Does Louisiana's new Catholic governor spell hope for his Hindu homeland?
The Times-Picayune had a lengthy profile last week of Louisiana's new Gov. Bobby Jindal that focused on the India native's conversion to Catholicism and the role that has played in his political ascent.
When Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal converted to Catholicism during high school and college, he took a momentous step away from his inherited faith of Hinduism, the prevalent religion of his parents' generation and Indian homeland.
But among Jindal's relatives and among Hindus in India generally, his decision to adopt the Christian way is strongly supported.
Jindal's personal path to Christianity, which had politically significant ramifications for Louisiana, was aided by an open-minded attitude among his relatives about theology. Also, he visited India infrequently as a child, giving him little chance to acquire the deeply ingrained appreciation for Hindu culture that comes from exposure to daily life in that country.
His relatives' perspective reflects a tolerant side of a religion that for thousands of years has survived philosophical transformations, rebellious counter-religions and numerous sects, only to claim them all in time as part of the infinitely flexible cosmos of Hindu faith.
"If you find and see that you get more peace of mind, more solace, in that religion, then why not change religion?" said Jindal's uncle Subhash Gupta, a practicing Hindu. "In India, many people change to the Christian religion. And I can understand that some people maybe find Christian religion more satisfying to their needs."
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Although the relatives' opinions might seem magnanimous, their views are typically Hindu. India's large-circulation national newspapers viewed Jindal's election as front-page news, and for the most part his conversion to Catholicism was not commented upon negatively. Indian criticism of Jindal instead has centered on his infrequent visits and seeming lack of interest in his parents' home country.
The Indian national figure Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu so famous his image appears on most Indian currency, espoused religious tolerance because he believed there were many paths to God, so long as an individual was sincere in the pursuit of the divine way.
When asked about Jindal, Pandit Deoki Nandan Shastri, a Hindu holy man in Varanasi, made a similar point.
"Hindu is not a religion," he said. "Hinduism is a way of life."
"You pray to Christ, I pray to Rama, he prays to Mohammad," he said. "We are going the same way. God is one. His name is called a thousand names."
Sadly, such a liberal perspective is not universal in India, where Hindu fundamentalists poignantly remind the world that "religious extremist" is not just a code word for Islamic terrorist. Remember the Gujarat anti-Muslim pogrom five years ago that left 2,000 people dead, including a woman who's fetus was proudly ripped from her womb by this guy.
The fervency of Hindu nationalism is no secret; it helped gave birth to Pakistan and later Bangladesh. And India has had quite the history of violence against Christians, which sprang up again last month.
On Christmas Eve, violence broke out against Christians in the Kandhamal district of the eastern Indian state of Orissa, which has become well known for poor governance and class tensions. Hindu fundamentalist groups led by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP, the World Hindu Council) have attacked Christians and their institutions at will in rural areas. Over 90 churches and Christian institutions have been burned and vandalized, over 700 Christian homes destroyed, and the number of pastors and Christians killed is yet to be known, according to a report by my colleagues in the All India Christian Council. A pastor in Chennai told me that 11 pastors have been killed and thousands of Dalit (formerly known as untouchable) Christians displaced. Compass Direct reports that the death count is at 9. Many people are missing, and others have vanished in the nearby forests.
Human Rights Watch and others have decried the present carnage in Orissa and have recognized that freedom of religious choice - especially in a democracy like India's - must be respected. The Prime Minister promised immediate action to restore peace in the state. But the affected areas are still reporting sporadic violence over two weeks since the attacks against Dalit Christians began.
Despite reports that Christians retaliated in some places, so far Dalit Freedom Network investigations and statements by the Orissa government indicate that Maoist rebels - called Naxalites - were behind the revenge attacks that left dozens of Hindu families homeless. Most Naxalites are armed Dalits, and their involvement gives evidence of the root problem: ancient caste divisions.
The author of this article was Joseph D'Souza, whom I interviewed a few months ago for an article about the plight of the Dalits -- who dwell beneath the bottom of India's cast system -- that will appear in the February issue of this magazine.
One of the biggest forms of discrimination meted out by the government is that Dalits who convert to Christianity or Islam lose their welfare eligibility. The same is not true if they converted to Buddhism or Sikhism. This often causes a dual identity.
"They will have their Hindu or pre-Christian indentity, sometimes keeping their Hindu name, because there is affirmative action and if they want to have the benefits of that, they cannot use their Christian name," Robert Eric Frykenberg, professor emeritus of history and South Asian studies at the University of Wisconsin, told me.
