Religious Conversion - Your views - Page 7

Created

Last reply

Replies

142

Views

15.2k

Users

40

Likes

20

Frequent Posters

pj2012 thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Voyager Thumbnail + 3
Posted: 17 years ago
#61
Hi...I'm new in this forum😃...

I love debating😃...and i found this topic not just interesting but of great relevance in today's time...when people have started taking severe steps against issues like conversions...

Well...according to me,one can't blame them for taking the extreme routes of violence,though it's still contemptable.How long can a community tolerate intruders infiltrating into their religion,openly accusing and disintegrating a culture that's supposed to be the most ancient of all.It's really frustrating and annoying.First came the barbaric plunderers from west asia,who looted us,destroyed our temples...and gradually established their kingdom here.The conversions were tremendous...but still our culture sustanined fighting all odds...co-existing with the intruders,making them one among ourselves.And now we face the missionaries converting poor,uneducated tribals and destitutes.It's a pity that the government instead of worrying for the welfare of the poor(which is often the only main agenda in their party manifestoes while campaigning)create a hue and cry over people taking severe measures against the converters.These people can buy their faiths ,but not their hearts...which would always remain Indian...and one day they all will come back to the origin of their existence and true belief...If the missionaries want to do service to their religion,they must do it without anything in return...and buying a person's faith by luring them with material gains is the most heinous sin a person could do...and no religion ever teaches us to do so.It's really ironical that the institution of religion indulges in buying and selling of human souls...when they ought to have been playing the part of helping people to relieve themselves from the materialistic bonds and attain salvation.I know these words would sound hollow to a person's ear who hasn't had proper food,clothes or any of the basic needs since the day he/she was born(that lot of us are fortunate enough to have).And conversion is not a solution to this enormous problem...The priveleged in the majority community should understand this basic issue that's eating away half of our population forcing them to trade their faith as a commodity against their own conscience.We cannot rely on the government at any cost,cuz they are like parasites feeding on the disintegartion of one community,as they are only interested in votes...The majority community should integrate the various stratas of people,irrespective of caste or economic status...and should wholeheartedly work to bring out gennuine plans to find a solution to this problem...We are still bound to our prejudices of caste and creed...and it's hard time we all realise this and come out of our cocoons and do someting really serious like creating some groups(in a temple,in your locality...anywhere...),collecting funds(with proper records and not for filling our own pockets),and then helping the poor people who need help...not by donating to a wretched poor farmer a plasma t.v. set or a Dolce and Gabana luxury suit(when he's starving for a morsel of grain),but by providing them with long-lasting means of earning.And this has to be done,the quicker the better...it's very very necesary that we realise it soon...or no force can ever prevent a conversion forced(which is a gruesome reality in this 21st century) or otherwise...(which is indirect forced conversion.)

India is a secular nation...and being an Indian 'am proud of it...but this phenomenon has come into a successful practice due to the wisdom and tolerance of the most ancient religion of India...Look at any other country...where they claim to be hard core religious nation,they are quite intolerant towards other religions...let alone co-existence.This can only be possible in a country like India,where peace and tolerance are some habits that we acquire genetically from our ancestors...And we have sustained through all odds,without waging any jehad or conversion...we're the shining stars of a great civilisation that preaches peace and harmony...and we all should pledge to hold our heads high and declare to the world that we respect all other religions ,but no thanks...don't ever dare to buy our souls,our faiths...cuz we are proud of being a HINDU.



ā­ļøPJā­ļø
Showbizz thumbnail
18th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail
Posted: 17 years ago
#62
Its more imprtant to treat it at the root cause
2 Main Root causes according to me are
--Lack of basic needs, food , shelter, job
--Reservation in education , job, travel ...
I dont blame the people who get converted they have the right to a better living and if getting converted gives them that why not . Its just a shame on the govt who doent provide basic needs to the poor.
sakisaki thumbnail
Explorer Thumbnail
Posted: 17 years ago
#63
if someone is a very strong believer of his or her religion then no matter what he would never even think bout converting into something else he or she would die but not do that.

Depends on your believe and on religion.
Shambo thumbnail
Posted: 16 years ago
#64

Originally posted by: Decoder

My questions are

1.Should religious conversions be banned in India?

2. What is a forced conversion?

3. Is providing money and TV sets and basic needs and influencing people to convert a forced conversion?

4. Orphanages run by missionaries convert every inmate to Christianity. Is it right?

5. Govt. is planning to make religious reference compulsory in class 10th because some are converting to get job through reservation while applying to professional courses. What is your take on it

What religious conversion?
Majority of Indians do not even have a religion. Supreme court has stated that Hinduism is not a religion and does not recieve any state support either. Besides, what have so called Hindus ever done for the poor?
You should be grateful that Indians will become christian, richer, educated and more modern (western).
Edited by Shambo - 16 years ago
344471 thumbnail
Posted: 16 years ago
#65
I haven't read even a single page, (heck I haven't even read the OP properly), so I am going to write down my view only on the title of the topic. Detailed answer coming later; first I will have to go through all the responses.

I see nothing wrong with religious conversion. It's a personal choice. It harms none, so none of our business. Besides, for me, God is one, so I could care the least as to what name someone would like to call there God, or how they would like to worship Him. God speaks and understands all language, equally.

However, people should think deeply before taking such a step. Why should a person be converting? Is it solely because of social/cultural/political pressure, or is it because of any individual needs, like marriage, or social acceptance? I think a person should really "feel" to be of a particular religion to be of it - why convert yourself when deep down you do not adhere to its beliefs and practices. Inter-religious marriage could work perfectly fine as long as both the parties are compromising.

