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Two
facets of Christianity
By Dr
Vijay Chauthaiwale
"India" and "Christianity" on the Internet
http://www.organiser.org/21nov99/index.html
"In India
this past year,.... have planted 1953 churches, won 60,000 Hindus to Christ and
Baptised 41,000 new believers".
"... is working towards a church for every one of the 75,000 Pin Codes by
the end of the year 2000" "... is training 100,000 missionaries for
outreach to India, 10,000 of them by December 31,2000." You will certainly
guess that these statements are made by Shri Ashok Singhal, Dr Pravin Togadia or
any other leader of Hindutva Parivar. But you are wrong. These are not the
exaggerated claims of the opponents of Christian missionary activities but are
the proclamations of the missionaries themselves.
Still you don't trust. Then switch on your Internet connection and give
"India" and "Christianity" as keywords. In no time, you will
exclaim, "Yahoo!" and this exclamation will not be due the fact that
you are using Yahoo! search engine or you are a big fan of Shammi Kapoor, but it
will be due to the amount of information you will get by this simple search.
Nobody will deny the fact that Christian missionaries go to the remotest part of
the country, open schools, hostels, offer free medical services and even
financial help to the rural and tribal population. However, intellectuals are
divided over the motives of this service. While one section firmly believes that
these are purely humanitarian efforts of the missionaries and tribal population
adopts Christianity solely due to the service of missionaries, others feel that
conversion to Christianity is a core theme and the ultimate goal of all service
activities of the Christian missionaries.
The second issue is the overseas funding received by these organisations
in India. While some feel that this is a humanitarian aid to the poor and needy,
especially children, others are convinced that these funds are collected and
channelised specifically for the conversions.
It is quite clear that activities of social service and conversions by
Christian missionaries are quite intermingled. Especially in rural and tribal
areas, there is hardly a case where one happening without other. The real
question is of the core theme behind these activities. We tried to examine this
issue by studying few international Christian organisations working in India,
either directly, or through their front organisations in India.
Let's take a case of Evangelical Church of India (ECI, http://pcsadvt.com/eci/index.htm).
It belongs to OMS International ("the mother organisation"), which
first began in Japan in 1901 and is now working in fourteen countries. The ECI
was established in India in 1954. In 1957, they had their first success in
conversion when in Porur village near Madras, 30 young men joined a Christian
prayer meeting on a Shivratri night. Now there are 600 believers in the Porur
ECI church and 95 per cent of them are first generation Christians.
We must go where the fish bite the bait.
The main target of the ECI (in their term "responsive people")
is the oppressed and suppressed class of the Hindu society. The ECI has
multiplied churches by hundreds in slums, among the scheduled castes and
scheduled tribes in the cities and villages of India."We must go to where
the fish are found... Where the fish bite the bait on the hook." declares
Evangelical Church of India. Even among these poor sections of the society, it
has identified some "most responsive people groups". The following
table shows Statewise target groups: Deculturisation: Cross entrenched in lotus.
The ECI believes in conversions with minimum social dislocations. It does
not want to upset the long cherished customs and traditions of the newly
converts. "Where ever there are pagan links with these cultures and
customs, deculturisation might become necessary. But it is done without creating
a vacuum in the lives of young converts. Under these circumstances, old
traditions find new meanings after the same are re-christened and brought in
line with the Christian faith and practice. This deculturisation process is
known as 'functional substitute' in the study of missionary anthropology. The
Hindu practices and rituals are replaced by Christian thanks-giving
services." It is evident from the logo of the ECI which depicts "Cross
deeply entrenched in the lotus", where lotus represents the seat of Hindu
Gods. "The inference is very clear", ECI openly admits, "Christ
and Cross must ultimately take the seat of these mythological deities and
thereby Christianity should become deeply rooted in the culture of India".
Another example is "Mission of Joy" (MOJ, http://home.navisoft.com/missionjoy/index.htm).