This article was cross-posted at The God Blog.
Posted by Brad Greenberg on January 14, 2008 3:36PM
Comments
what a joke
bobby jindal's father is member of the overseas association of bjp in the united states..
lol.. Mr.Jindal converted to get elected. Thats it.
lol.
Posted by: John Soros at January 14, 2008
Pakistan and Bangla Desh were created because of Muslim fervency NOT HINDU FERVENCY, as you erroneously claim. If you read history of the Indian partition you will see that it is clearly indicated.
Hinduism tolerance is what Jindal's relatives have shown in Jindal's conversion. The anti Christian violence in India, however, is due to the Christian's taking advantage of Hindu tolerance. Under the guise of social service, Human rights, etc. etc. Christians are using deception, bribes, and coercion to convert Hindus to Christiantiy. The recent violence started when Christians in Orissa built a big Christian eve struture in front of the Hindu temple, in an attempt to aggressively intimidate Hindus to convert. On top of that an 80 year old HIndu priest was attacked by Christians.
This is what led to Hindus to defend themselves against this christian aggression.
It is unfortunate, that magazines like yours are spreading the christian propaganda against Hindu religion to harvest souls.
There is an easy way to stop all Hindu christian conflict in India, and that is to stop christians from evangelising in India. If this is not done willingly, then it will happen unwillingly.
Posted by: phil at January 15, 2008
John,
Speak from what you know, please. I live here - Jindal converted at 18. His is a strong, public Christian faith that influences his political life, not the other way. In fact, some of the earliest attack ads run in the mostly Protestant northern half of the state pulled brief excerpts from some papers he wrote that laid out fundamental Catholic doctrine, in hopes of dividing the state's electorate.
Cynicism is fine, but again, speak from what you know.
Posted by: scott at January 15, 2008
I know little of India, but I know that if a conversion is coerced, it is not conversion.
Posted by: Rita Nolan at January 15, 2008
The article by this writer, is meant for the ignorance of Western mind who has no idea about India or any other country...
Lies amid sweet words indeed have great impact on the readers and for those readers who are not rightly informed, they are going to sucked into it.
Phil pointed out what the blunders this writer has indulged in and this exposes what sort of quality or trust can be placed on the articles of this writer.....
True to its name " Christianity today"...you have a mission to Redeem souls like me, from the darkest pits of hell.....who see, know and understand truth undiluted by the smoke screen of propaganda..
Every tom, dick, and harry gets to write anything...he likes....
Search for the truth................. and you will get it.........Believe no one except your conscious borne out of human evolution and base it upon logic and reason...
Truth Alon Triumphs
Regards
Ranganath varma,24, Hindu.......A witness and a victim to so called Catholic Charity which is nothing but discrimination at the highest level, charity reserved for only christians.........When I was 18 years old.......I got enlightenment of what Christian organizations indulge in...
Posted by: Ranganath at January 16, 2008
Brad Greenburg's post on Jindal when he refers to him being a Christian just to get elected is totally false. What does he know?
I know for a fact that he is a true believer and ambassador for Christ. I've heard his testimony. I've met him. I've spent time with him. He is not using Christianity as a political stepping stone. He is just telling the truth of what he believes.
Furthermore the scripture verse in Revelation 12:11 is the key and that convinces me enough he is honest in his walk.
Grace and Peace to you!
Posted by: Rick Johnson at January 17, 2008
I agree with Mr. Brad Greenberg 100 %. In India, religious
minorities are systematically tortured. Although, India is said to
be a secular country , the truth is, she is overwhelmingly fundamentalist. Babri Mosque was destroyed in Ayoddha and Indian
government did nothing to stop it. BJP and its followers removed brick after brick from the mosque; although police were standing right in front of the mosque, but not doing anything. And not to mention, systematic killing and burning of Christian people and churches.Fact of the matter is, Hindu people are VERY much intollerant of other religion. I am not saying all , but majority
of them.
"The fervency of Hindu nationalism is no secret" - this statement is absolutely true. Moslems were already feeling oppressed and economically exploited by their Hindu counterparts before the partition. They understood if they remain with Hindus, they will always be oppressed and exploited economically.70 - 80% of the population was Hindu, only 10 % was Moslem. And that was the main reason for Pakistan to be created.
I am from Indian sub-contitent. I feel really good and proud about Bobby Jindal's winning in this race. But i am sure, his convertion to christianity does n't make Hindus in India happy at all. That's the bottom line.
