Persecution Index 11: Orissa

One of the biggest waves of anti-Christian violence for some years is currently sweeping through the state of Orissa in India. Websites and blogs from the area have for many months been reporting deaths, mainly of Dalits or low-caste Indians, and thousands fleeing for their lives. But as sites here are reporting now, the persecuction is reaching a new intensity. The All Indian Christian Council has this today: 'The situation in Orissa's riot-hit Kandhamal district continues to be volatile on 02 September 2008 with at least 80 houses being torched in fresh violence.' And our own Lapido Media is carrying a report that  eight churches have been burned down and 15 Christians murdered by Hindu extremists.

Anglican Mainstream has set up a fund for donations to aid agencies in the area and reports this: 'As of September 1st, over 50,000 people have been displaced; 300 villages attacked; over 4000 homes totally destroyed; 10000 people who fled into the forest are still hiding there waiting to get into relief camps; 13000 are now in relief camps; 20 bodies have been recovered and more bodies are found each day.' The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has written privately to Joel Dal, Moderator of North India, calling for an end to the violence. The conflict is on Google News as well.

Although there has been persecution of Christians in the province for months, with 21 Christian missionaries killed last year, the latest violence appears to be reprisals for the murder of a prominent Hindu leader, although reports suggest that this murder was perpetrated by militant Maoists, not Christians.

A senior Vatican cardinal has also commented strongly, according to this report today. Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Secretary for Relations with States for the Holy See, said at a conference that 'Christianophobia' must be countered as strongly as anti-Semitism. Referring to the latests attacks in Orissa, he warned that fear and hatred of Christians and Christianity is taking hold around the world.

The Cardinal Mamberti told the conference, Protection and the Right to Religious Freedom, in northern Italy, 'In order to promote this dignity in an integral way, so-called Christianophobia should be combated as decisively as Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.'  Mamberti said it was a paradox that Christians were not guaranteed the same freedoms granted to other religions, and he suggested there was a sort of 'hierarchy of intolerances'.

I have to agree with him. It doesn't take much to imagine the international response were this happening to Muslims or Hindus in a state with a Christian majority.

IBNLive has this report:

I also found this rather moving.

Comments

[jan]

and still it goes on 4 weeks later
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7634958.stm
Orissa has seen anti-Christian violence for several weeks. At least 20 people, mostly Christians, were killed after a Hindu religious leader was shot dead.
About 20 houses were attacked in the Shankarakhol area and at least three churches were burnt in Simanbadi on Wednesday,

[Merseymike]

I agree with Kate's points made above. I think what we do need to remember is that there are a number of examples of conversions en masse to both Buddhism and Christianity in India by Dalits and it appears to be this, rather than Christianity nor Buddhism itself, which spurs on the small minority of Hindu extremists.

[Rick Beekman]

George;
How are you today?
When it comes to describing what is a "Christian"; There are two-types. (1) "Pseudo" Christians (2) Real Christians.

The first group claim to be Christians. They may attend Church on a Regular basis and they listen to watered-down Preaching from Dull People. The Churches they attend read selected portions of God's Word and refuse The rest of said Word. They belong to The very Churches which are a Mixture of Pagan Beleifs..Part Christianity...Old Testament Customs..And are Politically Active may I add as well.
These are the Churches Who have been heavily involved in Wars..Killing those who oppose their false Doctrines Edicts and Teachings.
The RCC as we all know has a long and bloody history with the "Crusades" "The Inqusistion" among their most famous.
These are the Folks who give true Christianity an evil name.
Real Christians are more interested in serving God..are usually Pacifists..don't start street demonstrations or generally rather stay out of the Limelight. We Pray We teach we learn etc.
Hope this possibly clarifies what I deem is real Christianity. Have A great Day George. If I Cross The Pond Someday I'll let you know..you can show me around the U.K. Deal??!!

[Kate]

This is distressing and shocking news. I have travelled extensively in India over 20 years and have enjoyed the hospitality of, humane and spiritual Hindu, Sikh and Christian friends.

Hindu Nationalists have been guilty (in the poorest states) of fomenting horrific sectarian and caste attacks - primarily against Muslims, but also, to a lesser extent, Dalits who convert. That said, it is important to point out that attacks on established Christian communities are very rare.

The violence in Orissa is located in a history of invasion and ruthless 'conversion'; centuries of conquest, exploitation and neglect, including neglect from central government. Illiteracy is very high but the oral tradition strong. A history of millions of Hindus exterminated (or forcibly converted) to Islam is rehearsed.

So too, the later European colonisation which brought Christian missionaries as 'energetic' in compulsion as Islam; in particular, RC priests.

The latter were resisted in Orissa by Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists alike. One of the prime motivations for the 1857 Indian Mutiny was the experience and fear of further forced religious conversions.

Context and culture IS important. Rajasthani (pop 58 million is 89% Hindu); I have stayed with both Rajput (Hindu) and Sikh families, and was, on two occasions accompanied to the Church of North India Anglican service in Jaipur.