It is a non-profit organisation registered under the trade name of "Solid
Rock Ministries of Colorado Springs". It is situated in Colorado, USA. All
donations to MOJ are tax deductible. "It is our desire to bring the gospel
to a million unreached believers and provide temporary and permanent assistance
to orphans", says MOJ. To achieve this goal, they have opened three
orphanages in Tenail, Nasaraopet and Vijiwada respectively. MOJ also support
numerous Indian-born missionaries. They have a target of sending hundred new
missionaries a year into the mission field. They also build churches and provide
food to the needy. But the story does not end here. MOJ conducts approximately
25 evangelistic crusades (conversion programs) in the remote villages of India
every year. In 1994 winter alone, MOJ "saw more than 10,000 Hindus and
Muslims commit their lives to Christ".
AD 2000
and beyond: A grand design
The most
systematic planning in the direction of conversions is documented by the USA
based organisation "AD2000 and Beyond Movement" (www.ad2000.org).
Under the banner of "Jashua Project 2000", they have listed 216 people
groups (tribes, castes, etc.) throughout the world which they consider
"Priority-I" people. Out of these 216 groups, there are nine tribes of
India (Bhilala, Binjhwari, Chero, Kawar/Kamari, Lhoba, Majhwar, Panika, Shin or
Sina, and Sikkimese Bhotia). They have also identified North India Hindi belt as
"the core of the core of the core" and put forward a systematic study
of this region and make a strong appeal to focus on this region in order to
complete the unfinished work of evangelization.
Specifically, AD2000 put forward five reasons for "Why North India?"
1. It is major population centre. It represents fourty per cent Indian
population. 2. It is a political centre. 3. It is the most deprived area of
India. AD2000 even discusses "Bimaru" (For Bihar, Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesj) term. 4. It is the religious hub of India. 5. It
has the smallest Christian presence in all of India.
No doubt, AD2000 has done a highly systematic study of this region. In order to
"spy out the land and its inhabitants", India Missions Association, in
partnership with Gospel of Asia has researched and published very informative
and accurate books on this region. Other projects, such as "People of India
Project" by the Anthropological Society of India, have also helped AD2000
to fine-tune its plan.
AD2000 is well aware of the current political situation in India. It states,
"the ever changing political dynamic in India has opened a window for
increased missionary efforts that may or may not last. For now, there is
opportunity in India. ... We must do what we can when we can. Now is India's
time. We dare not let it pass."
Church
in 75,000 Pin Codes: Action Plan
Following are
some of the highlights of their action plan and "achievements".
1. ECI has already set up 900 churches in North India by 1998. The original
target is 1000 churches by year 2000. 2. Gospel of Asia has targeted 100
unreached people groups out of 200 groups defined by "Jashua Project".
3. OM India (Operation Mobilisation) plan to present gospel through literature
to 100 million (ten crore) people. 4. the Association of Pentecostals is
planning to establish a church for every one of 75,000 Pin Codes by year 2000.
5. The friends missionary prayer band has developed "Hindi heartland
penetration strategy" to mobilize 1000 new missionaries. 6. India Reach
Plans to reach 500 million (50 crore) people through direct mail. 7 Gospel of
Asia plans to train 100,000 missionaries, 10,000 of which by year 2000. 8. The
Charismatic New Life Churches plan to "plant" church in every district
of India.
All these organisations have come together under a loosely-organised umbrella,
"North India Harvest Network (NIHN)". The mission of this network is
"Plug, Prem and be NICE". But this phrase is not as simple as it
seems. Plug stands for People in every Language in every Urban centre-in every
Geographic division. Prem stands for Prayer, Reseach, Equipping & training
and Mobilization and NiCE stands for Networking, Initiative, Catalyst and
Encouraging the missionaries. The heart of the strategy is:
* 200 People groups
* 50 Languages
* 50 Urban areas
* 200 Geographical districts.
Efforts
in Varanasi
With this
well-knit network, they have already showing the signs of the success. For
example, they have concentrated Varanasi, one of the holiest place for Hindus.
