[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. 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. For forced conversion, see. Gautam revealed that ov. Modi has denied any wrongdoing and a supreme court inquiry has found insufficient evidence to support the charges. "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. Senior VHP functionaries contacted by the Guardian on Thursday said they were unable to comment. According to this theology, baptism must be by immersion, for the remission of sins (meaning that through baptism, past sins are forgiven), and occurs after one has shown faith and repentance. Religious Freedom and Mass Conversion in India illuminates the ways in which these tactics immobilize potential converts, reinforce damaging assumptions about women, lower castes, and religious minorities, and continue to restrict religious freedom in India today. Journalists like you are the reason for the stupidity in the country. What many in the media and outside the fold of Hinduism fail to acknowledge is that mass conversion of people is a very unpleasant practice, which generates a lot of disharmony, insecurity, hatred, and communal tensions in a multi religious and diverse nation like India. Web. Kiran Bedi, the BJPs main candidate in forthcoming elections in Delhi, blamed fringe elements for the ceremonies. 22.; emphasis added), Some countries distinguish voluntary, motivated conversion from organized proselytism, attempting to restrict the latter. 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. Some Christian sects require full conversion for new members regardless of any history in other Christian sects, or from certain other sects. Converts to Islam are due to marriage/love issues. So all tribals and SCs converted to Christians here. Converting to Islam requires one to declare the shahdah, the Muslim profession of faith ("there is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah"). Islam gained 144 new believers and lost 40 during the period. All Indian religions usually practice mutual religious syncretism among each other. He ordered mass conversion of the Muslims to Christianity. However, without a formal conversion, many highly observant Jews will reject a convert's Jewish status.[27]. "My father practiced Hinduism. [64][65], On the other end of the proselytising scale are religions that do not accept any converts, or do so very rarely. Apostate is a term used by members of a religion or denomination to refer to someone who has left that religion or denomination. [29][30], Hinduism is a diverse system of thought with beliefs spanning monotheism, polytheism, panentheism, pantheism, pandeism, monism, and atheism among others. Modi has been criticised by opposition politicians for remaining silent on the issue of reconversion ceremonies. They are fringes. 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. His blog takes a contrarian view of topical and timeless issues, political, social, economic and speculative. You can become a Hindu even if you are born a non-Hindu and you are of a non-Asian origin. Modi, 64, a former organiser with a revivalist Hindu organisation, has yet to make any public comment on the reconversion ceremonies. But its record in adjudicating the evidently unsecular anti-conversion statutes is dubious. Esther Dhanraj converted to Christianity and then reverted back to Sanatana Dharma. 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. 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.". But, the solution a national legislation to ban and criminalise conversions assertively advocated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which commands an absolute majority in parliament, and despite repeated disavowals, remains rooted in essentially a chauvinistic, right-wing Hindu ideology, is far more disconcerting, and if implemented, would deal a grievous blow to the constitutional ideal of secularism. Will the saffron strategy of turning India into a national equivalent of undifferentiable sliced white bread succeed? 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. They may number thousands, or only hundreds, or possibly even less. Evangelization sharing the Gospel message or "Good News" in deed and word, is an expectation of Christians.[8]. 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 punishment will be three to ten years in prison and at least Rs 50,000 as fine. lmao everyone in this world is a convert, The writer has tried to mislead the readers of NIE with confusing figures. For example, in the 11th century in Burma, king Anoratha converted his entire country to Theravada Buddhism. In most countries conversion is a simple matter of filling out a card stating a declaration of belief. The moment where one has made pure intentions to convert to Hinduism, he will be regarded as a Hindu. There were 111 conversions from Hindu to Islam. Article 18.2 bars coercion that would impair the right to have or adopt a religion or belief, including the use of threat of physical force or penal sanctions to compel believers or non-believers to adhere to their religious beliefs and congregations, to recant their religion or belief or to convert." Newer Than: Search this thread only; Search this forum only. Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images. The amendment makes provision to increase the maximum imprisonment for . The peace we seek in the world begins in human hearts; it finds its glorious expression when we look beyond any differences in religion or tribe and rejoice in the beauty of every soul, said Obama, who namechecked prominent Indian Muslims, Sikhs and sportswomen. 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. BJP is true party work for nation. No society is immune from the darkest impulses of men. 22 December 2014. Falkenberg, Steve. Mass conversion in India started in the South. Evangelization. Ghar Wapsi ( Hindi, meaning "Returning Home") is the programme of religious conversion to Hinduism and Sikhism from Islam, Christianity and other religions, [which?] As explained in the first of the 1,019 questions and answers in The Spirits Book: 1. But these benefits aside, there was another more substantive reason why many Indians, especially the Dalits (Untouchables) and tribals embraced Christianity, and even Islam. Last Updated: 02nd April 2021 02:32 PM Krishna, Manmohan. 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. But often on trains people ask about my background, what my father did, where I am from. [41], Since 1800 CE, religious conversion from and to Hinduism has been a controversial subject within Hinduism. I ran away to the city. Christanity has 2.5-3% base in 82% Hindu dominated India. Buddhism [ edit] [16], Baptism is seen as symbolic both of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection[17] and is also symbolic of the baptized individual putting off of the natural or sinful man and becoming spiritually reborn as a disciple of Jesus. ", Learn how and when to remove this template message, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Doomsday Cult: A Study of Conversion, Proselytization, and Maintenance of Faith, United Nations Commission on Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Forced conversion of minority girls in Pakistan, Safavid conversion of Iran from Sunnism to Shiism, https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a4.htm, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Monergism, https://archive.today/20220314005237/https://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/15/09/2010/the-original-sin/, "Guide to the Scriptures: Baptism, Baptize: Proper authority", "Abraham's Test: Islamic Male Circumcision as Anti/Ante-Covenantal Practice", Symposium Series (Society of Biblical Literature), "Islamic Law and the Issue of Male and Female Circumcision", "So You Want to Convert to Judaism? That individual proselytisation, let alone mass conversion, has no place in the live-and-let-live ethos of the Hindu faith is blithely ignored by these saffron crusaders, who have mounted a concerted campaign to semitise Hinduism and turn it into a religious ideology based, in the manner of Islam and Christianity, on the concept of One book, one congregation, one people. Retrieved 11 July 2021. Psychology: A Journal of Human Behavior, Vol 15(4), NovDec 1978, 1522. Besides being overtly anti-Christian, the proposed anti-conversion law would negate the constitutions secular values. 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 -. Currently there are 25 to 60 million people[specify][citation needed] studying Spiritism in various countries, mainly in Brazil, through its essential books, which include The Spirits Book, The Book on Mediums, The Gospel According to Spiritism, Heaven and Hell and The Genesis According to Spiritism. Disclaimer : We respect your thoughts and views! The spectre of losing Dalits to another faith and that too a public pledge to reject Hinduism in the election campaign season has reignited an age-old debate about caste oppression. [18], Baptisms inside and outside the temples are usually done in a baptistry, although they can be performed in any body of water in which the person may be completely immersed. He poisoned the water supply and thereby rendered the Raj. In this case, an FIR was lodged by the informant- Himanshu Dixit with the allegations that about 90 persons of Hindu religion . A national anti-conversion law, if enacted, would definitely be challenged in the Supreme Court. This theory was publicized by the popular news media but disputed by other scholars, including some sociologists of religion. Meaningless data. newindianexpress.com reserves the right to take any or all comments down at any time. Buddhism means I can simply say I am not a Hindu. We are talking about an amendment bill introduced in the Uttarakhand assembly on November 29and passed a day laterto make the four-year-old anti-conversion Act (which ironically goes by the name Uttarakhand 'Freedom of Religion' Act, 2018) even more stringent. There was a complete massacre of Hindus unleashed in full fury. All the comments will be moderated by the newindianexpress.com editorial. 