Religious persecution in India: are you sure? By Basilio Monteiro
I would like to offer a few random (not exhaustive) thoughts for consideration about the complex issue of "religious persecution" in India. It is a sensitive and provocative issue. Of course, a few Catholic priests and nuns get killed, and that is painfully sad; the murder of a priest or a nun in the hands of a non-catholic is not necessarily an act of persecution. Let me be upfront: there is religious DISCRIMINATION in India; No doubt, religion has been and continues to be an element of exploitation in the hands of the "exploiters of power" (inside the religionists' as well as political camps). A long view of history teaches us that normally and mostly behind the apparent "religious" attacks are the smoldering social and/or economic issues. But social and economic issues are difficult to be articulated in a neat and easy-to-swallow packages or memes. So religion is an easy invocation. Easy to ignite... And fire up the simple folks into a mindless spree of mayhem, destruction and pillage. I do not claim to have done any field study about any recent "religious persecution;" however, I happen to have some very thoughtful, mature, and well-tempered minds and eyes on various locations in India. I did consult them on a number of cases reported as "religious persecution." The real story is complex. However, none can be easily classified as "religious persecution," despite apparent religious elements, and severe protestations by some NGOs. One thing must be stated: the religious leaders of the traditional Christians (Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, etc.) by and large live in the communities where they work not as "outsiders" but as sons and daughters of the soil fully invested as citizens of the land. They have, mostly, excellent relationship with people on the ground regardless of religion; the services and employment opportunities offered by these institutions are highly valued. They do not proselytize (the last time it happened was 60 years ago). The people in these communities regardless of their religion do not feel threatened by these co-religionists, and they live in harmony. The members of the religious communities and the individuals associated with them live in their midst. They are not fly by night operators. Their brick and mortar institutions are part of the local economy and local value. An unfortunate phenomenon rising in the couple of decades is the transient presence of the evangelicals in the villages for the sole and exclusive purpose to "baptize" and thus "save" the people (including Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans...). After the fragrant act of "baptizing" these individuals leave the community, and move to other greener pastures. Understandably the local community gets outraged by this "invasion" (I would be to). In the process and heightened anger the poor folks cannot distinguish between the Cross of traditional Christians and the symbols of the evangelical Christianity... They all look the same... Much can be written about this. There are economic tensions in almost every village throughout the country. The Catholic Church, among many other services, provides education; education transforms people’s life. Education provides economic opportunities. The Catholic Church also provides education in English, which is the language of upward economic mobility. The language of instruction is an issue of serious political contentions in many parts of the country, which often times is the source of many of these tensions. Good education is a do-or-die situation for economic success. A recent study in Maharashtra showed that those with English instruction earned 30% more than those in vernacular medium. In some places certain groups non-privileged by the larger society have benefited from Catholic Church educational system. This creates tension, and some exploit these tensions. Indians in the villages, by and large, remain illiterate, and thus become convenient tools in the hands of unscrupulous politicians. Religion for these good folks is the only thing that keeps them together and gives them a sense of meaning in their misery. They can be easily roused up by using and manipulating what is very dear and near to them. When "churches" are burned and "Christians" killed, many NGOs automatically view that as PERSECUTION." I have a serious problem with these NGOs - supposedly dedicated to fight these persecutions. The folks who run these NGOs obviously are good meaning people with their heart in the right place. However, they lack the intellectual wherewithal to do a thorough analysis of the tensions and of the unfortunate events of the ensuing violence. The appeal for money to support their cause/activities and their own salaries depend, unfortunately, on riling people up about PERSECUTION. Persecution is a powerful word, which when strategically deployed can evoke visceral irrational reactions. NGOs in general have done a great deal of good to a whole lot of people. Many NGOs started by good meaning individuals. However, the continued existence of many of these NGOs and the continued employment of a number of people working there depends in perpetuating the perception of the problem, by creating undue alarm about the issues that usually would be considered as social skirmishes. To label these skirmishes as religious persecution is tragically painful. It hurts the society.... Unfortunately the most vociferous voices -as this GX list illustrates - are of those who are ill-informed, ill-tempered, and simply cantankerous individuals. To make an accusation of religious persecution is a serious charge. The accusation itself has serious social consequences for a community in particular and the country in general. I noticed that one of these NGOs in India have influenced a Christian ecumenical organization. I am very weary of these alliances with some so called "Christian Churches." Any "Church" exclusively and preferentially focused on proselytizing is to be seriously concerned about. Just because one calls itself Christian does not necessarily mean we have to embrace them uncritically in the fold of Christian ecumenism. The cheap cry of "religious persecution" in India must not come on the fly. The irresponsible talk of “religious persecution” has very serious consequences. India has lived for millennia harmoniously and engagingly with a whole range of FAITHS. That there are occasional flare ups amongst its 1.1 billion brethren is not a surprise, and that is the end of harmony among its citizens... It may be helpful to all to travel into the villages of India and experience warm hospitality and authentic generosity of the poorest of the poor, who DO know their faith differences, yet they graciously embrace humanity - as I was privileged over the years in the deep of Raipur, Ludhiana, Bhatinda, Haryanna, Jaipur....Jharkand, Bhopal, etc... Basilio Monteiro