This is my 14th year in America, i found Americans to be more open minded and tolerant about other religion, which is absolutely remarkeble . This single chrecteristic is so important for world peace. That's why, Indians has lot to learn from Americans. In most part of Indian sub-continent, people are tormented due to religious tension between Hindu-Moslem or Hindu-Christian . Even in Indian movies, you can see that reflection of tension among different religious sectors. Now a days : BJP and other religious Hindu groups targeted Hindi movies to deliver their fundamentalist views, beliefs and messages to the audience, which is simply terrifying. As a Christian minority , i am always in constant fear of religious torture and persecution. I remember, BJP used to say , they would make India - a Hindu nation if they were elected.
As an Indian American , i think truth shall always be prevailed.That's why, I compelled to tell you my experience in India.Once again , congrats to Bobby Jindal and i pray he fulfils his promises. Amen.
( Adam Costa )
Posted by: Adam Costa at January 18, 2008
I met the man that privatelly met with Bobby Jindal every day to become a christian. HE told us to pray for him every day.
Posted by: John at February 22, 2008
As a Catholic missionary who has worked in India for 30 YEARS. I can tell you India is exponentially MORE tolerant then Muslim countries. Get of your couch and talk to Christian missionaries who have attempted spreading their message in Muslim countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia etc.. You will find that the penalty for spreading any religion other than Islam in Muslim countries is DEATH. I dare any one of you to carry Christian literature in your carry-on luggage to a Muslim counry. You won't do it because your afraid what happened to those South Korean Christian missionaries in Afghanistan will happen to you. Talk to Iraqi Christians and Iranian Jews and Sudanese Christians who are fleeing for their lives.
While things are not perfect in India. I find that the relatively few acts of violence directed at Chrisians are socio-economic rather than communal. For example a few Hindu fisherman are given new fishing nets by some overseas Evangelical group in exchange for conversion. As result they catch more fish than the other fisherman who stayed Hindu. As a result a violent clash breaks out and some of the new converts are killed along with the Hindu fisherman. The two groups did not clash over a theological point. You can see that the underlying cause was not religious. It was economic.
Thats why we Catholics don't use this approach. Thats why most Caste Hindus REVERE Mother Teresa AND her organization. We must understand why there is fear of Protestant Evangelical Christianity. You will find that Indians are far more tolerant of Catholics and Syrian Christians. We Catholics tend to do good works without proactively converting. I find this approach attracts converts like bees to pollen.
I have learned a lot from Hindus like tricks on how to fast without pangs. How to get more energy. How not to give in to vices. We must approach Hindus with respect because they look down on Christianity as an incomplete religion.
What many Indians fear is the loose morals that Christianiy is associated with. When I first arrived in India one Indian asked why Western women wore bikinis on the beach. I told him that the human body is beautiful and there is nothing wrong with it. He just laughed and walked away. By my comment he was probably lost to Christianity forever. Over time I realized that we Christians must accomodate the conservative mores of the Indians if we want to convert them. They don't want the high divorce rate and lascivious permissive culture of the Christian West. They do not believe in the casual pre-marital sex of the Christian West. Most marriages in India are still arranged with out any dating. In India you can actually watch T.V with your children without having to explain some sex joke or sex innuendo every minute. In India the Christians tend to have the loosest morals. Kissing has only recently been allowed in Indian movies. They just do not understand why pornography and strip clubs are LEGAL in the Christian West. UNFORTUNATELY HINDUS WATCH WHAT YOU DO AND NOT WHAT YOU SAY. They ask me how I can be a religious preacher when I am divorced and I drink alcohol (occasional beer). Kerala which has the largest Christian population and is known for having the most promiscuous women. India very much resembles Victorian England in terms of conservatism and prudishness with and an added Old Testament sense of the world order. Caste Hindus revere their parents more than God LITERALLY. This is something the average Evangelical Christian just doesn't get because in the west children are told to be proud of their independence when they turn 18 and leave their parents which is why we have a nursing home culture.
When I tell Hindus my mom is in a nursing home they get disgusted and turned off. So now I avoid mentioning that. You must realize that most caste Hindus are very proud of what they call their Vedic heritage and they think India is special ritually pure country (Karma Bhoomi) where religious acts can have an optimal effeect. Too this day most Hindu pontiffs refuse to cross the ocean out of fear of ritual contamination. With their emphasis on ritual purity many caste Hindus resemble Jews. For thousands of years Vedic Hindu society has looked down at 'Mlecchas' which means barbarian and is their word for foreigners. Read about Xavier Francis' trials and tribulations in India. Caste Hindus literally thought the Portugese, Dutch and British were hiding tails under their coats.
