Attacks on Christians escalate in India's Karnataka state
by Rahul Benjamin
Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 10:33 (BST)
The usually peaceful state of Karnataka has seen an alarming rise in the number of attacks on the minority Christian community.
A mob of 200 activists from extremist groups, the Hindu Jagarana Vedike and the Shiva Sainya youth association attacked the house of Pastor Premkumar in Davangere town on 12 August. The police detained eleven people over the incident, including four women.
According to Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), a Christian advocacy group based in Bangalore, the attackers have formed smaller groups and travelled to the homes of independent pastors and evangelists all over the region, threatening them to stop holding church services.
The GCIC said that the small Christian community in the area had been terrorised by extremists, and that pastors were fleeing to escape the persecution. According to the group, police officials are advising Christians to leave the area.
Last week, students from a Bible college in Turvekere were attacked by an extremist mob who allegedly injured some of them before taking them to the police, where they were reportedly ill-treated.
Kanakapura taluk in Kodipura village witnessed an attack on a Christian prayer meeting instigated by Hindu radicals, who also shouted anti-Christian slogans.
"A mob of nearly 10-15 extremists barged into the church, abused the pastor and made false accusations of forcible conversions," the GCIC quoted him as saying.
The GCIC said some of the men had been arrested by the police.
On 10 August, members of an 80-strong congregation were left injured when Hindu radicals attacked their church.
The police have agreed to provide security during the church services and have also arrested six people in connection with the attack.
On the same day, two pastors in another village were reportedly stripped and tied to a car for evangelising in the area. Hindu radicals are again believed to be behind the attack.
As attacks on the Christian community continue to escalate in the state, GCIC is appealing to churches and Christians to pray for the victims and for law and order to prevail.
The group has also asked India's president to force state authorities to do more to protect the Christian minority.
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Added: Friday, September 19, 2008, 23:45 (BST)
MR.Bangalore dude!!!!
what are u trying to prove???? u want proof from reporter benjamin yeh?????? this attack was going on since 7 days,and if u had switched on any channel u would have seen the actaul proof.if u have time to see these blogs, then u must have seen these attacks on christians somewhere, but you want to ignore it just to boast that you are a hindu.come down to mangalore and see if u want more proof. do you think without proof central government will warn karnataka govt of section 356 which is president rule?????? common man, accept the truth.by just ignoring the truth you can not hide the truth.
for ur info nobody is converting anyone. come down to mangalore and see by urself in all orphanages,oldage centres etc,you will find 70% hindus there. and they are still hindus nobody has converted them.because we just live our life as christ said. help oneanother and love oneanother.when we do that some hindus like u can not see it, you feel we are converting.buddy we dont convert people ,we give our lord jesus christ in your heart.so that you will be permanently loved by him. and we do it by our works.if we give food to those who is hungry,is it conversion??????? if we give clothes to those who are naked is it conversion???? if we love those ,who have been thrown out of their houses, is it conversion????? my brother those people are your own brother and sisters.do not bring religion here.
we love our hindu brothers and sisters,because of bajrangdal,vhp,bjp i can not say that all hindus are like that.we have been living with them without any problem,but some people cant see that also.they dont want hindu and christian live together, they can t see christian- muslim live together. my dear friend if u see the origin of all terrorists are hindutwa??? dont feel bad when i say this.because if u come and attack my brother and sisters infront of my eyes i will also become terrorist.today so many people are dying of bomb blast because somebody broke babri masjid few years back.
tody those same people come and brake our churches, we definately feel bad,because its our worship place. you may be thinking christians are quiet they cant fight. i will call such a person a fool. because once again i remind you we follow christ,who himself did not do anything ,didnot hurt anybody even when he was killed. we also can brake ur temples, and i bet nobady can stop us.if those bajrangis have blood ,we also have blood. today if all of ur temples are intact in mangalore because we dont hurt peoples sentiments, we christians dont play with others feelings.because we have been taught since childhood that jesus lives in your heart,by braking churches ,statues nobody can take our christ from our heart.when u hit a christian his faith will increase,we never loose because christ is with us.because jesus said you can only see me through sufferings.so buddy we love to suffer for christ. he will come soon,and all the people will know jesus is the son of true god.
iam sorry if i have hurted anyone by my comments
kevin
KEVIN, mangalore
Added: Friday, September 19, 2008, 19:44 (BST)
Praise The Lord
I pray that the LORD opens the eyes of the people, that they may know the Truth,
“Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”. John 8:32
I want to ask two questions to all who have taken the responsibility for all the damages, destruction
to the Christians?
1) If you die where will you go? (Heaven/hell)
If you think, what you have been taught in this world that if you do good you will receive good,
Presume what you have been doing (called good), will it lead you to heaven?
and if so, at the gate of Heaven you see God standing, and asks you,
“Why should I let you in to My Heaven”?
2) What will you answer?
