Santosh Helekar: Despite its name, the CSF is not a secular forum. It is a Catholic propaganda outfit as much as the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is a Hindu propaganda outfit. So it is understandable that it would want to point out the flaws in the Hindu religion, and offer the Christian gospel as the answer. Sandesh appears to be a devout Hindu who is understandably offended by the anti-Hindu propaganda of CSF. He is lashing out against the CSF in response, and may also be overly paranoid about his fellow Hindus being converted to Christianity.
Response: 1.As usual Santosh tends to exaggerate, mislead and obfuscate issues. In no way can the CSF be compared or equated with the HJS. I have yet to see one provocative article inciting hate or violence against any religion. Neither have I come across any hate literature or propaganda espoused by it like the HJS. If Santosh has come across any, I would request him to provide the links. The worst that can be said about the CSF is that sometimes it goes overboard and tends to over-react to minor and inconsequential issues like that of calling for a ban on the Da Vince Code movie or more recently A R Rahman's song which contains the word 'Hosanna". It has been playing an exemplary role in highlighting acts of hate and violence against the Christian community which generally go unnoticed in the secular media. Unlike the CSF, the HJS/ SS has been involved in terrorist activities and is currently being considered for being banned by the security forces and government. 2. I went through the article in question. Nowhere does it point out any flaw in the Hindu religion. In fact, it offers hope to those whom society has cast away. For those conversant or familiar with the Bible, there is the living example of Mary Magdalene and the prostitute who was saved by Christ from being stoned. Propagating one's religion is no crime. There is no anti-Hindu propaganda as Santosh states. I quote from the article- "A devadasis who discovers a relationship with Christ becomes a powerful witness in her community, according to one Christian worker. These new lives in Christ become witnesses against the practice that enslaved them and for the Savior who set them free. The worker describes it like the woman at the well who, once she realizes she's talking to Jesus, goes out telling all other women about Him. Many Christian workers are sharing the Gospel message with these victimized women, equipping them, empowering them, mentoring them, training them and discipling them. They are bringing light to souls that have known only darkness their entire lives. http://persecutedchurch.info/2012/02/11/the-gospel-provides-powerful-hope-for-indias-temple-prostitutes/ 3. Further, Sandesh's response was against the Church and conversion and not against the CSF as Santosh would like to mislead us. I quote Sandesh 'in the end the motive of the Church is always to convert (as always)...'. Unfortunately, the false propaganda unleashed by the hindutva forces has taken root in the minds of ordinary people like Sandesh. The word conversion has been somehow given a negative meaning. Proselytising is done by all religions and even atheists. Has anyone seen the Hare Rama, Hare Krishna worshippers. I have seen them in Bombay, Poona, Delhi and even in Russia where they dance and pray in public and distribute their literature. change. As far as I can see the CSF post was pretty innocuous. I am left wondering why it elecited such a response from Sandesh. Regards, Marshall --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