"Church planting" work is initiated in sixty villages around Varanasi
and in last year alone, 300 baptisms are reported. NIHN has developed a
"Prayer strategy" for "every people in every city, in every
language, in every district". Experienced prayer warriors, such as Dr
Zacariah Fomum of Africa, were specifically involved to train the people
involved in this project. No wonder Shri Peter Wagner, coordinator of AD2000
United Prayer Mobilisation Network observes, "Of all the nations in the
world, India has the highest potential of fruitful investment of evangelistic
efforts..."
Every
month 125 people being baptised
Similar
strategy has been detailed for Rajasthan. Under the title "Rajasthan
Harvest Consultation" dated 19-21 July 1998, Shri T.S. David and Sam Lal
writes, "Rajasthan is ripe for spiritual harvest was the conviction of
Christian leaders and the more than 200 assembled for the opening evening of the
Rajasthan Harvest Consultation on 19th July. The next day grass roots church
planters from many districts in the State totaling some 152 registered plus
another 50 local leaders making a total of 200.
" Consultation chairman Dr Anand Chaudhari, President of Rajasthan Bible
Institute said: "We are convinced that no one organisation or church will
be able to reach Rajasthan alone. Those days have gone when we were on our own.
We are convinced that we must have a network where we will bring workers from
different denominations and ministries so they will join in a united effort.
" Sam Lal, Director of Every Home Crusade in Rajasthan says, "After
two coverages of every home in every village and town with Christian literature
by 1991 there were 200 Christ groups, or regularly meeting worship centres.
However, since 1992 as they have continued their systematic evangelistic
outreach 800 Christ groups have been formed in just the past seven years. This
vastly accelerating response suggests that there is a higher responsiveness to
the gospel and this is the time for a major systematic cooperative effort.
" In Rajasthan, there are some 70 different churches and missions working.
Through the efforts of the IMA a present status of Christian work in Pin Code
areas was prepared in September 1995 that shows which church or organisation is
working in each of the Pin Codes in the State.
Dr Anand Chaudhari, founder and director of Rajasthan Bible Institute, has
established some 500 churches over the past thirty years in Rajasthan. Sam Lal,
son of the soil, and Director of Every Home Crusade (EHC) in Rajasthan has
trained and sent out many workers for the harvest. EHC has distributed Christian
literature to every home in every village and town twice. Now, on their third
time they are seeing a great harvest. Groups of Christians are then presented to
denominations. Two years ago over 1500 were baptised on one single occasion as a
result of a literature distribution programme of EHC.
In May 1996, 19 RBI trained evangelists were reaching into 600 villages, and
reported over 4,000 conversions to Christianity in the district. By February
1997 the same 19 evangelists were now reaching into 800 villages, and 300
churches and worship groups, averaging 30 to 40 people each, were functioning.
There were now 9,000 to 10,000 believers, with 125 people taking baptism every
month. Following a church service on Sunday, February 9, 1997, over 300 people
took baptism. Stories of God's power at work in wonderful ways continue to
multiply. People are being delivered from evil spirits, others are receiving
physical healing, and the joy of God's salvation is penetrating their hearts.
In Udaipur at least 80 Bhils people are Baptized every month in the district,
and presently there are about 1100 believers meeting in 16 churches and worship
groups. Another 100 churches have been established.
The following approaches are employed for this mission:
1. The people Group (ethno-cultural, caste) 2. The geographic approach which
means every village, every colony in every city in every block of (100,000
people) and every district, 3. The linguistic approach, 4. The responsive people
approach with a special ongoing focus on the Bhils, 5. The holistic approach. 6.
Combination of the above.
Exploitation
of blind faith and superstition
In order to
prove their points, these missionaries are willing to exploit even the
blind-faith and superstitions among Bhils. Following story will explain this
point.
"Limba's father was a village chief and a prominent witch doctor in the
village. His father practiced demonic things. His hut had a seat made of human
ashes picked from cremation places. Demons started haunting family members. Not
surprisingly, Limba was under demonic possession. Sam called it Legion for there
seemed to be 2000 demons inside. He was swollen like a very fat person. He would
see demons coming at him and chopping him up. He used to scream. His father
tried to deliver him but was unsuccessful. He called his circle of friends but
they could not do it. So they took him on a Hindu pilgrimage in the hope of
cleansing his soul. That did not work. They then took him to the temple of the
monkey (Hanuman god) next to the Mahi river near to the famous Mahi dam of
Rajasthan. By this time Limba was as though dead. He was already bed ridden.
