Do the Christians Feel for India ? Looking to Rome will not do

A question that is going around in the minds of many people is whither Christianity? here is a faith that has extra territorial loyalties and yet they claim all the rights as Indians. I am talking basically of the Roman Catholics and not other sects like the Protestants. The Catholics have never immersed themselves fully in Indian culture and it is a matter of fact that their missionaries slander Hindu gods   and claim that the only way to salvation is Jesus Christ. I had a friend , I will not name me here and this man who was a priest started every conversation by condemning the RSS as anti - Indian. I could die laughing on a bed of nails at the type of arguments put forward by my friend.                                                                                    

Christianity came to India during the time of the Mughal emperor Akbar. they had their best time when the British ruled India. The missionaries during the days of British rule spread out in the hinterland and tribal areas and made strenuous attempts to convert the people , but they failed. In two centuries of state supported conversion, they could only convert 2% of the Indian population, despite inducements of money and gifts.    

The Christians not used to any discussion and opposition to the spread of their faith by inducements or otherwise have now cried foul at some sporadic incidents, which by themselves have been minor ones. An example is a stone thrown at a church in Panvel and another in Haryana.     The Catholic community has blown these minor incidents as an attempt to attack catholics.  They are citing the case of  the   rape of the Nun in Bengal as an example. Unfortunately this particular crime is a law and order case and rapes are taking place all over India and not limited to Catholics, but Catholics would have us believe that this rape is an example of discrimination against catholics. 

I am afraid the Catholics do not know what persecution is or was in India when the Moslem invaders destroyed thousands of temples and executed hundreds of priests. Used to a protected life and looking for support from Rome, the Catholics feel that     a stone or two thrown by a miscreant is 'persecution'.

One lady who came as a missionary and has publicly stated that her aim was to convert the people to the Catholic faith Mother Teresa  is a perfect example. Poverty was not her concern and all she did was to spread the gospel. 

Its about time the Catholics realized that they cant have the bread and butter as well. They can't look to Rome and have suspect loyalty to India   . They can't denigrate Hindu gods and claim that their faith is the best. I hope they see reason and live their life. One should be clear that with 200 years of British rule the catholics failed to carry out mass conversion, and ended up converting only a few shudras or lower castes; they are not likely to succeed now. So live and let live.                                                                                  

The Catholic Faith in India

Catholic means pure, but it in practice rigidity is the theme of this belief

Catholic church at udipi karnataka

Religion by its very nature is rigid.Perhaps if it was not rigid, then it will not be able to hold on to its bands of followers. But certain religions are pragmatic and incorporate the latest beliefs with the view to make the religion more user friendly. This is essential as the 21st century is on us and we cannot live in an insular world. Some religions however do not change and continue beliefs and practices that are anathema to the modern world.

In this context the Catholic religion is worth a look. What I refer to is the religion as practiced in India. Firstly it must be understood that 98% of all Catholics in India are converts from the local religions ( mostly Hindus). Secondly most of the converts to the Catholic faith are from the lower castes of the Hindu social structure. Thus a travel across the length and breadth of India will show that a majority of the converts to Catholicism are the shudras or untouchables. They left their religion in the hope of a better life, but I am afraid that has not materialized. Despite billions of dollars of aid as charity flowing in to India from the Catholic world, the lot of these people has not improved. Thus a vast majority of drivers, maid servants and such workers are Catholics. Particularly in South India , where the difference  between the rich and poor is greatly accentuated.

To hold on to this new flock and ensure that they do not go back to their parent faith, Indian catholics are more rigid than their western co religionists. They try and forge a seperate identity and look to Rome and the Pope for salvation. There is very little Indianness in this. Again it is not uncommon to offer inducements to poor people and tribals to convert to the new faith. Jesus did say to Spread the Gospel, but I am sure he did not mean to spread it with inducements and money.

The Catholics in India thus are a distinct group. They will shun intermarriage, have separate churches and rituals that are enforced by a clergy that is itself perhaps not sure of what is expected of it. The catholic faith is good so long as one believes in it and does not make the spread of the Gospel by inducements and money a prime consideration. Also very little debate is allowed and the catholics in India have remained where they are. Hence their demand for economic reservation on par with the scheduled castes.

Jesus left behind a great faith, but the Catholic faith in India certainly needs a breath of fresh air. They need to integrate with India and think of India as their home and not to the people in Europe  for guidance.