In other words, the true purpose of a religion is to ensure that each person reaches his true potential, goes beyond the temptations toward one honest truth - upliftment of himself. These are returns not conversions. New trends of Mass Conversion of Christians to Hinduism has emerged in India. University of California Press, 2000. p.114. Anyone found guilty is visited with imprisonment extending to three years, and with a financial penalty of 50,000 rupees (approximately $800). [13] The theology thus rejects infant baptism. The worst part is Casteism. [20] In the Islamic religion, it is believed that everyone is Muslim at birth. People who embraced Hinduism constituted 47 per cent of religious conversions in Kerala during the one-year period under reference. to comeout of religious politics for ever India must rediscover why they pakistan and beangladesh. All Indian religions usually practice mutual religious syncretism among each other. Both Hinduism and those pre-Abrahamic religions kept trying to look for common grounds with the Abrahamic faiths for co-existence, while Abrahamic faiths were least interested in discovering common grounds. Website Designed, Developed & Maintained by Express Network Private Ltd. Don't create wrong picture by such headlines. [42] Religious leaders of some of Hinduism sects such as Brahmo Samaj have seen Hinduism as a non-missionary religion yet welcomed new members, while other leaders of Hinduism's diverse schools have stated that with the arrival of missionary Islam and Christianity in India, the view that "there is no such thing as proselytism in Hinduism" must be re-examined. Converts to Islam are due to marriage/love issues. Of the 33 persons who crossed over to Islam from Christianity, 9 were Syrian Catholics, who included two women. Islam gained 144 new believers and lost 40 during the period. [15] Because the churches of the Latter Day Saint movement operate under a lay priesthood, children raised in a Mormon family are usually baptized by a father or close male friend or family member who has achieved the office of priest, which is conferred upon worthy male members at least 16 years old in the LDS Church. Low-caste Indians are leaving Hinduism en massepartly to stick it to their prime minister. However, he has warned members of parliament and ministers not to make statements that might distract from his development agenda, after one member of his government called Indian Muslims bastard children last year. Hinduism, says this analysis, was "adopted" by 47% of those who converted to a different religion in Kerala during the referred year. To be like Islam and Christianity, which are seen to be muscular religions that enjoin proselytisation to swell their ranks, Hinduism, as viewed by the saffron brigade, needs to gird up its loins to project a more virile and vigorously assertive persona. Mass conversion in India PM's home state sparks anger The conversion happened hours after Modi's Hindu nationalist party called for a new law to ban 'forced religious conversions' Asia For other uses, see, This article is about voluntary acceptance of a religion. India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of religious faith, he added. So all tribals and SCs converted to Christians here. Indonesia has the world's largest population of Muslims. It still exists in India and in our village too. Thus, all who come into one of the Latter Day Saint faiths as converts are baptized, even if they have previously received baptism in another faith. [37] Some schools encourage the new convert to learn and participate in community activities such as festivals (Diwali etc. "India parliament uproar over conversions by Hindu groups". Sixty years ago BR Ambedkar, the first untouchable to hold high office in India and the man who wrote India's constitution, renounced Hinduism as a creed in the grip of casteism and converted - with more than 100,000 of his followers - to Buddhism. Now, my family and I want to become Hindu again, Baskey said. Religious wars and suppression shaped the histories of the Baltic tribes, the Hussites and the Huguenots. Web. Bahs regard their own faith as the most recent (but not the last), and believe its teachings which are centered around the principle of the oneness of humanity are most suited to meeting the needs of a global community. Hindu conversion: How Hinduism is being turned more Islamic and Christian, Adjective d*****: Thanks to PC, we might soon have to be careful not to get nabbed by the oral police, Note of warning: Speculations about Demonetisation II reveal the fictional value we put on money, Johns Christmas: In remembrance of a friendship spanning 66 years, and many shared Yuletide seasons, How China locked down internally for COVI, A look at how and when Indias caste system emerged, Terms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy, TOI will have complete discretion to select bloggers, TOI's decision in this regard will be final. But its record in adjudicating the evidently unsecular anti-conversion statutes is dubious. There is no daily call to prayer, no Sunday morning sermons. Mate. the biggest gainer has been Islam. The six Astika and two Nastika schools of Hindu philosophy, in its history, did not develop a missionary or proselytization methodology, and they co-existed with each other. Attending the ceremonies are monks from America, Britain and Taiwan. Instead, the recreated India is sought to be made into a nation of total homogeneity, cultural, ethnic, and religious, a nation of one people. Starting from the premise that the freedom of religion and religious chose of those who are converted (note; the laws never say those who convert) need to be protected from incursions of proselytisers the various anti-conversion legislations, ironically termed as freedom of religion laws make it mandatory for the convertees to inform the head of the district administration. All other aspects such as visiting temples are secondary. This happened in a very calculated way and the then Govt. This vast majority are from the middle and upper middle class. To become a follower, one can approach Arya Samaj which is a