They said: Walk seven times around the temple and place him in the holy bath. He
was physically sick as well as demon possessed. There was a strange sickly smell
coming from him.
After the walk around the temple nothing happened. The Hindu priest said he was
a lost case. They advised his father to throw him into the river to get rid of
him that his soul might merge with the big sprit of the river.
His father however, brought him home to his village of Dhuliagarh in the tehsil
of Bagidora in the district of Banswara in Southern Rajasthan. Two EHC
evangelists Lauji and Gauji came to the village as part of their literature
distribution process. They came to know he was sick and immediately came to the
home of Limba. They found that a crowd had already gathered expecting him soon
to die. When they saw him they lost heart. He was a pathetic sight, in
convulsions and death throes. Suddenly they got a ray of hope when they watched
with amazement and saw the man come to his senses for a moment. He started
shouting: "Doctors, sir, please heal me because I see many big black giants
coming to cut me into pieces." The evangelists understood that this was
more than just a physical sickness. The powers of darkness were snuffing out his
life. They turned to the crowd that had gathered. They shared about Christ with
them and asked them to believe what God could do and to join them in a prayer of
faith for Limba. The moment they prayed with that authority, Limba fainted,
stinking water oozed out of his pores like a boiled tomato that is squeezed.
Within a few hours he became thin. After receiving his healing he was in bed
recovering from general weakness. On the seventh day, without anyone teaching
him the world he shouted "Hallelujah and began praising God." Now
people thought he had gone mad but in fact he was being filled with the Holy
Spirit. Limba has been serving the Lord for twelve years. He became the Timothy
to Gauji and Lauji. Both Limba and Gauji were at the consultation. He trained
and became a volunteer until 1993 when he became a missionary.
" They have also pledged, "We, the Christian leaders of Rajasthan
Harvest Consultation, in Jaipur on July 21, 1998 covenant under the enabling
grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit in obedience to the Commission of
our Lord Jesus Christ that unitedly pray, participate and provide to see that by
AD2000 a church in every block in Rajasthan is planted.
" As stated in the beginning, we tried to search the missionary literature
available on the internet to study their views and plans with respect to India.
None of the statements quoted above have been drastically edited. On the basis
of this, it is difficult to assume that Christian missionaries in India work in
the rural and tribal areas solely for the upliftment of these people. On the
contrary, their principal motive of social activities is none other than
conversions. Even though several Christian denominations are working
independently, they have indeed formed an umbrella organisation (AD2000) in
order to co-ordinate their efforts in this direction. It can therefore be
concluded that concerted international efforts are underway for conversions of
soft targets among Hindus. For those who believe that conversions take place due
to a change of faith by an individual, the open declaration by the Christian
organisations about their mass conversion efforts will certainly come as a rude
shock. At least for these Christian organisations, social service and
conversions are two sides of the same coin. None can exist without other.
During his address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, President Shri K.
R. Narayanan stressed, "Unity of our nation is not based on any monoloithic
idea but on our age-old tradition of tolerance... . Which is at once a pragmatic
concept of living together and a philosophical concept of finding truth and
goodness in every religion." However, the attempts of ECI, AD2000 and other
organisations are exactly contrary to this philosophy. These organisations are
indeed deeply involved in deculturalisation process. "Christ and Cross must
ultimately take the seat of these mythological deities", says ECI. These
efforts are not only causing distress among tribal but also challenging very
fundamentals of the social and cultural fabric of our society. Recent conflicts
should be studied in this context too. It is a need of time that every citizen
of this country, who is proud of this rich tradition of ours, should oppose such
blatant attempts of these international organisations to convert this country
into a monolithic Christian society.
(This article is compiled by Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale, a scientist in molecular
biology. He resides at Ahmedabad and is associated with Vishwa Samvad Kendra
Media Centre, Ahmedabad).
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