Is conversion necessary for social work, asks Rajnath

[third eye]

Is conversion necessary for social work, asks Rajnath - The Hindu

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday asked: “Is conversion necessary? Can social service not be performed in India without resorting to conversion?”

He was delivering the inaugural address at the Annual Conference of State Minorities Commissions here.

“Why is it not possible for all religions to prosper without promoting conversions in India? How can a country like India allow changes in its demographic profile and character?” he asked.

Mr. Singh spoke about conversion and ‘ghar vapsi,’ pointing out that in other countries it was the minorities who demand ‘anti-conversion laws’ for their protection and urged all minority communities to debate this issue openly.

'Minorities are patriots'

Terming Mr. Singh’s comments on conversion as a veiled message to minorities to confine themselves to their respective faiths and not interact with society, Prabha Joseph, member of the Andhra Pradesh Minorities Commission, said: “If the conversion propaganda against Christians was true then the community would have been larger than two per cent of the population as till very recently we ran a large number of private schools and hospitals in the country. Several BJP leaders studied in our schools; were they converted?’’

Apart from prising open the conversion debate — partially capped since Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month said “everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence” — Mr. Singh sought to assure the gathering at the Annual Conference of State Minorities Commissions here that the government would do everything to protect the minorities and allay the sense of fear gripping them.

In an oblique reference to some Sangh Parivar outfits questioning the patriotism of the minorities, he said: “I believe the minorities of our country are patriots and their patriotism should not be questioned.”

Further, he dwelt on India’s diversity; stating that this is a country which respects all religions and believes in peaceful co-existence. “We have all 72 sects of Islam living here peacefully,” he said. Without directly referring to Sangh Parivar propaganda of Christianity being brought to India by the colonial powers, he flagged the fact that Kerala houses one of the oldest churches in the world.

After the day-long deliberations, participants uniformly stressed the importance of India’s multi-religious character and emphasised the need for the country to develop as a whole.

 

[Georgeclark]

Is conversion necessary for social work, asks Rajnath - The Hindu

“Is conversion necessary? Can social service not be performed in India without resorting to conversion?”


“Why is it not possible for all religions to prosper without promoting conversions in India? How can a country like India allow changes in its demographic profile and character?” he asked.

Mr. Singh spoke about conversion and ‘ghar vapsi,’ pointing out that in other countries it was the minorities who demand ‘anti-conversion laws’ for their protection and urged all minority communities to debate this issue openly.

'Minorities are patriots'



In an oblique reference to some Sangh Parivar outfits questioning the patriotism of the minorities, he said: “I believe the minorities of our country are patriots and their patriotism should not be questioned.”
.

Right said

 

[Indian_Devil]

Is conversion necessary for social work, asks Rajnath - The Hindu

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday asked: “Is conversion necessary? Can social service not be performed in India without resorting to conversion?”

He was delivering the inaugural address at the Annual Conference of State Minorities Commissions here.

“Why is it not possible for all religions to prosper without promoting conversions in India? How can a country like India allow changes in its demographic profile and character?” he asked.

Mr. Singh spoke about conversion and ‘ghar vapsi,’ pointing out that in other countries it was the minorities who demand ‘anti-conversion laws’ for their protection and urged all minority communities to debate this issue openly.

'Minorities are patriots'

Terming Mr. Singh’s comments on conversion as a veiled message to minorities to confine themselves to their respective faiths and not interact with society, Prabha Joseph, member of the Andhra Pradesh Minorities Commission, said: “If the conversion propaganda against Christians was true then the community would have been larger than two per cent of the population as till very recently we ran a large number of private schools and hospitals in the country. Several BJP leaders studied in our schools; were they converted?’’

Apart from prising open the conversion debate — partially capped since Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month said “everyone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence” — Mr. Singh sought to assure the gathering at the Annual Conference of State Minorities Commissions here that the government would do everything to protect the minorities and allay the sense of fear gripping them.

In an oblique reference to some Sangh Parivar outfits questioning the patriotism of the minorities, he said: “I believe the minorities of our country are patriots and their patriotism should not be questioned.”