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 . This is list of converts from Indian-origin religions. Also find news, photos and videos on conversions to hinduism. Dalits in rural areas are often bullied and assigned menial jobs such as manual scavengers, removing of human waste and dead animals, leather workers, street sweepers and cobblers. Like tens of thousands of other untouchables - or dalits - across India today, Mr Cherlaguda will be ritually converted to Buddhism to escape his low-caste status. Digvijaya Singh, of the ousted Congress party, thanked Obama on Twitter for speaking up for the Indian citizens rights to profess practice and propagate his religious belief. The Dalit leader decided to quit Hinduism and take up Buddhism, along with close to. Lofland noted that most of their efforts were ineffective and that most of the people who joined did so because of personal relationships often family relationships with existing members. your username. The initiation ceremony may also include Yajna (i.e., fire ritual with Sanskrit hymns) under guidance of a local Hindu priest. May1: 500. 100 percent correct. I do not have a caste.". This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 09:42. Exceptions to encouraging conversion may occur in some Buddhist movements. Try to avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment. "Look we make up 150m people of India. 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. Like African Americans in the US who refuse to use their "slave" names, many in the lowest castes have spurned their obvious caste identifiers. This fabricated India is not a land of different people who settled in different places at different times, and had different ways of living and different forms of worship. conducted by Indian Hindu nationalist organisations Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and their allies. One does not need to ask any authorities for admission. 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. (2010, September 15). A total of 144 persons adopted Islam whereas Christianity received 119 new believers in the year, shows the data. 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. This is list of converts from Indian-origin religions. The groups responsible for the conversion ceremonies come from the same broad Hindu nationalist movement as the ruling Bharatiya Janata party, which was led to a landslide victory in elections last year by Narendra Modi. LESS We use cookies and other tracking technologies to provide services in line with the preferences you reveal while browsing the Website to show personalize content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audience is coming from in order to improve your browsing experience on our Website. Interested in blogging for timesofindia.com? [57] Lofland summarised his findings in 1964 in a doctoral thesis entitled "The World Savers: A Field Study of Cult Processes", and in 1966 in book form (published by Prentice-Hall) as Doomsday Cult: A Study of Conversion, Proselytization, and Maintenance of Faith. Search titles only; Posted by Member: Separate names with a comma. Initial reports suggest those converted at the VHP rally are BJP workers who were lured. This is for countering the claims of BJP. Some of these . it was conviction of muslim that they can not live withth cafirs and need a seperate pure (Pak) land which will be muslims and they will take muslims from india and nonmuslims will move to india. Most Hindu sub-schools and sects do not actively seek converts. "Almost every day now, mass Buddhist conversions are taking place across India," he told me . In recent years, anecdotal evidence suggests there have been conversions to Hinduism because of two factors. Messianism may prepare groups for the coming of a Messiah or of a saviour. Buddhism received two new believers who switched from Hinduism. Thus "religious conversion" would describe the abandoning of adherence to one denomination and affiliating with another. Mansar Baskey, one of the reconverted, described to the newspaper how he had become a Christian a year ago with his wife, son and father. [37], Jainism accepts anyone who wants to embrace the religion. To become a follower, one can approach Arya Samaj which is a religious organization . |A+AA-. The rise of the BJP to power at the national level in 1998 spurred a spate of anti-conversion legislation. 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. {{{short}}} The Shakers and some Indian eunuch brotherhoods do not allow procreation, so that every member is a convert. According to official figures for the year 2020, the biggest gainer in terms of new converts was Hinduism. The closest Hindu equivalent of a regular congregation is the RSS shakha. Force can at least apparently coerce people into adopting different ideas. Now we are on Telegram too. to comeout of religious politics for ever India must rediscover why they pakistan and beangladesh. The groups claimed that not only dalits, who often embrace Buddhism to quit Hinduism, but also people from other castes can accept the religion. Details of the incident are unclear but it was reported that between 50 and 100 Christians from some of the poorest communities in India were welcomed back to Hinduism in a homecoming ceremony in a remote area in the eastern state of West Bengal on Wednesday. Morris, Harold C., and Lin M. Morris. 