Author: V Sundaram
Publication: News Today
Date: July 14, 2006
URL: http://www.newstodaynet.com/2006sud/06jul/1407ss1.htm
The first glimpse of the Jesus of the Gospels
came to me when I joined as Sub Collector in Pollachi in the erstwhile unbifurcated
Coimbatore District of Tamilnadu in 1967. I had gone to a remote village incognito
for a confidential inquiry. An enthusiastic and young Christian Pastor tried
to convert me and failed in the attempt. Vaguely I remember that the following
type of dialogue took place between us:
Pastor: You believe that Jesus was an Avatar
or incarnation?
Myself: Yes, I do.
Pastor: Can an Avatar tell a lie?
Myself: He is not supposed to.
Pastor: What if Jesus says he is the only
God.
Myself: He can't say that.
My Pastor friend immediately picked up a copy
of the New Testament and read out several passages from the Gospels. He tried
to convince me that Jesus did say in so many words not only that he was the
only God, but also that those who did not accept his claim would burn for
ever in the infernal pit. In a flash I realised with painful surprise that
Jesus was not all 'Sermon on the Mount' as I had been led to believe by his
Hindu votaries including Mahatma Gandhi.
Hindus of India are committing a grave mistake
in regarding the encounter between Hinduism and Christianity as a dialogue
between two religions. Christianity has never been a religion; its long history
tells us that it has always been a predatory imperialism 'par excellence'.
The encounter, therefore, should be viewed as a battle between two totally
opposed and mutually exclusive ways of thought and behaviour. In the language
of the Bhagavat Gita (Chapter XVI) it is war between Daivi (Divine) and Asuri
Sampads (demonic propensities). In the mundane context of history, it can
be described as war between the Vedic and the Biblical traditions.
I have often been bewildered by the fact as
to why we Hindus have always remained preoccupied with the behaviour patterns
of Muslims and Christians and not with the belief systems which create those
behaviour patterns. We object to Christian Missions, but refuse to discuss
Christianity and its God, Jesus. We object to Islamic terrorism, but refuse
to have a look at Islam and its Prophet, Mohammed. I see no sense or logic
in this Hindu spirit. We appeal to the Christian Missionaries in the name
of Jesus and ask them not to do what they have been doing. We appeal to the
Muslims in the name of Mohammed and ask them to stop doing what they have
been doing. In this process, we have invented a 'real' Jesus and a 'true'
Christianity. We have also invented a 'real' Mohammed and a 'true' Islam.
The Missionary smiles and the Mullah also smiles at our invention; both the
Missionary and the Mullah go ahead with their work of conversion, making good
use of our soft-headedness.
Last month I had written an article on State-abetted,
State-aided, State-sponsored and State-sustained evangelism on stilts in Andhra
Pradesh, particularly in the Temple Town of Tirupati. I had gone to the extent
of stating that the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Y. Samuel Rajasekara
Reddy, who is himself a Seventh Day Adventist, is playing the role of a Christian
crusader of the 12th century. Apart from the reports relating to threats of
terrorist attacks, the Lord Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala, synonymous with
Hindu Religion is under threat from some powerful insidious international
forces. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh is playing the role that was
played by Mohammed of Gazini in Somnath in Gujarat in the first quarter of
the 11th century! The other forces are represented by the monotheistic faiths
of global Christianity and global Islam. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister
is taking advantage of the overarching super umbrella of global Roman Catholicism
hanging over the effete UPA Government. In short, Tirumala Hills and Lord
Venkateswara are under the siege of Andhra Pradesh Government under the Generalissimo
of Dr. Y. Samuel Rajasekara Reddy who is waging a missionary war against the
pagan Gods of Heathenish Hinduism.
In this context I cannot help quoting the
precise and sharp words of Sita Ram Goel: 'It is high time for Hindus to dismiss
the dogma of Christianity with the contempt it deserves and pay attention
to the Christian Missionary apparatus planted in their midst. The sole aim
of this missionary apparatus is to ruin Hindu society and culture and take
over the Hindu Homeland. It goes on devising strategies for every situation,
favourable and unfavourable. It trains and employs a large number of intellectual
criminals ready to prostitute their talents in the service of their pay masters,
and adept at dressing up dark designs in a high-sounding language.'