Further, he dwelt on India’s diversity; stating that this is a country which respects all religions and believes in peaceful co-existence. “We have all 72 sects of Islam living here peacefully,” he said. Without directly referring to Sangh Parivar propaganda of Christianity being brought to India by the colonial powers, he flagged the fact that Kerala houses one of the oldest churches in the world.

After the day-long deliberations, participants uniformly stressed the importance of India’s multi-religious character and emphasised the need for the country to develop as a whole.

rightly said.. all type of conversions including missionary coversions and ghar wapsi should be stopped...

 

[Ryuzaki]

Tell this to missionaries.

 

[Soulspeek]

Wrong. Mr.Rajnath Singh Sahab. Christians do not do conversion under pretext of social services. Out of millions of poor people served, how many got converted? Christians are just 2 percent. Heck, they don't even produce more than 2 babies to increase their population!

Even in Convent schools, I am yet to see students who converted to Christianity. BJP is just raising this bogeyman of Hinduism in danger to polarise its vote bank and implement the communal agenda of Sangh.

 

[Indian_Devil]

Wrong. Mr.Rajnath Singh Sahab. Christians do not do conversion under pretext of social services. Out of millions of poor people served, how many got converted? Christians are just 2 percent. Heck, they don't even produce more than 2 babies to increase their population!

Even in Convent schools, I am yet to see students who converted to Christianity. BJP is just raising this bogeyman of Hinduism in danger to polarise its vote bank and implement the communal agenda of Sangh.

yeah... misssionaries do conversions by showing the fear of god to the poor and illiterate people and not for social service... also rajnath singh is appealing to stop conversions not to increase the momentum.

 

[Armstrong]

Why is this even an issue ?

People convert for all sorts of reasons; monetary incentives, the promise of a better future, philosophical consonance with a belief system or emotional fulfillment in believing in something - I don't think that a State - any state - ought to concern herself with this too much otherwise it may set a dangerous precedent by allowing a given State to appropriate greater rights for herself in the future by taking further rights from the 'individual' and giving it to the 'society' !

Religion will always be part and parcel of a religious society and it would be unreasonable to expect those in power to have a completely unbiased view of things and be emotionally detached from the sensibilities and sensitivities of their belief systems and those of the society as a whole, when governing. But I think it wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest that even when allowing religion or any belief out there (even if it be purely secular) to influence governance, a liberal and not the conservative approach ought to be taken which accommodates various view points and at the very least tries to conform to the golden principle of not doing to others what one does not wish to be done to oneself, most of the time if conforming to it all of the time would be impossible.

I think in Pakistan we made the same mistake by allowing the Orthodoxy a greater say in whatever religious imprint they wanted to have over governance and legislation while at the same time ignoring the Progressive elements from the same religious circles because the former was exponentially more vocal and organized than the latter. Ironically enough most of these Orthodox elements like the Majlis-i-Ahrar who became the champions of an Islamic State - as they envisioned it to be in their parochial view - were ferociously against the creation of Pakistan to begin with.

Religion (like anything else) should have a positive and inclusive impression on a State's culture and values. If it starts having an exclusive, reactionary and divisive effect you end with the states that Pakistan and India find themselves. No wonder as per PEW social hostility involving religion index we have found ourselves in the top 10 most socially hostile states with respect to religion for the past decade.

What do you think @scorpionx ?

 

[Tshering22]

rightly said.. all type of conversions including missionary coversions and ghar wapsi should be stopped...

But Middle Eastern religions survive on conversion. Think about it; had they not used harsh or soft methods to convert at all, they would have been extinct by now.

yeah... misssionaries do conversions by showing the fear of god to the poor and illiterate people and not for social service... also rajnath singh is appealing to stop conversions not to increase the momentum.

Rajnath is trying to amicably solve the issue and point out the hypocrisy of a violent and cunning minority.

The whole US foundations behind it, it is not difficult to tell where this war will go.

With the election of PM Modi, the 'muslim' card died as people understood the truth.

Now these enemies of India are using 'christian' card to attack the country's fabric.

It was there always but in the shadows, now it is in the open.