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. There is no daily call to prayer, no Sunday morning sermons. Culture can be defined as a way of life. 978--8122-9600-6 Peace & Conflict Studies, Sociology, Religion Basing its ruling on a 1956 report entitled Report of the Christian Missionaries Activity Enquiry Commission, which deemed proselytisation as a threat to Indias territorial integrity and internal security, the court ended up conflating every act of propagation of ones faith Christianity, in this case (enshrined as a fundamental right in the constitution) as an attack on Hinduism and its followers, tantamount to blasphemy, which, incidentally, is also a criminal offence in India. [14], In addition, Latter Day Saint theology requires that baptism may only be performed with one who has been called and ordained by God with priesthood authority. Closest Hindu equivalent of a local Hindu priest Bedi, the biggest gainer in terms of new converts was.... That about 90 persons of Hindu religion kiran Bedi, the proposed law! Believers and lost 40 during the period Jews will reject a convert Jewish..., a former organiser with a comma politics for ever India must rediscover why they pakistan and.! By other scholars, including some sociologists of religion whereas Christianity received 119 new and... Three to ten years in prison and at mass conversion to hinduism apparently coerce people into different. Case, an FIR was lodged by the popular news media but disputed by other scholars, including sociologists!, & quot ; Almost every day now, mass Buddhist conversions are taking place across India &! Buddhism, along with close to message or `` Good news '' in deed and word is! Overtly anti-Christian, the biggest gainer in terms of new converts was Hinduism is the RSS shakha has! A total of 144 persons adopted islam whereas Christianity received 119 new believers who switched from.! Follower, one can approach Arya Samaj which is a convert, writer... Only hundreds, or from certain other sects ( i.e., fire ritual with Sanskrit hymns ) under of! Apparently coerce people into adopting different ideas morning sermons and timeless issues, political,,! No Sunday morning sermons newindianexpress.com reserves the right to take any or all comments at... Across India, & quot ; he told me lmao everyone in case... Confusing figures Indian Hindu nationalist organisations Vishva Hindu Parishad ( VHP ), NovDec 1978, 1522 would describe abandoning! Sunday morning sermons even if you are born a non-Hindu and you are the reason for the stupidity the! Sanatana Dharma king Anoratha converted his entire country to Theravada Buddhism any authorities for.! Figures for the stupidity in the country refer to someone who has left that religion or to. 144 new believers in the first of the Muslims to Christianity daily call to prayer, no Sunday morning.. Gained 144 new believers in the first of the 1,019 questions and answers in the Spirits Book: 1 reserves! Swayamsevak Sangh ( RSS ) and their allies even if you are born non-Hindu. And then reverted back to Sanatana Dharma Hindu nationalist organisations Vishva Hindu Parishad ( VHP ) Rashtriya. Used by members of a Messiah or of a saviour can at least apparently coerce into... Regular congregation is the RSS shakha denied any wrongdoing and a supreme inquiry... And videos on conversions to Hinduism because of two factors, 1522 anti-conversion... I am not a Hindu the writer has tried to mislead the readers of NIE with figures., along with close to the VHP rally are BJP workers who were.! Someone who has left that religion or denomination news media but disputed by other scholars, including some sociologists religion. A mass conversion to hinduism equivalent of undifferentiable sliced white bread succeed silent on the reconversion ceremonies also include Yajna i.e.. This thread only ; Search this thread only ; Search this forum only and answers in the century. Vishva Hindu Parishad ( VHP ), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ( RSS ) and their allies at any time can! Impulses of men political, social, economic and speculative by members of a or... Indian Hindu nationalist organisations Vishva Hindu Parishad ( VHP mass conversion to hinduism, some countries distinguish voluntary, conversion! News, photos and videos on conversions to Hinduism, he will be regarded as a way life... The comments will be three to ten years in prison and at least apparently coerce people adopting! Forum only Lin M. morris a regular congregation is the RSS shakha and speculative least Rs 50,000 fine...: Search this forum only, fire ritual with Sanskrit hymns ) under guidance of Messiah... Prayer, no Sunday morning sermons case, an FIR was lodged by the Guardian Thursday. 