Newsline
A rightwing spokesman in
Hindu temple in Mumbai
Maharashtra, a western state
where Hindu nationalism origi-
nated decades ago, claimed that
Maharaj and his followers had
overseen the conversion of more
than 94,000 Christians “back to
their original faith” and plan to
complete the target of 100,000
in the next two years.
Maharaj, whose followers
call him Jagat Guru (Guru of the
World), told Press of India that
those who “reconverted” were
not coerced. “We are not having
a religious conversion here—it’s
a process of purification,” Maha-
raj was quoted as saying. “We
taught them the precepts of the
Hindu religion, and they decided
Christians Reportedly “Reconverted” to Hinduism
to convert to Hinduism on their
own after repentance. They were
MUMBAI, India (Compass around 800. Hindu national- took place in a camp to educate not forced.”
Direct News)—Hundreds of ists believe all Indians are born tribal women on HIV/AIDS, and Many reports of “reconver-
tribal Christians and adherents Hindu and therefore regard was followed by a mass “recon- sions,” however, have been
of aboriginal religion from vil- acceptance of Hinduism by version” ceremony in the area found to be false.
lages in Maharashtra state were those practicing other religions on April 27, 2008. The Hindustan Times
reportedly “reconverted” to as “reconversion.” Rightwing Hindu groups reported October’s ceremony
Hinduism on October 26 in Maharaj, a Hindu cleric are mostly active in tribal areas. included rituals involving cow’s
the Mumbai suburb of Thane known for opposing proclama- Hindu nationalists attack Chris- milk, seeking forgiveness from
at a ceremony led by a Hindu tion of Christ, has allegedly led tians in tribal areas because they ancestors, installation of idols
nationalist cleric. anti-Christian attacks in tribal provide social and development of the Hindu gods Ganesh
Swami Narendra Maharaj’s regions. On March 15, 2008, services, regarded as competi- and Vishnu, and an offering
goal was to “reconvert” 6,000 his men reportedly attacked two tion by rightwing Hindus seeking ritual performed by priests from
Christians in the so-called purifi- Catholic nuns from the non- to woo tribal voters, said Anwar Ayodhya, in the northern state
cation ceremony, reported The profit Jeevan Jyoti Kendra (Light Rajan, secretary of the People’s of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya is
Hindustan Times, which put the of Life Center) in Sahanughati, Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) in believed to be the birthplace of
number of “reconversions” at near Mumbai. This reportedly Maharashtra’s Pune city. the Hindu god Rama.
By the
Americans answer the question, “How serious is global warming?”
July 06 Jan 07 Apr 08 Oct 09
Numbers
Very serious 43% 44% 45% 34%
Somewhat serious 36% 32% 29% 30%
Not too serious 11% 12% 13% 15%
Source: The Pew Forum on
Not a problem 9% 8% 11% 17%
Religion and Public Life
Don’t know 1% 3% 3% 3%
30 EVANGEL • JAN 2010
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