Otherwise can anyone tell me, where was this whole conflict all these years?

Here is a little eye opener for everyone:

A Christian responds to a Christian who felt “he was a stranger in his own country”

 

[me_itsme]

Rightly said. All these religious groups should concentrate more on social development if they are want to do some good for the country.

 

[Indian_Devil]

But Middle Eastern religions survive on conversion. Think about it; had they not used harsh or soft methods to convert at all, they would have been extinct by now.

well it is not possible in present scenario in democratic states ( specially the harsh methods).. if any religion sustains its survival on forceful conversions and greed of heavenly prizes ONLY... then they will disintegrate in pieces... also in far future scope of religion will only be lessened, as human is trying constantly to be free from any types of shackles....

 

[Tshering22]

well it is not possible in present scenario in democratic states ( specially the harsh methods).. if any religion sustains its survival on forceful conversions and greed of heavenly prizes ONLY... then they will disintegrate in pieces... also in far future scope of religion will only be lessened, as human is trying constantly to be free from any types of shackles....

As much as you wish it ain't happening, you haven't seen parts of east and northeast for our dear Xtians and our dear Religion of Peace in parts of WB, Kerala and J&K.

Suggest you to venture to these states. Not their capitals or tourism spots but shady border villages and state interior regions. Oh and go only if you are well trained to defend yourself.

Rightly said. All these religious groups should concentrate more on social development if they are want to do some good for the country.

The Bible Belt in USA doesn't want that.

To them, it is a business; conquer resources using belief of people.

Barring the Syrian Orthodox, all others use hook or crook to convert. The Hindu and other saffron groups are only retaliating in anger.

Wrong. Mr.Rajnath Singh Sahab. Christians do not do conversion under pretext of social services. Out of millions of poor people served, how many got converted? Christians are just 2 percent. Heck, they don't even produce more than 2 babies to increase their population!

Even in Convent schools, I am yet to see students who converted to Christianity. BJP is just raising this bogeyman of Hinduism in danger to polarise its vote bank and implement the communal agenda of Sangh.

No he isn't wrong.

You have much to see, bhaisahab.

Remember India is not just the school around your house or the mall near your colony.

It is much more and far more sinister than their cousin, the Religion of Peace.

 

[Indian_Devil]

As much as you wish it ain't happening, you haven't seen parts of east and northeast for our dear Xtians and our dear Religion of Peace in parts of WB, Kerala and J&K.

Suggest you to venture to these states. Not their capitals or tourism spots but shady border villages and state interior regions. Oh and go only if you are well trained to defend yourself.

.

i have heard of things like throwing plastic idol of hindu gods and showing fears of god jesus by missionaries to poor farmers of Orissa from my proffessor... also i am in nomood in taking any tour... this should be a concern of state and center govt.

 

[Tshering22]

i have heard of things like throwing plastic idol of hindu gods and showing fears of god jesus by missionaries to poor farmers of Orissa from my proffessor... also i am in nomood in taking any tour... this should be a concern of state and center govt.

Then please understand; such crap exists.

It is real and very much there. It happens with my fellow Buddhist people as well.

And please show concern rather than cursing RSS and VHP who are only retaliating against a provoked attack.

 

[Screambowl]

Wrong. Mr.Rajnath Singh Sahab. Christians do not do conversion under pretext of social services. Out of millions of poor people served, how many got converted? Christians are just 2 percent. Heck, they don't even produce more than 2 babies to increase their population!

Even in Convent schools, I am yet to see students who converted to Christianity. BJP is just raising this bogeyman of Hinduism in danger to polarise its vote bank and implement the communal agenda of Sangh.

wrong
conversions happen and missionaries do it. They will start making you believe that you are sad, life has no special thing for you. And the solution is, join our church and you will be the happiest.

 

[Indian_Devil]

Then please understand; such crap exists.

It is real and very much there. It happens with my fellow Buddhist people as well.

And please show concern rather than cursing RSS and VHP who are only retaliating against a provoked attack.

you are painting a canvas with red paint which is already fully red.. still I appreciate your concern...