While an attempt was made to introduce an anti-conversion law in Rajasthan in 2006, solely to inhibit the proselytising activities of missionary Christians, it was rejected by state parliament.

The Rajput fought hard against Muslim conversion and many thousands died. Later, though allied with the British in routing Islam, and still proud of that allegiance, the majority resisted Christian conversion.

Goa, colonised by the Portuguese and robustly 'converted' by Jesuits, exhibits no evidence of historical resentment. Roman Catholics are approx 30% of the population - Hindus 66%. I have stayed with both Catholic and Hindu families and marvelled at the dedication to education; Goa enjoys a high level of literacy (83%). Islam in Goa, is, as elsewhere, self-segregating.

Also Kerala, economically poor but 100% literate, and socially integrated. It has some of the oldest Christian communities in India - 25% are Christian i.e. Roman Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Marthoma Syrians and the Anglican Church of South India.

I have listened to Hindus in Kerala lament the migration of their Jewish neighbours to Israel. Jewish communities have existed there for at least 1,000 years. There is no history of Jewish persecution except from European colonisers.

Hindus perceive similarities in "personality and religious belief" between Jews and Hindus. Identification with a capacity for hard work and scholarship; appreciation that neither Hinduism nor Judaism seek converts.

In the north east, Mizoram and Nagaland are 83% Protestant, and mainly (to my great surprise) Presbyterian. Again education is highly prized, literacy rates stand at 91%.

It is sensationalist and wrong to claim: "A vast majority of Hindus wish to curtail the rights of Christians in India." (Brian on: 'A'b Rowan ... gay sex' thread).

Everywhere I stayed, I was taken to Anglican service by Hindu, Sikh and Christian friends. At no point have I detected antagonism towards Christians.

Today, an email from Bangalore explained that Christian 'mission' is now focussed on Dalits (untouchables). In agricultural areas where the caste system is rigid - those with 'nothing' need to believe others are even less - and rural Dalits see conversion as their means of social mobility.

While the removal of the idea of untouchables was a cornerstone of Gandhi's beliefs and resulted in affirmative action after independence, it has been relatively slow and urban.

Dalits are now employed in government posts and management; places in schools and universities are reserved for members of what is still referred to as "backwards" castes but rural Dalits have been largely overlooked.

India in size and demographics is overwhelming; as is the poverty AND the millions of children and young people in primary, secondary and tertiary education. I think it is very important we do not rush to condemn millions of Hindus as colluding with the actions of the few.

There is freedom of worship and equality of citizenship in India for Christians. It is a secular democracy with a majority Hindu population. There is no comparison with the human rights abuses and regularity of attack on individuals and churches experienced in neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Many Indians - Hindu and Christian - would prefer Christian churches to 'minister' rather than proselytise. One wise man writes of the "value of attraction rather than muscular promotion".

[George Parr]

Rick; your examples are obvious to most people, but do you believe that Christians have been exempt historically from carrying our unutterable violence, stoning others to death for their beliefs, assassinating their opponents or carrying our murderous crusades on a grand scale?

[j]

Definitely Theo- especially as that describes my personal situation.

[Theo Dexter]

J

“All I mean is, I feel the same sympathy for victims of other faiths as well.”

I share your concerns and sentiments and am sure you will agree if I add – and those of no faith as well.

[j]

Theo, you misunderstand me. I do realise that they are victims of religious persecution on a dreadful scale. I think it is absiolutely appalling. All I mean is, I feel the same sympathy for victims of other faiths as well.

[Theo Dexter]

J

It is not a bit like that - it is more like the following

The plane lands. The British Citizens are separated from the rest of the passengers and simply because they are British are shot.

[j]

Appallingly sad when innocent people are massacred.

But I dont need the fact that these are Christians to prompt my sympathy- it's a bit like being told there has been a terrible plane crash "but no British citizens were involved" so that's all right then.

[Rick Beekman]

Christians have been under persecution starting with the crucifixtion of Jesus.
If you read the BOok of Acts You'll see Apostle Stephen was stoned to Death. Apostle Paul and Silas were beaten and put in a Roman Jail etc etc.
Jesus warned the Apostles that they would be hated by all nations for his name's sake.
Nothing has changed since then. Down through the centuries Even some "Christian" religions and churches had Bible-Beleiving Christians burned to death to rid them. The AnaBaptists and others are excellent Examples. A Great Book which Exposes This is; "Foxe's Book of Marytrs".

[alan]

Here we go again - religion at work. Thank god I'm an atheist.

[Theo Dexter]

There is more on this at “Open Doors” UK/news. Scroll down as page is regularly updated.

Let us pray that peace and harmony is established and suffering eased.

[S. Harvey]

India is a democratic country and these people have rights. Where are their representatives? More to the point, where is their compensation?

[Phil Martin]

As Christians we need to do our best to bring this into the spotlight as there seems to be a dearth of attention in the national and international media. It looks as though the aggressors are using the murder of a Hindu leader under spurious circumstances (probably by Maoists) as an excuse to vent deeply held and long standing hatred of the Christian community.

Let's make sure we hold them in our prayers.