[Reader-list] Your views on the book "Satya Darshini" by christian missionaries

[Murali V]

As regards conversions, I can give a whole list of documentation where
seduction is the main method.

Regards,
V Murali

On Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 12:37 PM, Rakesh Iyer<rakesh.rnbdj at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Murali
>
> I may counter this point, to a certain extent. The idea of monotheism in God
> was basically an articulation of the elitist position, which the priests and
> those considered 'respectful' as per religious tradition, being elders. What
> the people followed in their lives may not be necessarily the same as that
> which was observed by the elites.
>
> Secondly, it was under the British rule that Sanskrit and religious texts
> were studied back for research into Indian philosophy (this was done even
> under Mughal rule but the Mughals didn't distinguish themselves necessarily
> from the natives of the land), it was then that certain reformers like Ram
> Mohan Roy, Vidyasagar, Vivekananda and others realized the need to reform
> their religion, for being western-educated and seeing what they thought were
> 'ills' in the society, they couldn't bear to see the real instances of sati
> and other kinds of discrimination, as well as polytheism.
>
> In order to give a 'modernist' look in the religion, they decided to adapt
> the theme of monotheism. While Roy advocated that people should only worship
> one God, Vivekananda said what you have put as the main point in your mail.
> However, as I have said, Vivekananda and Roy are not the only Hindus. Each
> person has got the right to interpret and decide for himself/herself what it
> means to be a Hindu, and the same freedom does and should exist for what it
> means to be a Christian or a Muslim. Unnecessary constraints being invented
> or developed by society is not the right path to define these identities.
>
> I think we have also diverted significantly in measure from the subject
> under which I am writing this mail. The topic basically deals with regarding
> whether such texts should be published at all, and why aren't they being
> criticized.
>
> The texts shouldn't be banned, so also Varun Gandhi's and Modi's speeches
> (vitriolic as they have been in different contexts). Each person has got the
> right to express his/her view, and even as a citizen of the Indian state,
> it's no obligation on a citizen who is a non-Muslim, to trust a Muslim. That
> is an individual freedom and therefore, views expressed in accordance with
> that are fine.
>
> The larger problem of conversions has two other aspects to look at. First is
> how come these conversions are taking place, and secondly, as to why these
> conversions are taking place. If somebody wants, please take up research on
> it. But don't just blame missionaries for conversion, for if I don't wish to
> convert, how come a Christian missionary or a Muslim mulla can convert me
> against my own will?
>
> Regards
>
> Rakesh
>