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Hindu fundamentalists injure Christians during screening of ‘The Passion of the Christ’
Asia News ^ | March 31, 2005 | Asia News

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 Gibson’s 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In Tamil Nadu the anti-conversion bill has been withdrawn after a prolonged campaign by opponents.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 D’Souza, 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 D’Souza 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.

Maharashtra’s Chief Minister had already publicly stated that such a law was not necessary. (NC-LF)


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bjp; christianpersecution; christians; hindus; india; passion; rss; thepassion
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To: CarrotAndStick

Thanks for the link


81 posted on 04/02/2005 6:05:46 PM PST by desidude_in_us (US, India & Israel are natural allies)
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To: desidude_in_us

Nope,some resources put the Hindu: minority ratio at close to 55:45,others at around 60:40.That being said,Id shave off around 4% of Christians & 10% of Hindus from either list given the highly visible presence of "rationalism" in Kerala!!!


82 posted on 04/02/2005 11:23:39 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
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To: desidude_in_us
(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 ? ;)

Good observation. You must recognize for a fact that the US was built historically on lots of racist dogma, and its population was indoctrinated with racism from childhood. As the Europeans came to this land, they were eager to fight the natives and convert them to Christianity. Then they imported the blacks from Africa to the dirty work. Racism as an integral part of the US consciousness did not become a politically incorrect until the sixties. It is going to take a long time to expunge out all remnant of racism from the new generation of Americans.

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.

I have limited interaction with Indians, but I observed when the India Pakistan conflict flared up last year, the name of the Indian defense mister was mentioned to be George Fernandez (obviously a Christian name)or something like that. That tells me a volume about the secular, and tolerance of the Indian society. Pakistan does not have a Christian in high cabinet post, so are MOST of the Muslim nations. Egypt for example, with 10% Christians has less than 1% in high government posts. I want to guess India does not have 10% Christians. The US has 10 % Blacks, 12% Hispanics, 2% Jewish, and illustrates how tolerant secular countries should be. In the US more than 10% of its big cities are governed by black mayors. The cabinet and high ranking positions in the government has more than 2% Jewish, 10% blacks. The Latinos, however, need more organization to attain same parity with other minorities in the US.

83 posted on 04/03/2005 10:47:52 AM PDT by conservlib
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To: wesley_windam-price

Mel Gibson for Governor!


84 posted on 04/03/2005 10:49:07 AM PDT by mowkeka
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To: conservlib

.... the name of the Indian defense mister was mentioned to be George Fernandez (obviously a Christian name)or something like that

And you know what ? He was appointed to that post by a Hindu Right wing Government.. and he gets elected from a province where almost 80% of voters are Hindu.

85 posted on 04/03/2005 11:48:32 AM PDT by desidude_in_us (US, India & Israel are natural allies)
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To: mowkeka
I love the tag line in your profile :)

Its a rip off of what some leftist guy said :

"If you arent a communist at 16, you have no heart and a socialist at 60, no soul.."

86 posted on 04/03/2005 11:53:02 AM PDT by desidude_in_us (US, India & Israel are natural allies)
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To: conservlib

Well it's a proven fact that it is more difficult to integrate races than it is to integrate different social groups(like castes or religions who are essentially of the same racial stock).It's been visible everywhere-the US,Africa,South America.I really don't think it has anything to do with a racist dogma in the American psyche.For eg,even if every black,white & whoever else was very openminded & educated,it would be a big ask to expect them all to go hand in hand.

About George Fernandes,well he studied to be a priest till the 60s or so,but then became a socialist.Id be surprised if he believes in God!!.If you look at the percentage of Christians(2.5%) & Sikhs(about 2 percent) in India's total population & tally it with their respective numbers in the armed forces & government & other high positions,you would notice that they occupy far more positions when compared to other religions,even Hinduism.For eg,atleast 4 of India's navy chiefs were Christians & so were a handful of army & air chiefs.About Pakistan,well why bother about Christians,when a Shiite is treated like trash.Even Mohajirs(those Pakistans who came from India after partition) are treated were shabbily.The only exception to this is probably Musharraf himself,a Mohajjir from Delhi & you can thank the Pakistani army for it.In Pakistan all positions are monopolised by the Sunni Punjabis.