Will you tell Him
1) “Lord for You I have stopped people from preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.
2) “Lord for You I have stoned people who were preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.
3) “Lord for You I have Burned the Churches, for they were preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.
4) “Lord for You I have Burned people alive for they were preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.
5) “Lord for You I have Killed people for they were preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.
“Lord because this is the teaching they were giving from the BIBLE to the people …..
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and men. 1Timothy2:5
Jesus said “I am The Way, The Truth and The Life.” John 14:6
Jesus said “No one comes to the Father except through Me”. John 14:6
Jesus Said “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, They follow me, I give then eternal life and no one can snatch them from My hand”. John 10:27
“No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” John 3:13 – Jesus Christ himself.
Jesus said “So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time”. Mark 13:23
God Said “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge”. Hosea 4:6
“Believe in Lord Jesus Christ and be Saved – you and your household”. Acts 16:31
What do you think; will GOD say to you, so called Religious people?
I want you to ask a question to your self, will this Killings and Destruction be accepted by God?
Did God tell you to do this, Killing people, Destroying Churches?
My Bible says “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” John 10:10
This is what our LORD Jesus taught us “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
Love and peace be with you forever,
We give Glory to GOD
We worship true and living GOD
“You will be too blessed to be stressed”
The shortest distance between a problem and a solution
is the distance between your knees and the floor.
The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.
God Bless You,
Bro. Alex Dhanvate
India
Bro. Alex Dhanvate, India
Added: Friday, September 19, 2008, 7:40 (BST)
Christian are not converting but they are spreading the good news, peace, prosperity, blessing and the truth to all kind of people though they are good are bad, rich or poor doesn't matter they must know the way of living.
Know one can say this is convertion if you could able to understand what is the peace, people loves this way and they themselves converts.
No christians are carring weapon or sword to convert the people like you peoples doing now.
I just want to tell you one more thing we are the christians loves all the people of the earth even our enimes as ou god Jesus told as to do. We want you to know the truth not the convertion.
Remila, Bangalore
Added: Thursday, September 18, 2008, 6:57 (BST)
It is true that Christians in India are being persecuted on the false charge that they "forcibly" convert people of other faiths into Christians. There is no point arguing with these attackers who worship the monkey god. I do not expect better behavior from worshipers of animals.
And regarding the question of fleeing persecution or filing complaints at police stations, we Christians are not afraid of persecution. At the most, we will be killed. We follow Jesus Christ who defeated death and therefore, we do not consider death to be a final defeat. If Christ was crucified, we do not expect better treatment from the people of this world. As long as we live, we will proclaim the rise Lord Jesus.
Hindu leaders proclaim their religion in the West. I was once stopped on the streets of Oxford by a Hindu "missionary" from India. He wanted me to listen to Hindu teachings! I have seen some Americans spreading Hinduism on the streets of Bangalore. No one has any complaints about these! If Christians should flee to Vatican for refuge, then let all Hindus leave India to the ancient animists and go to the Indus valley from where they came!
Philip P Eapen, Cochin, India
Added: Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 6:58 (BST)
First thing I do not agree that some one can be forced to convert to anything unless there is a gun on the throat/or a sword in the hand (now as we see in Orissa/MP/Karanata by the Hindu Activists). Even if a person says he is converted once the gun/sword is removed he will turn back to his religion, since he has not done this (so called conversion) whole heartedly.
Can any one show/share if that was done by/from the Christian pastors/believers using a gun or sword.
Also I have seen a lot of comments across the sites that poor people are converted. I know there are a lot of Doctors/Engineers/Teachers who follow Christ. I do not think they are poor. It is all that the individual person's perspective. If you understand the love of Jesus, you will be true Christian. No one needs to convert you.
Milton, USA
Added: Monday, September 15, 2008, 6:33 (BST)
Who's the real Hindu??????
Karan Thapar/Hindustan Times
Does the VHP have the right to speak for you or I? Do they reflect our views? Do we endorse their behaviour? They call themselves the Vishwa Hindu
Parishad, but who says they represent all of us? This Sunday morning, I want to draw a clear line of distinction between them and everyone else. My
hunch is many of you will agree.
Let me start with the question of conversion — an issue that greatly exercises the VHP. I imagine there are hundreds of millions of Hindus who are
peaceful, tolerant, devoted to their faith, but above all, happy to live alongside Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Jews. If any one
of us were to change our faith how does it affect the next man or woman? And even if that happens with inducements, it can only prove that the
forsaken faith had a tenuous and shallow hold. So why do the VHP and its unruly storm troopers, the Bajrang Dal, froth at the mouth if you, I or our
neighbours convert? What is it to do with them?
Let me put it bluntly, even crudely. If I want to sell my soul — and trade in my present gods for a new lot — why shouldn't I? Even if the act
diminishes me in your eyes, it's my right to do so. So if thousands or even millions of Dalits, who have been despised and ostracised for
generations, choose to become Christian, Buddhist or Muslim, either to escape the discrimination of their Hindu faith or because some other has
lured them with food and cash, it's their right.