As I have said it previously on various topics, I have got far more respect for such a person who questions and analyzes his belief[s], and then come into a conclusion regarding it (either for or against), than the one who simply believes blindly, and gives his God the gift blind loyalty.
Edited by PhoeniXof_Hades - 16 years ago
-Believe- thumbnail
20th Anniversary Thumbnail Stunner Thumbnail + 2
Posted: 16 years ago
#66
In india Rajastan passed the Anti-religious conversion bill, for harmony and unity....I dont know how its helpful to people...but Am againist the forceful conversion.....
Eventide thumbnail
15th Anniversary Thumbnail Navigator Thumbnail
Posted: 16 years ago
#67

I don't think conversion should be banned. Its a free country and every person has a right to follow any religion they want. If a person wants to convert, its his/her perogative.

According to me, a forced conversion is when an individual has no other option but to convert. Someone who barely has food to eat would much rather convert than go hungry. This fact is exploited by missionaries in India.
Converting to another religion just for securing a job is a disgusting reality. The vote bank politics are to be blamed here. If merit was given a priority, this issue would not have arisen.
Edited by Eventide - 16 years ago
qwertyesque thumbnail
19th Anniversary Thumbnail Rocker Thumbnail
Posted: 16 years ago
#68
ok i am hindu and there is no way you can become one if you are not born as one.. so i am good... regarding the politicized religions.. i think it should be that might is right kind of approach whoever can win over more people through, war, bribe, terrorism, coercion... should be just a matter of time.....like any other war...
Edited by qwertyesque - 16 years ago
RamKiSeeta thumbnail
17th Anniversary Thumbnail Achiever Thumbnail + 6
Posted: 16 years ago
#69

Originally posted by: Sound

It's not just the poor who they target for conversion. I mean I am no Tata Birla but I am in no need of donations from the Church.

I belong to a Hindu family living in Canada.
We have been visited by some ambassadors of Christanity. A few years ago, my brother had come back from school and was alone at home when he was paid a visit by 2 men who were spreading the message of Christanity in the community knocking on doors. My brother was a little freaked out when they started preaching in the doorway, he stood there listening for a long time before he could utter a word. And when he finally managed to let them know that he was not interested in converting, they gave him a couple of hymn books and asked him to read them and they will be back to know if he had reconsidered his decision. šŸ˜•
They had been back the following weekend and when my brother refused to attend them, I had a brief talk with them letting them know that we were happy with our religion, they then asked me to return the books they had left with my brother.

But that wasn't the end. We are still occasionally visited by such people and I think the tolerance is wearing a bit thin and we can't bother being too polite anymore.
Now getting back to your post Maya, I have experienced how persuasive such people can be. But being a firm believer in my faith and in no need of help, I can see how it is easy for people like us to resist changes firmly. But for these people you have mentioned most of whom are in dire straits, any help is a great help (doobte ko tinke ka sahara) If these missionaries bring with them a promise of a better life, I can't blame these people for being open to it. For Missiomaries, their mission is to spread the message of Christ and the more people they can get to believe in their faith, the more successful they consider their life to be. They might be luring people into their faith with materialistic things such as TV, but if they think that's the right way to go, then that's their belief! I would call TV a luxury but in areas where they are helping people improve living standards, I think religion is just a means to enhance life, not to restrict it. If claiming allegiance to one faith helps you lead a better life, I think the purpose of having religion in society is served right there.

I am sorry about the long post. I do not agree with the missionaries way of dealing things, but if nothing else in our country (the governement, people) can help those in need and they can, then I can't seem to find a problem. I agree with QT, banning will not be the solution in a secular country like India.

Just to end, I do not advocate for these missionaries, but I do believe that self comes before society or religion. And unless the govt has better proposals to offer than what the missionaries have, they shouldn't think about banning them.

I completely agree with you.šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘
My opinion is this: If people aren't happy with the religion they're born into, you can't force them to practice it lifelong. It's their loss if they can't appreciate their religion, why should we bother with those kind of people? Let them convert into the religion they want as long as they lead good moral lives.
But I am totally against missionaries. Sorry, but our family had bad experience with them twice in the past. I don't think missionaries of any religion should be allowed. Let people follow the religion they want without any force. As for Christianity, I went to a Catholic school for seven years and know a lot about it. Forcing people into their religion is not part of their religion, no matter what people think. Spreading the word of Christ is....but if someone is a true Christian, they would know that to bribe people into joining their religion is not the message of Jesus. So too bad for them, because whoever forces someone to join their religion are not messengers of their God.
RamKiSeeta thumbnail
17th Anniversary Thumbnail Achiever Thumbnail + 6
Posted: 16 years ago
#70

Originally posted by: qwertyesque

ok i am hindu and there is no way you can become one if you are not born as one.. so i am good... regarding the politicized religions.. i think it should be that might is right kind of approach whoever can win over more people through, war, bribe, terrorism, coercion... should be just a matter of time.....like any other war...

That's not true. Hinduism is a very liberal religion. Anyone can become a Hindu as long as they embrace its scriptures and anyone can abandon it if they do not agree with the scriptures.

Related Topics

Top

Stay Connected with IndiaForums!

Be the first to know about the latest news, updates, and exclusive content.

Add to Home Screen!

Install this web app on your iPhone for the best experience. It's easy, just tap and then "Add to Home Screen".