87 posted on 04/03/2005 11:54:10 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki
I love the details in your post. Thanks for the info. I think lots of Americans are not too familiar with India because during the cold war it was non allied, hence, Washington did not consider it a good friend. After 9/11, I am hoping that most of the American public will consider India as a close friend, they are our ally against Muslim terrorism.
88 posted on 04/03/2005 5:16:13 PM PDT by conservlib
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To: desidude_in_us
US, India & Israel are natural allies

Thanks, India is definitely a secular democracy.

89 posted on 04/03/2005 5:18:35 PM PDT by conservlib
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To: conservlib

US, India & Israel are natural allies

Thanks, India is definitely a secular democracy

Thanks, and my experience tells me that US is mostly a tolerant country too.

90 posted on 04/03/2005 10:35:09 PM PDT by desidude_in_us (US, India & Israel are natural allies)
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To: Grn_Lantern
Anyone else starting to think we need Christian paramilitary wings? I mean, everyone else seems to have them. (/sarcasm off)

We had them. They were called Crusaders.

91 posted on 04/03/2005 10:37:58 PM PDT by murphE (This morning, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, condescended to dwell within me.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki
... atleast 4 of India's navy chiefs were Christians & so were a handful of army & air chiefs.

About Pakistan,well why bother about Christians,when a Shiite is treated like trash.

Yeah, but we have chosen to be a secular democracy unlike them.. they wanted to be a religious state.

And of course, growing up in such stifling bigoted environment, might induce fanatical tendencies in them.

92 posted on 04/03/2005 10:56:03 PM PDT by desidude_in_us (US, India & Israel are natural allies)
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To: starfish923
In Hinduism women have even a lower status. To be finally SAVED one must be male.

You'd best inform Ramakrishna's followers, then. One of India's greatest saints, (probably in rank with Ramana Maharshi) and HE worshipped the Mother. She has many names and vast numbers of Hindus worship her.

93 posted on 04/03/2005 10:59:07 PM PDT by ARridgerunner
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To: conservlib

Wow. It sounds like your dear friend has an odd preacher who is twisting the scripture terribly --- plus, the whole worshipping "Jehovah" bit sounds like she may be a Jehovah's witness, not a Bible-believing Christian (not necessarily, but it's an odd word choice).

Re: "Saved by Grace." Your friend is twisting a standard Christian belief. Your friend is correct that anyone who accepts Jesus as the Christ and basically asks to be forgiven is saved by that act. It's a free gift, essentially, and one must merely accept it. The recipient does nothing but acknowledge the gift. Hence, one is saved by "grace," rather than their own actions. (The "grace" language is from Paul --- used to explain why the Law is not needed to be with God.)

In sum, it is short-hand to state that no matter how hard we try, we cannot reach the level of sinlessness exemplified by Jesus, so going to Heaven is a gift.

But the whole concept that one is "better" than others because of this grace is flat-ass wrong. Being saved by grace is an acknowledgement of failure --- one cannot cut it without Jesus's help. I acknowledge that, myself.

Now, I do believe that accepting Jesus as my boss --- and trying to do what He said (and what I believe the Holy Spirit leads me to do) --- does make a person change --- eventually. (James --- half-brother of Jesus --- talks about how faith without works is dead.) In short, to me, because of this "free gift," my heart has been changed and I WANT to do what God wants me to do. Now, I don't succeed 95% of the time, but I am getting better --- with God's help.

The "born again" part is also technically correct -- but spun. I was taught this even in the Episcopal Church, which is hardly holy-roller. "Baptism" literally is accepting and joining Christ in death and being born --- this time without original sin --- as a new creation. Now, we proceed then to screw this new creation up to, but now we have help and a new boss --- and He promises to help us.

I agree the greater Christian church should not sweat the details of worship ---- Paul taked about just that in Romans (the issues there was circumcision) --- what mattered --- when it came down to the core --- was just what you said --- accepting Jesus.

