ARTICLES

Many of us admit that our response, as Christians, to the current socio-political situation is woefully inadequate. We owe it not only to ourselves, but to our Indian Nation that we consciously take the “good news” to all. At present it would appear that not only do we refrain from consciously promoting Christ’s message, but we are standing aside and allowing it to be smothered. Whether this stems from our lethargy, complacency or fear, the long term fallout for the community could be disastrous.

A few suggestions follow. These may accepted, rejected or modified as thought fit. Please add more of your own. These are just the bare bones. There is much by way of background and analysis to be said on each issue.

I think it is very important that true “Christ”ian Love for all our Indian sisters and brothers should be the starting point, and this should shine through in all we do by way of Christian Response. Many Indians have genuine misconceptions about Christianity and about our motivations. Love and Prayer can erase these. Love and Prayer are the greatest forces. We have both in our armoury.

I A long hard Look at Image

History abounds in lessons of how much depends on “Image” and how image changes / can be changed / projected / distorted / restored… Think back to the pre-Independence image of Christian Priests and nuns and of lay Christians in India and compare it to the present-day image.

Christians would do well to:

1. Recognize how non-Christian Indians perceive us.

2. Work on our attitudes, behaviour and skills to create a positive image

3. Deal with external factors affecting our image as Christians.

I-1. Could we find out, preferably with professional research, what the image of a Christian is in the eyes of a non-Christian Indian. This will vary from State to State and from Metro to Metro, and also differ according to levels of education, and socio-economic status. Nevertheless, some perceptions that are common across the board may emerge. We then need a focused effort to correct the negatives perceived in the composite of this Christian image.

I-2. Christians themselves must absolutely stop characterizing the community as flawed. Often heard: We Christians are like crabs in a bucket / lack unity / do not help each other / are lazy / fond of drinking / have low ambitions etc. All of us have examples to the contrary. Let us publicize these.

I-3. To gain respect, let us give respect. Could we Christians in India acquire basic knowledge of the messages of the Vedas, Puranas, the Epics, the Koran, the Granth Sahib. We could then underscore the commonality of principles in these Scriptures and in the Gospels. A simple, easy-to-read pamphlet / flyer could be composed, presenting the similarity of thoughts and principles of the different faiths in India. Copies of these could be made available in all Christian Institutions. While we keep our Faith, let us demonstrate that we respect the faiths of others and their religious persons.

I-4. A Statement could be composed and framed prominently in every Christian Institution, so that it catches the attention of all who enter. This could be developed along the lines: “This is a Christian Institution. These are our Values: … … … We work for …………” A footnote could present: Brief milestones of Christianity in India / Prominent Christian scholars, leaders. Social workers / Statistics of Christian charitable works.

I-5. Meditation is universally revered as perhaps the most exalted practice for those seeking spiritual growth. Hindu and Buddhist forms of Meditation seduced many Christians the world over to those faiths. Let Indians know that the Church has a rich tradition of the deepest form of Mediation going back to Apostolic times.

I-6. Though it is very late in the day, let us wake up to the immense damage done to the community in Indian Films. Many portray a false stereotype of the Christian loose woman, and drinking man. A list to be compiled of all such films, however old, and the matter to be taken up with the Censor Board and other Authorities, pointing out that these hurt religious sentiments and have harmed the community. Even in ‘old’ films, the offending scenes can be omitted, dialogue changed or visuals digitally altered. If necessary, have recourse to legal action.

I-7. False statements and misrepresentations made about Christians and the Christian Faith in the Media to be rebutted. Rabid / anti-Christian remarks of politicians / important personalities to be challenged by writing to the person concerned.

II What it is to be Christian

II-1. As Christians could we recall that to be a Christian meant being prepared to shed one’s blood for the faith? We need to shake off the mentality of comfort in our safe cocoons, and be willing to confront fear.

II-2. A prayer could be formulated to be said after every mass offered throughout the country, for UNITY, Peace, Goodwill and Prosperity to be ushered into India … that the acts of all India’s political leaders and bureaucrats be governed by the best interests of the country. Remember the Prayer for the conversion of Russia?

II-3. An ethos to be established to fulfill the prayer, “That They All may be One”. To start by identifying ourselves as “Christians” and with all Christians, rather than using nomenclatures that distinguish and divide us. Let us show solidarity with all Christians of any denomination who have been victimized. The tag “Roman” preceding “Catholic” does give the (wrong) impression to many that we owe secular allegiance to foreign powers. At the same time, we should make it clear to others that we do not subscribe to aggressive forms of proselytization.

III The “Conversion” myth

A glance at all-India census figures will reveal that we have failed miserably, in the 2000 years of Christianity in India, to take the Good News to every creature. The irony is, a pernicious falsehood that the sole aim of all Christian good works is to “convert” others, has gained widespread currency. This perception irks many, even educated non-Christian Indians who swallow the maliciously propagated myth, in spite of facts and figures to the contrary. Hence we have lost much goodwill for selfless social uplift initiatives.