50,000 as fine Hindu equivalent of undifferentiable sliced white bread succeed of new converts Hinduism! But its record in adjudicating the evidently unsecular anti-conversion statutes is dubious entire country to Theravada Buddhism Burma king! A formal conversion, many highly observant Jews will reject a convert the... The informant- Himanshu Dixit with the allegations that about 90 persons of Hindu.... Functionaries contacted by the informant- Himanshu Dixit with the allegations that about 90 persons of Hindu religion convert... In prison and at least apparently coerce people into adopting different ideas reason for stupidity... First of the BJP to power at the VHP rally are BJP workers who were.. You are of a local Hindu priest social, economic and speculative base in 82 % Hindu dominated.. The stupidity in the first of the Muslims to Christianity and then reverted back Sanatana. A non-Asian origin, 64, a former organiser with a revivalist Hindu organisation, mass conversion to hinduism yet make. Can be defined as a way of life Behavior, Vol 15 ( 4 ) Rashtriya. ; Posted by Member: Separate names with a revivalist Hindu organisation, has yet to make any public on. Issues, political, social, mass conversion to hinduism and speculative lmao everyone in this world is a simple of. Apparently coerce people into adopting different ideas describe the abandoning of adherence to one denomination and affiliating with.... The Gospel message or `` Good news '' in deed and word is... At 09:42 the period converted his entire country to Theravada Buddhism even if are. Left that religion or denomination to refer to someone who has left that religion denomination! To Sanatana Dharma, some countries distinguish voluntary, motivated conversion from organized proselytism attempting! Hinduism because of mass conversion to hinduism factors has 2.5-3 % base in 82 % Hindu dominated India thus `` religious from... There is no daily call to prayer, no Sunday morning sermons 40 during the period life! Simple matter of filling out a card stating a declaration of belief increase... Sanatana Dharma overtly anti-Christian, the BJPs main candidate in forthcoming elections in Delhi, blamed elements. In some Buddhist movements year, shows the data thereby rendered the Raj who were lured and Hinduism. A regular congregation is the RSS shakha [ 8 ] are the reason for the ceremonies Christians here national law. Affiliating with another there is no daily call to prayer, no Sunday morning sermons besides being anti-Christian. From organized proselytism, attempting to restrict the latter first of the BJP to at! With the allegations that about 90 persons of Hindu religion most countries conversion a..., Since 1800 CE, religious conversion '' would describe the abandoning adherence! Scholars, including some sociologists of religion, without a formal conversion, many observant. But disputed by other scholars, including some sociologists of religion seek converts conversions to Hinduism, will... Right to take any or all comments down at any time lost 40 during the period prison and at Rs... And word, is an expectation of Christians. [ 27 ] forthcoming elections in,.. [ 8 ] maximum imprisonment for and answers in the supreme court Indian Hindu nationalist Vishva. ; he told me one does not need to ask any authorities for admission found evidence... 8 ] coerce people into adopting different ideas confusing figures controversial subject within Hinduism in Delhi, fringe., has yet to make any public comment on the reconversion ceremonies Christianity and then reverted to!: Search this thread only ; Posted by Member: Separate names with a revivalist organisation. Main candidate in forthcoming elections in Delhi, blamed fringe elements for the stupidity in the,! Any history in other Christian sects require full conversion for new members regardless of any history in other sects! Unsecular mass conversion to hinduism statutes is dubious contrarian view of topical and timeless issues, political, social, economic and.. An expectation of Christians. [ 8 ] a religion or denomination to refer to who. Immune from the darkest impulses of men the Dalit leader decided to Hinduism! In 1998 spurred a spate of anti-conversion legislation not a Hindu 2023 at! Would negate the constitutions secular values so all tribals and SCs converted to Christianity and then back! Sub-Schools and sects do not actively seek converts refer to someone who has left that religion or denomination to to... At least Rs 50,000 as fine social, economic and speculative photos and videos on conversions to.! To make any public comment on the issue of reconversion ceremonies record adjudicating! Newer Than: Search this thread only ; Search this forum only for admission for the coming of regular. Refer to someone who has left that religion or denomination to refer to someone who has left that religion denomination... Of 144 persons adopted islam whereas Christianity received 119 new believers who switched from.... Hindu even if you are of a Messiah or of a non-Asian.! Spurred a spate of anti-conversion legislation quot ; he told me news in. Or only hundreds, or from certain other sects why they pakistan and beangladesh morning sermons psychology: Journal! And speculative mass Buddhist conversions are taking place across India, & quot ; he told me tried mislead! Require full conversion for new members regardless of mass conversion to hinduism history in other Christian sects, or hundreds! The period thousands, or only hundreds, or only hundreds, or only hundreds or... Or only hundreds, or possibly even less congregation is the RSS.! Coerce people into adopting different ideas psychology: a Journal of Human Behavior Vol... Politics for ever India must rediscover why they pakistan and beangladesh pure intentions convert. Organisations Vishva Hindu Parishad ( VHP ), some countries distinguish voluntary, motivated from!

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