The problem with Evangelical Christians is they target the dregs of society (with all their abhorrent habits) for conversion. So christians get associated with all the loose morals of those dregs (drinking, promiscuity etc.). In my opinion after working for thirty years in India I think the trashy reputation of Evangelical Christians makes it impossible for them to convert India into a Christian country. Caste Hindus simply feel Hinduism offers more for their kids and themselves whereas Christianity is viewed as too loose with no rules or rituals
Posted by: Paul at May 26, 2008
John,
You hit the nail on the head. I am a Hindu - Hinduism offers me the freedom to believe in whatever I want to. As a Hindu I do NOT have any problem revering Mother Teresa. Christ was a Saint. I attended a Catholic school. I can pray in a temple or a church or a mosque BUT I will always remain a Hindu. Hinduism gives me the tools to 'think' and be truly spiritual and not get caught in 'my God is the best' kind of logic.
There is no reason to convert...is there?
Heemal
Posted by: Heemal at October 14, 2008
I am from India.Christianity is a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ which can never be accomplished by co-erced conversion as made out by radicals groups in India.It is a personal decision to follow christ irrespective of background and does not need an external conversion but a simple conviction in one's heart.To know the claims of Christ one must delve into the Word of God the BIBLE and with a simple child like faith ask God to reveal himself to you.You would be amazed at the way you would find the word of God actually respond back to you as if speaking directly to your life and heart and once you are convicted of it being true you simply follow it.I have come to believe and follow Christ as a result of this personal conviction and no forced co-ersion and so are others.God does not look at converting people externally but internally through one's heart.I am covinced that Mr.Jindal converted due to personal conviction and rightfully so.God Bless HIM.
Posted by: Nina at November 25, 2008
before Independence organized Christian missionaries used their ruling power to convert. After our freedom missionaries came in stating that they were converting the downtrodden. Most of the money for the conversion came from US through evagalical chirstians. Now they go around the coastal areas by bribing and raise funds from overseas by showing TV clips. Please take a look at S. America where the Spainards converted the countries wiped the local culture and civalization. Indian culture was way before Christianity and many beleiove that Jesus came to India (Kashmir) and spent time with Buddists and learned Easter philospoht before going back to mideast. Please so called chritians " Hassle not they neighbors and leave them to themselves" Bluntly, mind your own business and be a better christians. Note, it took 2000 yrs for pope to apologize to the jews and now look at the scandal in the church with molesting of children.
Posted by: Paul Pandian at June 21, 2010
Has anybody seen the God, Allah or Hindu God in there lifetime. PLEASE TELL ME, Then why we want to make other people to belive in christanity or islam or hinduism. Why we want to belive other people to believe?????
AGIAN has anybody seen GOD, please say some body yes!
Otherwise no discussioon
Posted by: Sukh at July 30, 2010
As a US citizen who has lived in India, I have personally seen the mass poverty and widespread clinging of most Indians to a tradition of idol worship or Eastern philosophy. I am familiar with Indian culture. I would like to share some random thoughts.
As a Christian, I agree that the Bible does say to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," which may account for the above-lauded "tolerance" for other religions in the USA.
Also, as a Christian I support Christian missionaries who ideally are in other countries to spread the Gospel-- in obedience to a direct commandment of Christ to His disciples. That is not to say that missionaries or Christians are by any means without hypocrisy and wrong behavior in their midst. There is also hypocrisy and every evil work to be found in the lives of every single member of the other religion on earth!
The difference is, we are all offered God's promises of blessings and salvation, in this life and the world to come, if we pursue Christ and belief in him as the only way to God. Recall Christ's clear words to us all as recorded in the book of John: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father (God) except by ME. True Christian believers devote their lives to the commandment of Jesus to spread the Gospel which include His words that He is the only way to God.
I have found in my 50+ years that the people who are so rabidly anti-Christian are themselves choosing to focus ONLY on the unperfected Christians who have the advantage of having accepted Christ as their Lord, an offer by God to all who will accept Jesus, and thereby are afforded a way of forgiveness.
It all boils down to what the Bible says, that the natural man cannot understand the things of God. It takes a mind that is spiritually enlightened by study of God's word, the Bible, which will enable us to understand the true meaning of Christianity, and how to live purely without hypocrisy before God, with Jesus' help. In that way we can see God's ways, and learn them, and Jesus will call us His friends. What a wonderful promise!