religious organization . In Hyderabad the first person to convert will be KRS Murthy, 70, who was the first dalit recruited into the state's civil service in 1959. This reveals that the missionaries did bring material gifts to the native population especially western medicine and hygiene. [37] Some of these places are mathas and asramas (hermitage, monastery), where one or more gurus (spiritual guide) conduct the conversion and offer spiritual discussions. Let me say this that if there is a hint of coercion or forcible conversion, the matter will be dealt with seriously, said Derek OBrien, a spokesman for the Trinamool National Congress party which is in power in West Bengal. "No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice" (Article 18.2). [37], Religious conversion to Hinduism has a long history outside India. This situation stems from a law passed in the 1930s by the dictator Ioannis Metaxas. Though ostensibly secular in objective, the anti-conversion laws in force in various states of India Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh (all areas with a significantly high population of tribals, Dalits, the depressed castes, and reeling from poverty, illiteracy and abysmal healthcare) in effect gives the government a vast swathe of control over peoples choices in matters of faith and religion. In connection to this, many users in India posted a claim that the 'princess of Indonesia' converted to Hinduism following which 50,000 Indonesians did the same. When these turn of events created a furore in parliament, the Narendra Modi-led central government instructed the local administration to thwart the Samitis grandiose plans, and Christmas day went peacefully. [37] If after a period of study, the individual still wants to convert, a Namakarana Samskara ceremony is held, where the individual adopts a traditional Hindu name. This felt need to stiffen the sinews of Hinduism and reformulate it as an all-pervasive national culture lies behind the proposal to make the Bhagwad Gita Indias national book, in much the same way as the Bible and the Quran are for Christian and Islamic countries. [21] In Islam, circumcision is considered a sunnah custom and is never mentioned in the Quran. Force can at least apparently coerce people into adopting different ideas. The Parivars Achilles Heel could be the Dharama Jagran Samanvay Vibhag bounty of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh. Changing religion makes us visible," says Chanrabhan Prasad, a dalit writer. The landless labourer points to a picture of Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god, on his wall and says it will soon be gone and replaced by an image of the Buddha. Freshly-converted Irish and Anglo-Saxon priests spread their new-found faith among pagan British and Germanic peoples. Conversion is illegal if there is any element of compulsion or bribery. Ghar Wapsi: Forced Mass Conversion To Hinduism The purpose of a religion is to realize self actualization of a man! They do not represent the views or opinions of newindianexpress.com or its staff, nor do they represent the views or opinions of The New Indian Express Group, or any entity of, or affiliated with, The New Indian Express Group. As explained in the first of the 1,019 questions and answers in The Spirits Book: 1. A Jehovah's Witness, Minos Kokkinakis, won the equivalent of $14,400 in damages from the Greek state after being arrested for trying to preach his faith from door to door. Mormon baptism does not purport to remit any sins other than personal ones, as adherents do not believe in original sin. His blog takes a contrarian view of topical and timeless issues, political, social, economic and speculative. Christanity has 2.5-3% base in 82% Hindu dominated India. "We want to be equal to upper castes. The recent mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism in Gujarat's Una district, which included the Dalits who were brutally assaulted by cow vigilantes for allegedly skinning dead cattle, has. Apostate is a term used by members of a religion or denomination to refer to someone who has left that religion or denomination. In December another group conducted a similar ceremony for more than 200 Muslims in the northern city of Agra. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, A Buddhist monk shaves the head of a man converting him to Buddhism. Display results as threads 25 persons, including 13 females, switched from Hindu Ezhava to Islam. "The [local] priest tells me if I was a good dalit in this life, then in my next life I can be born into a better part of society. In the small one-room house on the edge of the rice bowl of India, Narasimha Cherlaguda explains why he is preparing to be reborn as a Buddhist. The price differential is presumably based on the premise that Christians are a much smaller minority than Muslims, and so pose less samasya (problem) to the body politic than do followers of Islam. Both are true in their own contexts. Answer: "God is the Supreme Intelligence-First Cause of all things."[28]. 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His blog takes a contrarian view of topical and timeless issues, political, social, economic and speculative. {{/totalcount}}, Thu, Mar 02, 2023 | UPDATED 08:23 AM IST. Alphonso Albuquerque conquered Diu. Some people say that missionaries are forcefully converting them. The most recent forced mass conversion the I know of was in 1895-1896, when Afghan Emir Abdur Rahman invaded Kafiristan and forcibly Islamized its pagan inhabitants. The last time it did was in 1977, in the, A national anti-conversion law, if enacted, would definitely be challenged in the Supreme Court. The doctrine is first considered as science, then philosophy and lastly as a religion. {{#more}} George Harrison: A very popular English musician, a member of The Beatles. Like African Americans in the US who refuse to use their "slave" names, many in the lowest castes have spurned their obvious caste identifiers. Initial reports suggest those converted at the VHP rally are BJP workers who were lured. Latter Day Saint churches do not recognize baptisms of other faiths as valid because they believe baptisms must be performed under the church's unique authority. This is list of converts from Indian-origin religions. Furthermore, certain Hassidic groups who physically attacked a meeting of the Hebrew Christian 'cult' have themselves been labeled a 'cult' and equated with the followers of Reverend Moon, by none other than the President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. {{{read_comment_link}}} Since the Bah Faith has no clergy, converts are encouraged to be active in all aspects of community life. Most Hindu sub-schools and sects do not actively seek converts. For example, the New Testament chronicles the personal activities of the Apostles and their followers in inspired preaching, miracle-working and the subsequent gathering of followers. BJP is true party work for nation. