Sunday, October 19, 2008
I, The Convert
My conversion was not a change of religion; it was a change of heart
Anand Mahadevan
I was born a Brahmin and am the grandson of a priest whom I dearly loved. I am educated and my current professional standing indicates that I am reasonably intelligent. I am also affluent and my income would put me distinctly in the upper middle class bracket. I guess that would make me high-caste, rich and smart. In other words, I am not a tribal, or poor or dim-witted. And yet, I chose to become a follower of Jesus Christ. The world would call me a convert to Christianity. I have no problems with that, though I see my faith more as a relationship with God through Jesus Christ than as a religion. And for the record, I can truthfully claim that no one financially induced or threatened or deceived me into converting to Christianity. I am fiercely proud of my national identity as an Indian and I am completely at peace with my cultural identity as a Hindu. I retain the name my parents gave me. My wife, who also shares my faith, continues to go by her Hindu name. We have two children and we have given both distinctly Hindu names. In fact, many of my colleagues and acquaintances who may happen to read this column are likely to be surprised. They have no inkling about my faith, for I generally don't go about announcing it. But if someone does ask me the reason behind the joy and hope that is everpresent in my life, I am always delighted to share it with them. I write this piece to make one point—that my conversion was not a change of religion but a change of heart. To explain this, I need to go back to my childhood in Chennai, similar to that of so many other Tamil Brahmin boys like me. My grandfather, every bit the virtuous priest, had enormous influence over me. I absolutely adored him and as a toddler, always clung to him. He too loved me to a fault. There was no wish of mine that he would not rush to fulfil. But even in my early, formative years I was unable to relate to the religion he fervently practiced. Later, in my school days, I once spent my summer holidays with him in Trichy. Memories of dawn walks with him, for the ritualistic dip in the Cauvery river, cow in tow, are still fresh in my memory. I learnt many shlokas, some of which I still remember. But I never understood any of it and none of it helped me connect with God. When I was 19, a Christian friend with whom I used to play cricket invited me to his house for prayer. If he had invited me to a pub, or party, I would have gone too. At his home, he and his sister prayed for me. It was a simple yet delightful conversation with God that lasted all of five minutes. I don't remember it verbatim, but they articulated a prayer of blessing on my life, future, career and family. It was a simple affair—no miracles, no angels visiting. All they did was utter a deep human cry out to the creator God and His only son Jesus Christ. When they said Amen, I felt in my heart a desire to follow Jesus. It was a faith encounter with God that I shall not even attempt to understand, rationalise or explain. I simply accept it. It is my faith. It is what I choose to believe. That evening I did not change my religion, for in reality I had none. Hinduism was my identity, not my religion. It still is. The Christianity I acquired that evening is not a religion. On the contrary, it is an intensely intimate relationship with Jesus. Over the past fifteen years, I have come to know this Jesus even closer. I know Him as the pure and sinless Son of a Holy God. And I know Him as a dear friend to whom I pray and talk to every day—about my career, my dreams, successes, failures, finances and even my sexuality. If I read a good book, watch a good movie (Rock On is terrific, mate), or eat a good meal at a new restaurant, I would naturally tell my friends about it.In Jesus, I have discovered a truly amazing friend, guide, leader, saviour and God. How can I not tell all my friends about Him? And if anyone does listen and he too comes to believe in Jesus, I am delighted. The world would call it a conversion; I call it a change of heart, like mine. But I would never force anyone to listen to me, leave alone financially induce, coerce or con him into believing. That to me is pointless and against the very grain of my faith. But I do have a constitutional right to practice my faith and to preach it without deception, force or bribery. It pains to see such basic rights of mankind being cruelly violated every day in this great Hindu nation. God bless India.
(Anand Mahadevan is the editor of Outlook Business.)
Sun, 19/10/2008 - 8:21am Paswan for CBI probe into Orissa violence
New Delhi, Oct 18- Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said he would lead a delegation of eminent persons from all communities to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon to demand a CBI probe into the recent incidents in Orissa.The minister, after meeting a delegation of prominent Christian leaders, described the violence against the community members as an attack on the basic tenets of the constitution and demanded that leaders of "terror" should be arrested without any further delay.
Alleging that law and order machinery has totally failed in the BJD-BJP ruled state, Paswan assured the delegation that he will see to it that the "naked dance of communalism" is stopped and the law of the land is implemented there.
Earlier, the delegation in its meeting with Paswan alleged that Christians returning to their homes are being caught and lynched by VHP and Bajrang Dal cadres in Orissa and several of them have been forcibly reconverted.
Alleging complete breakdown of law and order in the state, the leaders expressed serious concern over the attacks on the community members.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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Sat, 18/10/2008 - 9:03pm ‘Maoists cannot be hired’-Revolutionary Writers Association
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Sat, 18/10/2008 - 6:32pm Christians of Orissa appeal to UN as "stateless citizens"
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=13518&size=A10/18/2008 14:50INDIAChristians of Orissa appeal to UN as "stateless citizens"by Nirmala Carvalho
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Sat, 18/10/2008 - 5:34pm Orissa updates-144 lifted ,christians feel insecure
Phulbani-OrissaThe judicial commission probing the violence in Orissa's Kandhamal today made a field visit to the riot-hit district setting the investigation process in motionJustice S C Mohapatra heading the one-man commission, visited the ashram at Jalespeta where VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati and four associates were gunned down on August 23 which triggered the largescale violence in the district and elsewhere in the state.
Soon after arrival here last night, Justice Mohapatra held a meeting with senior officials including District Collector Kishan Kumar and Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar, the sources said.
During his four-day tour of the district, the panel head is scheduled to visit Saraswati's ashram at Chakapada, where the VHP leader's samadhi is situated, tomorrow.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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Sat, 18/10/2008 - 4:54pm Mysterious death in Orissa
Yesterday ,a highly decomposed body was found in the base of a mountain Goddess Kali Temple area in Ranthalei village of Anugul Dist . The body was identified as of Mr. Pratap Nayak(45) of same village who was missing since 12.10.08. His head was found to be shaved and the body found with hands amputated. He belongs to Kandha tribe and was staying in the village. This has created tension in that community. Police could not establish reason behind the murder . The villagers allege that he has been sacrificed in the altar Hindu Goddess Kali temple.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
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