Pope Benedict last night triggered off a major diplomatic row by condemning Hindu nationalists in India for their attempts to ban conversion in the country. In unusually strong language, the Pontiff told India’s new ambassador to the Vatican, Amitava Tripathi, that efforts in some States to outlaw conversions were unconstitutional and should be rejected.
“The disturbing signs of religious intolerance which have troubled some regions of the nation, including the reprehensible attempt to legislate clearly discriminatory restrictions on the fundamental right of religious freedom, must be firmly rejected,” Benedict said. “Anti-conversion laws are “unconstitutional (and) contrary to the highest ideals of India’s founding fathers.”
Questions: Is the Pope right or wrong? Should untrammelled conversions be allowed or can the “State” poke its nose in the personal religious choices of its citizens? Is it any business of the Pope’s to decide what India should or shouldn’t do? Will statements like these only end up as cannon-fodder for the BJP/VHP/Bajrang Dal who are ever fearful of Hindus losing their majority status? Should India protest to Vatican? Will it? Tell.
churumuri 
Govt of India should give a fitting reply if the above news of Pope Bendict calling India’s new ambassador to the Vatican is true, and telling about so called religious intolerance happening in India. First of all why the hell the conversion are happening in India especilly by Christian missionaries? Is becoming Christian gonna make a individual a better human being? Can any one tell Pope Bendict to increase attendance in American Churches on Sunday than conecentrating on India.
But we can not expect any reply from This Govt of India as The madam herself is From our beloved Italy. Mr. PM is only paper pusher to 10 janapath. Pope Bendict has no business in Indian internal matters.
Let him concentrate on new findings about Jesus by books like ‘Da Vinci Code’ or others and explain rome’s stance on them.?
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This persuasion from the Pope is the biggest joke to happen in my view. What business that does this ‘Poper’ has, to poke his nose into the internal affairs of our country?
I have come across instances wherein illiterate sick people who are really poor and cannot afford money for medical treatment are approached by missionaries, promised and given treatment on a condition that they further pray only in churches and that all hindu relevances are not to be referred at further on, by them.
This makes me feel sick of these missionaries and their sinister goals – particularly the way they entice poor and illiterate people in our country. Added to this, now, our ‘Pope(r)’ calls this religious freedom!! Take That!!
I simply cannot understand the reason behind converting so many people to Christianity. It is a different issue altogether if a person wants to change his religion on his own – but enticement in my view is the biggest fraud and that is what the missionaries in India are upto.
People reading this piece may feel that I am a fanatic Hindu – but no, I am not. I only feel sick of people (anyone for that matter OR any community including Hindus) who want to seek their own gains in the name of God.
Infact, today religion has become a commercial venture. AOL – Art Of Living is another glaring example – where you entice everyone to join that cult. Taken that the Sudarshan Kriya is a good exercise for the body and mind – but the way it is commercialised to provide propaganda on the AOL foundation gives me huge doubts.
My conclusion on this subject – Pope has no right to comment on what a country does within its own land. He is incharge of Vatican and that’s it. Period. Let him carry his message to any Tom Dick and Harry anywhere in the world and my sincere plea is that let him leave us to ourselves. There are bigger issues which we can concentrate on, in this country. We are an independent nation and we know how to take a call on such matters (as we have done all these years inspite of a dumb Congress Government at the helm of power). If some states in our country call for a ban on religious conversion, so be it. Why all this fuss for Pope?
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It is easy to pounce on the Pope. But we must understand that this is a response to something, not an off-the-cuff submission by the pontiff. Certainly the Pope has no business to tell us whom we need to pray, but neither does our Government. Unfortunately, this distinction was lost during the BJP-led regime, when instead of cracking down on the physical attacks of the Bajrang Dal on the minorities in Gujarat, Orissa, etc (and/or the verbal assaults of the VHP) Atal Behari Vajpayee lamely said conversion should be the subject of a national debate. We should be free to choose what we want to be; no government, even if led by a Hindu nationalist party, should dictate our choice. Even if Manmohan Singh is dull, colourless, boring and all that Churumuri calls him, the truth is his government has succeeded in significantly lowering the communal atmosphere that the BJP regime had caused. Compared to the vacuity of the ‘India Shining’ campaign this is a major plus of the government, even if a little abstract for netizens.
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I recall the story which was widely current during my childhood days making fun of the Chirtian preachers going to the villages to spread their religion with the object of convering those simple folks to Chirstianity. It appears a rat was being chased by a cat. What it do? It went to Krishna for protection but he did not do any thing and in desperatio it approached Rama and even he could not help. Then it went to seek the intervention of Jesus Christ. The preacher explains how Jesus saves the rat. Before he delivers the final punch he says in grandeloquent way to impress the simple villagers posing questions; Nimma Krishnanu bandane, baralilla, nimma Ramanu bandane, baralilla Aaga namma yesuvu enu madida gotthe? Bekkanu konda , iliyanu thinda. These Christins are going about it without let for ages and only their method varies. Now the Pope himself has taken the lead as he is apparently getting disturbed about banning conversions. Of course Indian state can not enter into this business but Vetican state can!
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Atmasakshi :Conversion is goof if it is out of WILL . But conversions taking advantage of the despairness of poor people is BAD .
Why dont you find Conversion missionaries in VONTIKOPPAL , SARASWATHIPURAM etc but only in remotest corners where the tribals and poor people reside .Vontikoppalge bandhre ivarige ‘Dharmadetu’ beeluthae .
There is counter attempts to stop conversions in Dakshina Kannada which hs seen rampant Conversions lately .The conversions are not by will it is forced on people Who are in despair . I think people have to take active role and spread message against conversions
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goof alla GOOD ( In my earlier messge )
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Some where in today’s blog there is a mention about Mrs.G not being a practicing Christian and that she enjoyed reading Da Vinci code !