If your friend read that point, she'd be a lot less judgmental about Roman Catholics. Sounds like she needs to spend some more time READING the Bible and less time THUMPING the Bible.


94 posted on 04/04/2005 6:41:31 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan
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To: desidude_in_us

"Do you think I'm gonna burn in hell because I dont belong to your faith ? :("

Well, I hope not. It would be awful and unfair. And opinions can differ. But I do know an absolute, 100%, certain way making sure that you won't burn.


95 posted on 04/04/2005 6:46:05 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan
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To: MeanWestTexan
Re: "Saved by Grace." Your friend is twisting a standard Christian belief. Your friend is correct that anyone who accepts Jesus as the Christ and basically asks to be forgiven is saved by that act. It's a free gift, essentially, and one must merely accept it. The recipient does nothing but acknowledge the gift. Hence, one is saved by "grace," rather than their own actions. (The "grace" language is from Paul --- used to explain why the Law is not needed to be with God.)

Now Jesus broke bread and said take eat this my body. He gave them wine to drink, saying this is my blood. Then he said do that in memory of me. All the evangelicals type rather not even mention this part of the bible, and focus on a few code words "accept Jesus as your personal savior"! That stuff does not make any sense as far as being a focus. All Christians, by definition "accept Jesus". Now as personal savior, is a different story. It is like asking sitting in a restaurant and claiming that this waiter is YOUR PERSONAL waiter. It is stupid. The waiter is waiting on a lot of people, and you are one. The same thing with Jesus, he came to save us all, and I am ONLY one. If he came to save me ONLY, and to hell with the rest of mankind, than I will accept that nonsensical term my PERSONAL savior.

The Catholic church had lots of excesses in the old days, and invited these protestant movement. However, the different sects of protestants now have lost focus on the real Christianity: that is love, and living life as Christ did, forgiving, and helping others.

96 posted on 04/04/2005 8:15:54 AM PDT by conservlib
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To: wesley_windam-price

Distressing news.


97 posted on 04/04/2005 8:17:36 AM PDT by Ciexyz (Let us always remember, the Lord is in control.)
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To: conservlib

"[Recounting the Last Supper.] All the evangelicals type rather not even mention this part of the bible, and focus on a few code words "accept Jesus as your personal savior"! That stuff does not make any sense as far as being a focus . . "

?? "All" is a pretty big brush. Every (just as big a brush, I suppose) Bible Church I've ever seen take communion in remembrance of Christ, just as instructed.

The "personal savior" is also from Paul, and from Christ Himself, especially later in John --- talking about how we have the Holy Spirit as our "counselor."

It sounds like the "fundies" you are exposed to don't know their Bibles --- they're just wackos.

Don't judge all fundamentalists by them --- or by the loons one sees on TV.


98 posted on 04/04/2005 8:41:39 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan
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To: MeanWestTexan
Well, I hope not. It would be awful and unfair. And opinions can differ. But I do know an absolute, 100%, certain way making sure that you won't burn.

Thanks for the offer, but no thanks :) Living in a small town in TX, I do find many people who are hell bent on showing me "the true way", mostly due to their good nature.

But like most technical people, am more interested in doing my own research and finding out the truth or not succumbing to pressures from religious people who want me to commit my rational thought to the whims of blind faith.

The good thing about Hinduism is, it is more friendly to scientists and technical people as such.. for eg, people who attain salvation can be (among many other paths) :

Gnana Yogis (knowledge and truth seekers)

Karma Yogis (conscientious workers)

Bhakta Yogis (spiritual disciplined folks)

So, I'm good, even though am not particularly religious.

99 posted on 04/04/2005 10:32:31 AM PDT by desidude_in_us (You live and learn. Or you don't live long.)
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To: desidude_in_us

"Thanks for the offer, but no thanks."

Above all, the God of Abraham gives us free will.

I am quite confident that you are a good person.

For that reason, if you don't mind, I would still like to pray for you.


100 posted on 04/04/2005 12:19:00 PM PDT by MeanWestTexan
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