Arguably you may believe you should ask them to reconsider, although I would call that interference, but you certainly have no duty or right to stop them. In fact, I doubt if you are morally correct in even seeking to place obstacles in their way. The so-called Freedom of Religion Acts, which aim
to do just that, are, in fact, tantamount to obstruction of conversion laws and therefore, at the very least, questionable.
However, what's even worse is how the VHP responds to this matter. Periodically they resort to violence including outright murder. What happened to
Graham Staines in Orissa was not unique. Last week it happened again. Apart from the utter and contemptible criminality of such behaviour, is this
how we Hindus wish to behave? Is this how we want our faith defended? Is this how we want to be seen? I have no doubt the answer is no. An
unequivocal, unchanging and ever-lasting NO!
The only problem is it can't be heard. And it needs to be. I therefore believe the time has come for the silent majority of Hindus — both those who ardently practice their faith as well as those who were born into it but may not be overtly religious or devout — to speak out. We cannot accept the desecration of churches, the burning to death of innocent caretakers of orphanages, the storming of Christian and Muslim hamlets even if these acts
are allegedly done in defence of our faith. Indeed, they do not defend but shame Hinduism. That's my central point.
I'm sorry but when I read that the VHP has ransacked and killed I'm not just embarrassed, I feel ashamed. Never of being hindu but of what some
Hindus do in our shared faith's name.
This is why its incumbent on Naveen Patnaik, Orissa's Chief Minister, to take tough, unremitting action against the VHP and its junior wing, the
Bajrang Dal. This is a test not just of his governance, but of his character. And I know and accept this could affect his political survival. But
when it's a struggle between your commitment to your principles and your political convenience is there room for choice? For ordinary politicians,
possibly, but for the Naveen I know, very definitely not.
So let me end by saying: I'm waiting, Naveen. In fact, I want to say I'm not alone. There are hundreds of millions of Hindus, like you and me,
waiting silently — but increasingly impatiently. Please act for all of us.
For any comments you can send it to Karan(HT)
Prasanna Dayala, Bangalore
Added: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 12:58 (BST)
First of all, the reporter, Mr Benjamin provides no proof of any such attack. The Indian media is usually vigilant about these issues and reports them quite fast. News travels faster in India these days.
Second, there is no proof of any such attack. Neither has the pastors filed any complaint at the local police station, nor have any of the Hindu radical groups Mr Benjamin mentions even existent.
It appears that Mr Benjamin is playing a hoax and lying about the attack so that Christian groups in faraway western lands could give him more $$$.
Another fraudster trying to dupe innocent Christians in the west.
Bangalore Dude, Bangalore
Added: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 4:03 (BST)
Hi John and Gus,
I appriciate your comments. We hindus are peace loving people. We never force any one to adopt to Hinduism. We live and we will let other religions to live with us. That is why we have more than 1000 religions in india. We have thousonds of different cultures, but, still we live together as one nation. That shows our peaceful nature. But, when things are going wrong again and agian, and when we found more and more muslims and Christians are forcing lower class hindus to convert to their religions, then the frustration breaks. India is the only country where people give respect to minorities.
Bala, Bangalore
Added: Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 9:12 (BST)
Gus thats the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard: "why are we attempting new grounds and create a divisive atmosphere". Christ gave every believer the mandate to go and make disciples of all nations - not to go make disciples where its easy or where the people are all nice or already believe!!! the reason why there is division is because peoples hearts are closed and they dont want to hear the truth of the gospel. The Bible itself shows there will always be division and opposition wherever the gospel appears (Christ was executed for proclaiming the gospel remember?!) That's what happened right the way down God's history, and guess what, the gospel has flourished in that environment. "Let us live and let them live..." The only true life comes not from the physical body being alive but when we have spiritual life in Jesus Christ. The only way that can happen is when someone takes the gospel to them and lets them hear it. As the apostle Paul says, how can they believe if they have not heard? Sorry Gus, we've got to go even where we are not welcome and testify even when that creates divisions. Anyone wanting to be a true disciple of Christ should get used to that fact and have more faith that God is able to do all things in the way that He thinks best.
Jamie, Cardiff
Added: Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 4:00 (BST)
I think Christians and Muslims are the true extremists...remember the Goa inquisition?..do u see Hindu priests going en masse to the shore of Europe bribing people to join Hinduism....this is just a natural backlash...all you pathetic Indian christians should move to the vatican...maybe the Pope will accept you
John, Ottawa, Canada
Added: Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 1:57 (BST)
We have enough christians around the globe, we need to take care of them...why are we attempting new grounds and create a divisive environment. In india there are various leaflets or doc. criticizing local religion is being published ..then this is going to create a wider rift.
Let us live and let them live.
Gus, McLan, VA
