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Topic started by Heidi (@ 64.7.221.190) on Sat May 8 13:19:53 EDT 2004.
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A question of faith?

January 5, 2004, 9:38 pm

Lional Wijesiri

Reports of growing resentment among Sinhala-Buddhist groups in Sri Lanka against "unethical" conversions to Christianity need to be analysed in the correct context. What is happening in Sri Lanka cannot be compared to the sustained hate-campaign of the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad against Christian sects in India.

In 1991 a Presidential Commission was set up to investigate the activities of the NGOs suspected to be involved in the business of conversions. The Commission, headed by Justice R.S. Wanasundara, came to the conclusion that "unethical conversions have now become a burning issue and, unless effectively and resolutely stopped, they threaten to disrupt the existing religious harmony in our society". The Presidential Commission had recorded the evidence of Christian converts who claimed that they had to bring people for conversion if they wanted to continue receiving the benefits given to them for their own conversion.

Minister of Justice, Law Reforms, National Integration, Buddha Sasana W. J. M. Lokubandara recently said that the religious sects who resort to unethical conversions would hereafter be prevented from engaging their practice preying on vulnerable segments of society who are being induced by material and other benefits.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliamentary Complex Minister Lokubandara said that this "anti-unethical conversion," bill would be further strengthened by the Supreme Court ruling made on July 25 that according to Article 9 of Constitution unethical conversions are illegal.

Judgment

The three-judge bench held in two judgments that while the Sri Lankan constitution upheld a citizen's right to worship and practice his or her religion, it did not recognize a fundamental right to propagate a religion.

The court was hearing two petitions against two bills presented in parliament seeking legal status for two Christian organizations.

Buddhist organisations have been agitating against Christian groups and cults which they say are active in rural areas and offer people money, clothing and books in exchange for converting. Among these benefits were medical facilities, child education and providing care for infants, the elderly, orphans, the destitute and the sick.

The judges held that when there was no fundamental constitutional right to propagate a religion, if efforts were taken to convert another person to one's own religion, such conduct could hinder the very existence of the Buddha Sasana, or Buddhist order.

Elaborating further on the judgment, Minister Lokubandara further said that the protection and enrichment of the Buddha Sasana is enshrined in the Constitution, and other faiths could exercise their right as long as it does not infringe upon the survival of the Buddha Sasana.

"Recently Archbishop had complained to me about unethical conversions exploiting poor people. Even the Hindu Affairs Minister told me about this situation. The Maha Sangha had always been asking me about this for some time," he further explained.

Campaign

Dr. Anula Wijesundara of "Success", Colombo, says that the NGOs have statistical targets to meet as the fund flow depends on the targets being met. According to Dr.Wijesundara,the conversions were made mostly by groups not affiliated to the established churches, like the Anglican, Methodist or Catholic churches, but by the Seventh Day Adventists, and the Born Again Christian, who use modern American methods of song and show to attract people. The faith healing sessions with "miracles" are a major draw, she points out.

Rev. Mapola Ratnasara, residing in USA and now in Sri Lanka for a holiday explains the Buddhist point of view : "The increasing number of "unethical" conversions to Christianity by deception and by dangling carrots like jobs, medical aid and dry rations, has raised the hackles of Sinhala-Buddhist vigilante groups in Sri Lanka.

"There are innumerable articles in newspapers on the "insidious" activities of foreign-aided missionary groups, many of whom work under cover as legitimate NGOs involved in developmental and humanitarian activities.

"It goes without saying that the right to convert to any faith without fear or favour cannot be denied to anyone. But civil society should not look the other way when religious groups indulge in what the Presidential Commission called "unethical conversions.

"The point which should not be ignored is that the campaign in Sri Lanka is not against conversions but "unethical conversions". We are happy that the issues raised by Buddhist and all other major religious organisations have been taken seriously by the Government".

Tamil Nadu Government, too, has passed a legislation banning the conversions by force, fraud and allurement. Earlier Orissa Govt. had also passed a legislation on similar lines. This bill calls for a ban on conversions and also equates free education as allurement! As per these proposals a prior permission/intimation will be needed to be given to the authorities who will sit on judgment whether the conversion is legal or not.

The Tamil Nadu conversion ordinance requires that all conversions be reported to local magistrates, and imposes stiff penalties on those who "abet conversion". The penalties are even higher if the targets are scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Another viewpoint

Austin Fernando, a devout "Born again" Christian says: "In a way these legislations violate the fundamental rights of citizens, the right to personal freedom affecting profession, practice and propagation of faith.

"Second, there is an assumption that most conversions happen because of some material allurements being offered by the converting parties. The Supreme Court, and I suspect, many people think that this is scandalous. The idea that people should trade away their religion or consciences under some inducement is considered reprehensible.

"All this may be true enough. But it ought to be even more scandalous that we feign horror at the prospect that people might convert for anything other that religious motives, but are barely offended by the fact that we live in societies where people are routinely put in such positions of deprivation that selling one's soul seems like the most humane thing to do.

"But the deeper worry about this attitude is this. In a free and liberal society the state ought not to be in the business of saving anybody's souls.

"It really is irrelevant to the Government what people's motives behind choosing their religious confession are. We may find the fact that people choose their religion for all kinds of motives uncomfortable, but frankly it really is none of the Government business".

Tim Stafford - senior journalist for "Christianity Today" writes : "In Sri Lanka Christians relate to other religions in at least three ways. One is to emphasize religious rights. A second approach emphasizes sensitivity to other religions, keeping a low profile and avoiding words or tactics that might offend others. A third approach is accommodation, emphasizing commonalities of different religions.

"Certain Christian sects rarely follow the third approach, while most other Catholics and Christians do. That is the crux of the problem".







Note: The views expressed on this site are those of the respective authors and not necessarily those of IACA. This organization is in no way anti-Christian but rather anti-conversion. For more information about us, click here.




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