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Hindu MNA Lal Chand Malhi said that the Hindu community in Pakistan was being continuously exploited in Sindh. When the Church in Kerala speaks about "Love Jihad" it is reported as a fact and when Hindu organisations say the same, What is not mentioned in this report is that these are often tribals or SC/ST folks who have already converted to Christianity. The last time it did was in 1977, in the Reverend Stanislaus case, wherein the Odisha and Madhya Pradesh statutes were upheld. 11/6/01 The historic rally on November 4 in New Delhi featuring a mass conversion of Hindus to Buddhism has taken place, but not in the way that had been planned. Many a time, Muslim girls convert to Hinduism for marriage but that is not highlighted in media. "CatholicHerald.co.uk Cardinal protests against forced conversions to Hinduism". ), read and discuss ancient literature, learn and engage in rites of passages (ceremonies of birth, first feeding, first learning day, age of majority, wedding, cremation and others). But the Sangh Parivar seems bent on turning it into a way of strife. Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images. Mass conversions of areas and communities to Buddhism occur up to the present day, for example, in the Dalit Buddhist movement in India there have been organized mass conversions . [21][22][23] The majority of clerical opinions holds that circumcision is not required upon entering the Muslim faith. Esther Dhanraj converted to Christianity and then reverted back to Sanatana Dharma. When converting to Hindusim to which caste do they convert to?? More than 70 people from the village of Kumarriguda, 40 miles outside Hyderabad, the capital of southern India's Andhra Pradesh state, will leave the Hindu religion. Mass conversions of areas and communities to Buddhism occur up to the present day, for example, in the Dalit Buddhist movement in India there have been organized mass conversions. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the BJP, in its election manifesto, has promised an Uttar Pradesh model law against forceful religious conversion and love jihad in Kerala to woo Hindu and Christian voters, the data sourced by TNIE from the government gazettes paint an altogether different picture. [1] In some cases, religious conversion "marks a transformation of religious identity and is symbolized by special rituals".[2]. Instead of going into the genesis of the conversion of poor Hindus, Malhi chose to reply with a political overtone, "And it is happening under the rule of self-proclaimed champions of democracy.". "My father practiced Hinduism. "Evangelization." BJP divide people on religion wise for vote. Last Updated: 02nd April 2021 02:32 PM "[67], Since the collapse of the former Soviet Union the Russian Orthodox Church has enjoyed a revival. The historical God-fearers may represent a philosophical bridge between Hellenism and Abrahamic faith. Latter Day Saints hold that one may be baptized after death through the vicarious act of a living individual, and holders of the Melchezidek Priesthood practice baptism for the dead as a missionary ritual. The Dalit leader decided to quit Hinduism and take up Buddhism, along with close to. [37] The steps involved in becoming a Hindu have variously included a period where the interested person gets an informal ardha-Hindu name and studies ancient literature on spiritual path and practices (English translations of Upanishads, Agama, Itihasa, ethics in Sutra, Hindu festivals, yoga). [citation needed]. Converts from undetermined former religion, Religious Conversion: Contemporary Practices and Controversies, page 3, Christopher Lamb, M. Darroll Bryant, Kan Sastri, A History of South India, p382-383. India investigates reports of mass 'reconversion' of Christians Up to 100 Christians 'welcomed back' to Hinduism in West Bengal, raising concerns about possible coercion A damaged mural of. "Dalits should concentrate on illiteracy and poverty rather than looking for new religions. Religious police in (for example) Iran and Saudi Arabia answer for the correct religious expression of those in their purview. Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam found himself in the middle of a political storm after visuals of an alleged "mass conversion" to Buddhism, involving around 10,000 people (as . 72% of the new converts to Hinduism were Dalit Christians, mostly Christian Cheramars, Christian Sambavas and Christian Pulayas. Also, not a single legislation even addresses, let alone punish, reconversion which the many Hindu zealots are painstakingly claiming as totally voluntary and a righteous reply to the violation of rights by colonisers and their ilk. I ran away to the city. [34] Individuals have had a choice to enter, leave or change their god(s), spiritual convictions, accept or discard any rituals and practices, and pursue spiritual knowledge and liberation (moksha) in different ways. A religious creed which can capture the ear and support of secular power can become a prestige movement, encouraging the mass of a people to follow its tenets. The Parsis, a Zoroastrianism group based in India, classically does not accept converts, but this issue became controversial in the 20th century due to a rapid decline in membership. 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