4 ms·

Please don't make claims that are backed by your anecdotal experience of noticing people attending churches. I find this ridiculous. Though I don't deny there h

by j0e1 8y ago

Please don't make claims that are backed by your anecdotal experience of noticing people attending churches. I find this ridiculous. Though I don't deny there have been such cases reported in the past, to say some groups attend church because of money is unfounded and adds fuel to the fire by worsening the already tense religious atmosphere [1] the Modi govt. has created and based its campaign on. I really wish the govt would show more interest in the plight of the 'lower' caste rather than just seeing them as a vote bank. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/24/india-modi-religious-freedom-tolerance https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/24/india-modi-rel...

Ar-Curunir 8y ago
Evangelicals absolutely do target poorer communities in non-Western countries across the world, this has been the modus operandi of Christianity for the last 3+ centuries. This strategy went hand-in-hand with colonialism, with both being things that were "good" for the uncivilized natives. As for evidence of conversions for money/material goods, here's a couple of links for you to browse at your own pace: https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-meerut-priest-tries-to-convert-17-hindus-into-christianity-by-offering-money-arrested-2626908/ https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-meerut-priest-tries-to... https://amp.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/15/they-use-money-to-promote-christianity-nepal-battle-for-souls https://amp.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/15/t... https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4470448 https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4470448 https://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/conversion-a-new-breed-of-evangelical-groups-that-are-like-hyper-growth-startups/ https://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/con...
- rightoven 8y ago
  I agree that this is Christianity's modus operandi, but I think the roots go back much further than colonialism. Back in Rome Christianity was first taken up by slaves and peasants because they liked it's ideology of all men being equal under God. "The meek shall inherit the Earth" and all that. In a country where traditional religion includes a rigorous caste system I bet it's very tempting to be converted to Christianity.
  - naruvimama 8y ago
    "where traditional religion includes a rigorous caste system" - The word caste originates from Portuguese. The Indian "caste" system was established by the British population survey and race scientists who wanted to divide the population into various classes as existed in Europe at the time. The Indian "Jati"system is similar to English/German family names based on profession like Mason, Smith, Carpenter or Schumacher. The Indian "Varna" system is similar to the separation of the church and the state but included merchants. It was guidelines rather than a hard and fast rule. A new population of untouchables/Dalits were created by the "Criminal tribes Act" that outlawed people by birth. It is true that caste divisions and inequalities are a reality today but the solution lies in free market & economic development/mobility. This isn't something specific to India alone all ex-colonies like Rwanda, Syria .. have a minority ruling elite coopted by the colonist and the "others". The Indian "Jaati" system itself was much more flexible and mobile compared to the European class system. The church has been so successful with this narrative that today the most prominent caste clashes and segregation is in the Christian population.

by j0e1 8y ago

Ar-Curunir 8y ago

Evangelicals absolutely do target poorer communities in non-Western countries across the world, this has been the modus operandi of Christianity for the last 3+ centuries. This strategy went hand-in-hand with colonialism, with both being things that were "good" for the uncivilized natives. As for evidence of conversions for money/material goods, here's a couple of links for you to browse at your own pace: https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-meerut-priest-tries-to-convert-17-hindus-into-christianity-by-offering-money-arrested-2626908/ https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-meerut-priest-tries-to... https://amp.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/15/they-use-money-to-promote-christianity-nepal-battle-for-souls https://amp.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/aug/15/t... https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4470448 https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4470448 https://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/conversion-a-new-breed-of-evangelical-groups-that-are-like-hyper-growth-startups/ https://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/con...

rightoven 8y ago
I agree that this is Christianity's modus operandi, but I think the roots go back much further than colonialism. Back in Rome Christianity was first taken up by slaves and peasants because they liked it's ideology of all men being equal under God. "The meek shall inherit the Earth" and all that. In a country where traditional religion includes a rigorous caste system I bet it's very tempting to be converted to Christianity.
- naruvimama 8y ago
  "where traditional religion includes a rigorous caste system" - The word caste originates from Portuguese. The Indian "caste" system was established by the British population survey and race scientists who wanted to divide the population into various classes as existed in Europe at the time. The Indian "Jati"system is similar to English/German family names based on profession like Mason, Smith, Carpenter or Schumacher. The Indian "Varna" system is similar to the separation of the church and the state but included merchants. It was guidelines rather than a hard and fast rule. A new population of untouchables/Dalits were created by the "Criminal tribes Act" that outlawed people by birth. It is true that caste divisions and inequalities are a reality today but the solution lies in free market & economic development/mobility. This isn't something specific to India alone all ex-colonies like Rwanda, Syria .. have a minority ruling elite coopted by the colonist and the "others". The Indian "Jaati" system itself was much more flexible and mobile compared to the European class system. The church has been so successful with this narrative that today the most prominent caste clashes and segregation is in the Christian population.