. That's a really nice line. And very true too.
You dislike Muslims. You DO realize that there are a billion of them. That's a lot of hate to have in you. Perhaps it makes you comfortable. Do you hate the Muslim women, children and old folks? Do you just hate all the Muslim men over 16 and under, what, 40? 35?
Perhaps your cult of hate can decide who is to be hated and who passes your standards of decency.
You wouldn't be Christian, of course. Your hatred of a people solely because of their religion is very un-Christian, isn't it?
Oh well. No one's perfect. Me included. I shouldn't razz you so; you have enough negativity on your plate already.
Peace be with you, son.
Thank you.
I dont dislike them because of their religion. I dislike them because they kill innocent men, women and children everywhere they go.
Luckily, anti-Christian violence in India is very small compared to, say, (pick any Muslim country).
"Intersting, so do women martyrs get 72 virgins? Where do these virgins come from?"
They get to BE a "black-eyed houri" and serve the men, their viginity is eternally renewed. As a woman. this sounds rather painful, unromantic and unpleasant. I don't want to be a snot, but even in the Old Testament, virgins are given to men who pillage. The sexual fixation on virgins is universal.
"It will, Indians booted out the Hindu 'nationalists' in their last general election. The new government is headed by a Christian and a Sikh, members of India's two religious minorities. And they seem to be doing a good job."
Do these "nationalists" wonder why they aren't being persecuted?
I didn't understand what you asked me.
because Islam saw equality in humans
Except for women, of course.
Don't forget non-muslims.
Are you sure ? I thought muslims and christians "together" constituted a majority in Kerala. Close to 55% that is.
That episode says as much about the religious tolerance of Indian society as would the deaths of 10-12 people who were shot dead in the south western part of USofA, just after 9-11, because they were wearing turbans ;)
Of course, there are fanatics all over the world and Indians are no ultra-saintly people just because they won their independence in a non-violent way and dont seem to engage in wars all the time, unless being compelled to.
But I do agree that the world's largest democracy needs to have a higher standard for judgement of its secular credentials, and I bet its trying hard.. by giving a better representation to its minorities in governing the nation, than any other country on this planet.
(no offense meant but) isnt it a fact that few Americans might endorse a black or a jewish person to rule their country ? Is it because many religious Christians think of non-christians as un-saved "heathens" who will burn in hell ? ;)
From my experience and probably many fellow Indians would attest to this, Indian Hindus get along well with people of most religions, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists. For example, the country wouldnt mind a local born Christian or a Sikh as their prime minister, its not uncommon for Hindus to go to their Christian friends' churches and celebrate Xmas with them, for instance.
Hindus dont have bad notions about christians or their religion as such, though some of them are wary of christian missionaries since they do alter local demographies.. but if you ask me how peer-to-peer relations are between Oridnary Hindus and ordinary church going christian people, they couldnt be better.. Afterall, most Indian born Christians are as patriotic as their Hindu or Sikh brothers and wouldnt flinch to defend their nation, if need be. Many of my Indian christian friends have their brothers or dads in Indian Air force, and they are quite patriotic. Infact, those who came to US to study dont buy Pakistani made rice, just like us (even I tried their rice once or twice, but most of my Indian christian friends never did) ;)
The problem Hindus have with muslims is cultural and also got something to do with the fact that historically, there is too much bad blood between the two faiths..
But you gotta keep this in mind : the concept of India in itself was an attempt to heal those wounds inflicted by historical animosities between Hindus and Muslims.
And even Muslim integration into Indian mainstream has already begun, though many might disagree with me.. afterall, its a fact that none of India's 150 million plus muslims have joined al-qaeda or any anti-American terrorist group (though I bet there are some pockets where Muslims do seem a bit anti-US, but thats nothing compared to how anti-Americanism is entrenched in Pakistani culture).
Overall, India is "alrite" on the tolerance aspect, it could be better, but atleast the mainstream culture doesnt accept fanaticism blindly. There are some right wing fanatics or left wing fanatics but they dont damage credibility of Indian secular character as such ;) atleast not too much.
to Meanwest Texan : Do you think I'm gonna burn in hell because I dont belong to your faith ? :(
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