III-1. To explode the “Conversions” myth, a serious effort could be undertaken to collect data from all Christian Institutions, especially Educational and Health, regarding the numbers who have passed through these Institutions. What percentage of these were converted to Christianity? If the number is small it is proof that the agenda of Christian Institutions is not “Conversion” (or that Christians have been singularly ineffective in getting conversions, and so are not to be feared)

III-2. The “conversion” issue to be brought into the open with Census facts and figures and reference to historical events such as Dr. Ambedkar’s offer to bring in the masses to Christianity …

III-3. We should enter into a dialogue with groups and sects that follow a pattern of aggressive intrusion and propagation of the message of Christianity, and also make it clear to the common man that we are totally against any form of coercion in matters of following faith.

III-4. A list of non-Christian alumni of Christian institutions, who have achieved some prominence to be drawn up. A documentary could be made examining the question whether they experienced any pressure to “convert” or how many if any in their batch was converted.

IV The Persecution Scenario

By and large, we who are not directly affected by persecution and violence – AS YET – have turned a blind eye to such occurrences . These are becoming more frequent, more widespread and are more daringly orchestrated. What is required to jerk us out of our complacency, and make us identify with the Church Suffering?

IV-1. A cycle of Prayer and Adoration could be organized from 0600 to 2200 hours daily in Christian institutions for the victims (of all faiths) and also for the perpetrators of communal violence and discrimination. Prayer ‘slots’ to be assigned to different institutions / communities across the country. In religious communities this can be implemented more readily.

IV-2. The list of all communal atrocities committed in India whether against Christians, Muslims or Hindus to be drawn up. A fund to be collected to place stark advertisements in the secular press (mainline papers) on the Anniversary of each atrocity against Christians, to commemorate the event. A format could be designed for such display ads

IV-3. Publicity and repeated publicity in articles, perhaps also in films to be given to the heroic forgiveness of the perpetrators of violence by the Christian victims.

IV-4. Solidarity of all Christians with the victims of violence to be expressed throughout India in some way to be decided – wearing a black ribbon, keeping a minute’s silence, a signature campaign… In more blatant or prolonged violence, or when Authorities refuse to act, an all-India call to be given for a token close down, even for 10 minutes at a fixed time, of all Christian Institutions throughout the country. This should be widely be publicized in the media and also abroad.

IV-5. A monthly follow-up could be done on status of investigation or prosecution by Authorities, against perpetrators of atrocities – on the lines of status of crime-investigation progress published by some newspapers.

IV-6. Campaigns of Letters to the Editors could be undertaken to protest against religious intolerance and violence. Inmates of seminaries and convents could also write letters. These could be sent to various national and international publications.

IV-7. Statements of Indian leaders abroad could be noted and regular periodic follow up undertaken. For example, could Vatican have been persuaded to write to the PM (Vajpayee) regarding his promise to the Pope on the occasion of his visit, that justice would be done … ditto statements made by the Deputy PM in the UK.

IV-8. Use of RTI for data on foreign funding of Agencies with hate agenda and track record of violence. The foreign donors and foreign authorities to be made aware about usage of the funds for anti-people purposes. Volume of funds received by Christian institutions and non-Christian organizations from abroad to be compared and publicized.

IV-9. We could learn to use the Net more effectively to highlight issues and garner support on behalf of the persecuted.

V Leveraging our contribution to the nation

We all know what a prized tag a “convent education” is. Christians could well claim to be the Educators of the Nation. Though one of the most miniscule segments (less than 2 per cent) of the Country, we have run a large proportion of charitable works (40 per cent). It’s time to Leverage our Contribution.

V-1. Parents seeking admission for their children to Christian educational Institutions to be given a simple “Manifesto” which states clearly : These are the Christian Values according to which our Institutions are run and these are taught in our Institutions: … … … … … … … …

Do you subscribe to these Values, and will you uphold them? Parents should be required to sign this as a form of assent.

V-2. Lists to be compiled of those making statements attacking or derogatory to our institutions, who sought admission for their children and relatives in Christian Institutions in India and abroad. For this purpose, even if the administration of the Institute is mainly by Christians, it should be included. Suitable publicity to be given to this fact.

V-3. We could call on distinguished alumni of our institutions to voice their opinions and feelings when issues of justice and religious freedom are at stake.

V-4.The Church is a rich repository of talent and Christians have been at the forefront of education. Valuable research has been done by Christian Scholars Could this be channeled into creating a databank to be made available to all Christians in order to speak up and write to the press. These topics could cover:

a) Contributions of Christians to Indian Culture, Language, etc.

b) History of Christianity in India dating back 2000 years

c) Eminent rulers of India – Ashoka, Akbar etc. and their enlightened policies regarding different faiths

d) Strategy of political parties and their offshoots – the economic underpinnings. Too often Christian initiatives to empower the underprivileged has irked those who were exploiting them and the bogey of “conversion” was raised.

e) True perspectives on the Works and Lives of Gandhiji, Vivekanda, Aurobindo etc. who are often quoted piecemeal and out of context in the press, to show that they were anti-Christian, whereas they admired and borrowed much from Christianity.

f) Data to show that the concept of “seva” or institutions to help the marginalised of all castes and creeds was totally absent from other faiths, and was copied by others from Christian practice just about a century ago.

ABOVE ALL LET US WORK IN LOVE AND FAITH

Added in August 2008: During a recent visit to Malaysia we were pleasantly surprised to find, at a historical display, an entire panel on the educational work of a catholic nun. This triggered the thought: What about a National Christian Museum showcasing the Work and Contributions of Christians to the Indian Nation? An offshoot could be: Replica Museums in metros and Travelling Museums for semi-urban and rural areas.