So we have converted a Roman Catholic!! Now Rahul baba also may emulate his father by converting his Colombian (would be) wife !
Not bad at all ?
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At least Karl Marx got a thing right when he said “Religion is the Opium of masses”.
YOU would have exercised YOUR WILL if you ever considered converting, and DID or DID NOT. If not YOUR WILL is an ILLUSION. You are just another sheep…let the Lord be your Shepherd!
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As i expressed my fear earlier, the Italianised Indian Govt issuesd the following statement reacting to the pope's concerns :
New Delhi responded on Friday with a statement, reiterating the constitutional “freedom of conscience” and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion. “It is acknowledged universally that India is a secular and democratic country where adherents of all faiths enjoy equal rights,” said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Surely the statement is issued by 10, janapath than PM office or Foreign Ministry. It sounds like " No propblem Mr.Pope, ur info is wrong we are still open for commercially driven conversions. Please come to India convert us and save our soul.
Jai Italy, Jai India………………………
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What is religion and why do we practice it? Essentially for some form of peace. Then why are all religions fighting against each other? Why this one-upmanship. This is because religion is also about power. If one looks through histories of all religions, the “priests” or their equivalent have been used by the ruling class to gain power over the populace. This is something by which one can easily get people behind a cause. The “Priest” just has to say your religion is in danger and all followers will just line up to prevent that. They will go to any extent even kill others or sacrifice themselves. This power is known to all the “priests” and that is why this race to convert others into their own religion. Islam wants to expand. Christianity wants to expand. Hinduism and Buddhism at this point in time are quite old and mature and hence have foregone this overt expansionist trends. Expansion of Christianity will help the western powers as the centre of Christianity lies there and they can tune people into their way of life and subjugate them. Same is for others like Islam. All this results in conflicts. Many wars have been fought in the name of religion. Essentially rather than joining people religion becomes a source of conflict when it should be a source of comfort and happiness and peace. Hence for countries like India which are multi faith? It is extremely important to reduce all the possible points of conflict. Religious conversions are an important point of conflict and Government of India should immediately pass on a bill to ban all form of religious conversions with immediate effect. I would request all of you who support this to immediately put pressure on government of India to do this. A large amount of public pressure is required. Let all Indians and Indian origin people in the world join our hands together to accomplish this. It is important to remove conflict and for us to think as Indians only and forget about religious identities.What is religion and why do we practice it? Essentially for some form of peace. Then why are all religions fighting against each other? Why this one-upmanship. This is because religion is also about power. If one looks through histories of all religions, the “priests” or their equivalent have been used by the ruling class to gain power over the populace. This is something by which one can easily get people behind a cause. The “Priest” just has to say your religion is in danger and all followers will just line up to prevent that. They will go to any extent even kill others or sacrifice themselves. This power is known to all the “priests” and that is why this race to convert others into their own religion. Islam wants to expand. Christianity wants to expand. Hinduism and Buddhism at this point in time are quite old and mature and hence have foregone this overt expansionist trends. Expansion of Christianity will help the western powers as the centre of Christianity lies there and they can tune people into their way of life and subjugate them. Same is for others like Islam. All this results in conflicts. Many wars have been fought in the name of religion. Essentially rather than joining people religion becomes a source of conflict when it should be a source of comfort and happiness and peace. Hence for countries like India which are multi faith? It is extremely important to reduce all the possible points of conflict. Religious conversions are an important point of conflict and Government of India should immediately pass on a bill to ban all form of religious conversions with immediate effect. I would request all of you who support this to immediately put pressure on government of India to do this. A large amount of public pressure is required. Let all Indians and Indian origin people in the world join our hands together to accomplish this. It is important to remove conflict and for us to think as Indians only and forget about religious identities.
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Mr.Pope… welcome to 21st Century. India is not like one of your decaying German villages where the faithful are exiting Church system en-mass. Poor pope (PP) was hoping that India with its huge population and a hugely benevolent attitude towards Christians for centuries would silently witness the Christianisation of India. But PP must be dismayed at the turn of events. Nothing can be compelled on an unwilling public and the people witnessing the belief massacre will not keep quiet. I am not sure if the Bhajrang Dal etc would mind if those who converted would never visit Temples before they were baptised. But they cannot stomach them practicing other forms of religion.
MrPP – Keep your hands off India …
ps: pls do a favor – tell your folks in India too
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is any of the above people give any thing to poor adivasee or dalith , ( education or health,etc) only talking only,
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is any of the above people give any thing to poor adivasee or dalith , ( education or health,etc) only talking only,
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i wish the Indian govt. had given a fitting reply to the pope..
some years ago, there were many anils and sunils cleaning the gutturs, they are still in the same profession, only theyve changed their names to jacobs and josephs!!! what have they got by converting?? if these missionaries are really so concerned about the poor and illiterate, tell them to educate these people for free and unconditionally or leave.
all forms of coversions if not by will are just fraud and should be stopped..
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>>“Anti-conversion laws are “unconstitutional (and) contrary to the highest ideals of India’s founding fathers.”
>>
The holy poop has spoken about Vatican constitution I guess. The biggest MNC in the world is the Vatican. The poop clearly knows that if India is not converted, Christianism is in peril, as people in europe have started moving out of it enmasse and the north americans are sure to follow suit.
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Where is the poll? You should have a poll saying yes or no.Anyway I think it should be allowed under our existing laws. FYI, THE catholic Church is practically bankrupt and has been selling of its properties to cope with the fall in membership the rise in agnostic/atheists.
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