What is happening in Andhra Pradesh should
not be viewed as an isolated incident or a localised phenomenon in a particular
State. I have received terrible news from Kerala that evangelical money power
is being used to import some young men and women from the United States for
purposes of proselytism in the southern districts of Tamilnadu and Kerala.
This is how the authorities of a Christian missionary organisation called
the 'Adventures in Mission' explain themselves and their fantastic trips to
India. They call for young practising Christians between the age of 15-20
and who have been Christians for at least six months to join them on this
trip. Their training camps for conversions take place in Atlanta in USA. Their
aim is to take advantage of the natural disasters area in and around Tenkasi
in Tirunelveli District in Tamilnadu. They bring in groups of conversion activists
and make them preach to the poor people of this area. They warn the participants
not to be taken in by the Christians of that area because they are only Christians
by name and they still follow the pagan Hindu culture. They say the groups'
aim is to create a body of true Christians 'who will forsake the dominant
pagan Hindu culture of India forever'.
Even before they set out for India, a very
clear message is given to the trainees (Harvesters of Souls) as follows: 'You
will fly into Trivandrum on the southern tip of Kerala. After a city tour
you will be taken to Tenkasi in Tamilnadu. You will be stationed here. Be
ready for hard floors on which you will be sleeping in local schools and orphanages.
Local food will be served which is very spicy. Modesty is required; you cannot
wear tank tops or sleeveless clothes. You need to go for a training camp before
you are ready for this adventurous trip. You need to get visit visas and a
whole lot of vaccinations before you come to this contaminated area. The cost
is a mere 4000USD. The results will be a great service to the Christian world
as you will be HARVESTING SOULS. It will be a soul fulfilling Christian adventure
of Christian faith in Heathen Lands for bringing 'sons of the devil' into
the fold of Angelic Christianity.'
Haindava Keralam is a new voluntary organization
which has been recently established to protect the interests of Hindu society,
Hindu culture and Hindu religion against the onslaught of Christian missionaries
and Muslim Mullahs in Kerala. Haindava Keralam has requested all its supporters
in US to warn the Indian Embassy in Washington of the anti-national activities
of 'Adventures in Mission' and to request the Indian Ambassador in USA to
deny visas for the participants of this group.
Government of India should make it clear that
the visit visa granted by the Government of India is strictly for visiting
our country, admiring the scenic locations and enjoying our culture and tradition.
These visitors must be told that their Visa is not for conversion activities
or any kind of religious propaganda in any part of India. Such activities
are against the law and if this group lands in Kerala or any South Indian
state or elsewhere, a close watch would be kept over their conduct and activities.
The group should be told that stringent action will be taken against them
for all unlawful activities, connected with conversion or proselytism.
One of my Roman Catholic friends often refers
to Harijan coverts as 'POWDER MILK CHRISTIANS', and there is no doubt that
these people the poorest of the poor are attracted by the missionaries' promises
to feed their bodies, rather than the prospect of spiritual nourishment or
spiritual salvation. On the aspect of Christian Missionary subterfuge in India,
Sita Ram Goel in his incisive work, 'CATHOLIC ASHRAMS-SANYASINS OR SWINDLERS',
has clearly brought to light the manner in which this nefarious activity is
being carried out in different parts of India. Since Independence, the 'HARVESTERS'
no longer have the support of the Union Jack. But instead they have the stronger
support of the secular Government of India. In post-independent India, their
methods have changed, but their 'objectives haven't'.
To conclude in the incisively brilliant words
of my Think-Tank friend Capt. Balakrishnan: 'Since the days of the 'RAJ',
missionary efforts to 'HARVEST SOULS' has followed a certain modus operandi:
First, denigrate Hinduism and its Gods. Second, target the poor and illiterate
sections of Hindu society by offering material inducements. Third, resort
to subterfuge on gullible Hindus to 'HARVEST THEIR SOULS' with Christian compassion,
evangelical energy and ecumenical enthusiasm'.
(The writer is a retired IAS officer)
e-mail the writer at vsundaram@newstodaynet.com
