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
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