Church of England's Hindu Priest Meets Opposition
A Christian priest from the Church of England has reportedly converted to Hinduism, but still claims his position as an Anglican priest.
by Kevin Donovan
Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006, 7:53 (BST)
A Christian priest from the Church of England has reportedly converted to Hinduism, but still claims his position as an Anglican priest.
52-year-old David Ananda Hart worships his gods though he's recently adopted a new religion. The man has always been religious as a priest for the Church of England and now as a staunch Hindu.
That has started a debate in the Anglican Church, and the church is reportedly under pressure to take a position on this issue.
But he sees no conflict of interest or devotion, for him it's about worshipping god.
He's a practising Hindu in India who teaches English and once he returns to England he will go back to being an Anglican priest.
"I don't really see any contradiction or even tension between saying Christian prayers and saying Hindu prayers. Now that I am here in the Hindu context that is how I pray with the community with my staff with friends to God," said David Ananda Hart, Anglican Priest.
David's position has confused the diocese in Thiruvananthpuram. They recently renewed his priest's license unaware of his new affiliations.
David admits he kept the church authorities in the dark but doubts if the Bishop will take any action against him now.
At a time when religious differences seem to be tearing the world apart, David the author of a book called Trading Faith feels his beliefs brings people together.
"Traditionally in all religions there is a feeling that religion is a club. I am from this religion we are against all other religions that is out to date today we are moving very fast towards a single global village," said David Ananda Hart.
In a recent opinion poll conducted by church times in England, 53 per cent people said David Hart should not continue as a priest while 43 per cent of people had an opposite view.
However, not everyone in the Church of England is impressed by Mr Hart's passion for Hinduism. Pauline Scott, the team vicar of St James, in Stretham, said that she would oppose any attempts by Mr Hart to celebrate in the Ely Diocese.
"We do tend to use Christian priests, surprisingly enough," she said.
The debacle has even sparked international criticism. Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., current president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - one of the largest seminaries in the world, offered scathing criticism of the Hindu convert.
"He is the poster-priest for the worst and most mindless form of theological relativism. You would be hard pressed to find two more radically distinct theologies than those of Christianity and Hinduism. He is an idolater who has repudiated Christianity and biblical theism. And now he expects the Church of England to allow him to continue as a priest."
David is currently working on his new book unity of world religions, which is scheduled to be published in England early next year.
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 11:48 (GMT)
This is what we expect from a catholic church. In reality they have pagan based worship and idols. The priest is not at fault here, he is just promoting the number of gods he prays to. Lets not fool ourselves here, the catholics pray to mother mary and other saints. They have statues of jesus christ, mother mary and others. This church is really lost.
The priest needs our prayers and not our hatred. He and the entire catholic church are asking questions and few are answering. The bible is not really taught in the catholic church and this leaves those questions unanswered. Thus the priest will look somewhere else for those answers. He also becomes unsatisfied with the images of christ that are protrayed and will like to view the beautiful images of hindhu GODs. He also believes in politics just like the catholics. Thus he wants to bring the world together instead of spreading the gospel which apparently he no longer believes in, or was ever taught?
Anyway my prayers are for him to realize the corruption among the hindhu GODs who never say they love you in any scripture. I know this because I am very familiar with the vedas, and the gita. GOD BLESS
Tinu M Patel, New Jersey USA
Added: Friday, January 26, 2007, 7:37 (GMT)
As a former Hindu who am now a Christian, may I say that David Ananda probably never truly had a born again experience in his spirit. If he had, he would see that Hinduism and Christianity are as opposite as the North Pole and South Pole and have irreconcilable differences. There is no other God but one God and he is the True God embodied in Christ Jesus.
Rachel Raja, Malaysia
Added: Monday, September 18, 2006, 12:39 (BST)
There has been a great attack on the COE the last few years especially. We need to come back to Biblical values. What does the Bible say about this issue? What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Only when we return to the Word of God and not the prevailing attitude of the day will the Church rise up and truly be a light and beacon for the lost. I implore you Anglican leadership, stop debating among yourselves and turn to the Word. It is the only truth.
Matthew Allen, Milford, USA
Added: Monday, September 18, 2006, 9:11 (BST)
I don't think switching religions is a joke. This priest oughta chooose either this or that. Make a decision.
Janet Miles, Manchester, England
