Urgent need to convert the converters - A further article by P.N. Benjamin

"URGENT NEED TO CONVERT THE COVERTERS
Christian converters and the converted have been making too much noise about the recent TN Anti-Conversion Bill. It has invited strong reactions from different quarters. The achievements on the part of the converters and the converted are normally measured in terms of the new-found economic independence and social dignity. The process of conversion involves interventions such as church planting, evangelization etc., and culminates in an event called baptism. Well, the mission is accomplished in compliance with the command of God: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them….”. But, whatever that has to follow, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you …” is virtually missing. The very important elements in the teachings of Christ are conveniently ignored: “You encompass sea and land to make one convert and then you make him twice the son of hell as you are… Love your enemy. Love one another as I have loved you”. And in the whole process the converter and the converted make themselves a laughing stock and Christ, an object of mockery. In the end, Dalits’ conversion to Christianity means nothing but substitution of social discrimination within the Churches for discrimination within the Hindu society.Revival songs the converters sing, long prayers they pray and long sermons they preach amount to lip-religion and at the same time they swallow widows’ houses. To preach what they do not practise is to put the cart before the horse. “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”.It is time that the converters convert themselves first, shedding their dubious distinction of claiming “I believe in one God, father almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible...” on the one hand and calling people of other faiths as “Non-Christian” on the other. Preaching, teaching and propagating one’s faith should happen in an environment where there is mutual love, respect and tolerance among people of different faiths and not with ill-will, hatred and malice."
P.N.BENJAMIN
CoordinatorBangalore Initiative for Religious Dialogue(BIRD)