The Bible also agrees that there are 'those who do offend' in the Christian community who are currently giving Christianity a bad name, and I acknowledge that. God's word prophesies that God Himself will remove all those who offend--- (hypocritical, false, damaging 'Christians')--from the Kingdom of God at Judgment Day.
I commend the Catholic missionary (Paul, above) for his service, but ask him to examine his biased thinking about his Christian brothers who happen to be evangelical. Instead of praying for unity and for revival and for common Christian goals, he sides with skeptics and vilifies Evangelicals, an attitude that is repeatedly condemned in the Bible. None of us are perfect, none of us knows the true hearts and motives of others, and it is ultimately up to each of us to study to show ourselves approved unto God and to look to the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. True love believes the best of every person!
Respectfully submitted.
Posted by: Clifton Murphy at October 29, 2010
I had high regards for christains and thought them as very good people till 2 months ago. After really started looking into islam, christainity and other religions. I truely beleive now christainity is no better than islam. As JESUS said "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10:34-39 NASB). After knowing the true nature of christainity i am happy as a hindu and enjoy my freedom to think and act as my religion allows reasoning.
Posted by: asha at December 28, 2010
I'm sorry, but I have to wonder how much you read. Did you read the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Jesus is God. God, the Creator of the universe says that we must love Him above all other things. Is that really so outlandish? Jesus did NOT say to ever take a sword to family members, as other religions might do. He said that what He had to say is so important, and He knows that not all will believe, and this difference in believing or not, is what can split a family apart, not the LITERAL sword, as in other religions. He was speaking figuratively. Jesus and his disciples didn't get followers through force. So although my in-laws may not believe in God, we are loving to them, so that they may come to believe by our actions, and we truly do love them. Christianity is the ONLY religion that says to not only love your neighbor as yourself, but to love your enemies, the only religion that says to do good to those who hurt you and persecute you, not just your friends or to avoid being hurt by someone else.Jesus talks about loving Him first, and then loving our fellow man. The world is not on watch for Christian terrorists. Christians are out in the world, serving others in hospitals, and teaching, and helping the poor. Christians give more to the needy than any other religious group. Jesus said that we get our one life on earth one time, and we must choose Him or not. When people didn't decide to follow Him, they were not beaten or hurt. The disciples went from town to town spreading the Gospel, which means "good news". We have a God that loves us so much, that He died for us on the cross. He lived a perfect, sinless life on earth, something that no man can do. And all we need to do is to believe in Him and love Him. We are told to spread this good news around the world. We are never told to hurt or harm others. And most importantly, Christianity is about a relationship between yourself and God. The other religion you mentioned never mentions God's love. Have you noticed this? Everything with them is done out of fear, and their god rewards them for killing unbelievers, while we are told to love. There is a huge, vast difference between the two. And the disciples of Jesus, who saw Him after He rose from the grave (mohammed lies dead in the grave), all were martyed (except 1 who was exiled) and went to their deaths, because they would not deny what they saw. Over 500 people saw Jesus after He rose from the dead. The other religion has no leader who has done this. The two religions are opposites. One is about a loving God, who freely forgives our sins, and the other god is an angry, judgmental god, who rewards based on deeds, most importantly, killing, and then rewards with virgins. Christianity does not have married people or sex in heaven. Only one can be right. The Bible is backed by history, archeology, and hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. It was foretold 500 years before He was born, where our Savior would be born. It was foretold hundreds of years before that soldiers would gamble over His clothes, and that He would die on a cross, and that He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. No other book of religion has a book of hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. Please keep reading and searching, for there is one Creator and there can only be one truth. Please think about this, and pray to God for the Holy Spirit, to reveal the truth to you. If you have a Bible, always pray first for understanding, and read a book at a time, such as Matthew, in the New Testament. I'll be praying for you to please give this thought and pray to the one eternal God, Creator of heaven and earth. As John 8:32 says, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"
Posted by: Barbara at December 29, 2010
James 2:!6 says "And one of you say to them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit?"
It is clear that we should match what we preach by action. This is what Evangelicals do while ministering to the poor of India. They preach but they also try to provide.
The high caste Hindus who have not even moved a finger for many decades to change the lives of the poor and needy, call this providence as a bribe for conversion or co-ercion.
As an Indian Christian, I say, we would rather preach and provide that just preach and let the poor keep suffering. Before calling it a bribe, co-ercion, etc, they must first learn to invite the poor (often considered unclean by high caste hindus), into their own homes.
Posted by: anns at February 28, 2011
Someone suggested he converted to win elections. He convered in high school!
Posted by: OomYaaqub at February 9, 2012
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