All rights reserved. [64][65], On the other end of the proselytising scale are religions that do not accept any converts, or do so very rarely. About Us | Privacy Policy | Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.. They do not represent the views or opinions of newindianexpress.com or its staff, nor do they represent the views or opinions of The New Indian Express Group, or any entity of, or affiliated with, The New Indian Express Group. The last time it did was in 1977, in the Reverend Stanislaus case, wherein the Odisha and Madhya Pradesh statutes were upheld. SS Subramuniyaswami (2000), How to become a Hindu, 2nd Edition, Himalayan Academy. Another step towards remoulding Hinduism into semetic form is the promotion of a congregational faith. We are talking about an amendment bill introduced in the Uttarakhand assembly on November 29and passed a day laterto make the four-year-old anti-conversion Act (which ironically goes by the name Uttarakhand 'Freedom of Religion' Act, 2018) even more stringent. Besides being overtly anti-Christian, the proposed anti-conversion law would negate the constitutions secular values. Much of the theology of Latter Day Saint baptism was established during the early Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. Religious enthusiasm for proselytism can play a role. Christanity has 2.5-3% base in 82% Hindu dominated India. Without defining what all would, and could, possibly count as inducement or fraud, these laws impose stringent criminal sanctions on violators. With the demonstrated Indian genius of turning all schemes involving money into scams, Coalgate and Spectrumgate might soon yield headlines to Conversiongate. The widespread Dalit mass conversions to Buddhism have enraged many Hindu organizations from Delhi in the north to Yadgir in the south. This is for countering the claims of BJP. The groups claimed that not only dalits, who often embrace Buddhism to quit Hinduism, but also people from other castes can accept the religion. Some have suggested that the concept of missionary conversion, either way, is contrary to the precepts of Hinduism. Religious police in (for example) Iran and Saudi Arabia answer for the correct religious expression of those in their purview. [13] The theology thus rejects infant baptism. Stark, Rodney and Roger Finke. Esther Dhanraj converted to Christianity and then reverted back to Sanatana Dharma. March 21, 2015 by Ambaa Choate. Reports of a new mass conversion of Christians in India have raised concerns over freedom of worship, days after Barack Obama challenged the countrys record on religious tolerance. [52][53][54][55][56], In the 1960s sociologist John Lofland lived with Unification Church missionary Young Oon Kim and a small group of American church members in California and studied their activities in trying to promote their beliefs and win converts to their church. At one stage Kerala Anglo Indian nurses were very well respected in other states also but with the passage of time the conversion to Islam picked up the race and see now they are in majority. Up to 100 Christians welcomed back to Hinduism in West Bengal, raising concerns about possible coercion, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, A damaged mural of Jesus Christ on the outside of a home in India. In a shocking update, an alleged 'mass conversion' took place in Rajasthan's Jaipur as around 400 families have been allegedly converted. Website Designed, Developed & Maintained by Express Network Private Ltd. Don't create wrong picture by such headlines. The punishment will be three to ten years in prison and at least Rs 50,000 as fine. More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed by rioters. Bahs recognize the divine origins of all revealed religion, and believe that these religions occurred sequentially as part of a divine plan (see Progressive revelation), with each new revelation superseding and fulfilling that of its predecessors. In 1339, Shah Mir established his own kingship and founded the Shah Mir Dynasty, which lasted till 1561. In that case, the judges could remedy the errors of 1977 by seeking inspiration from the European Court of Human Rights 1993 ruling in the Kokkinakis case, which struck the right balance between keeping out improper proselytism and Christians right to practise, profess, and propagate their faith. Match case Limit results 1 per page. All Indian religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainsim and Sikhism, are collective called "Sanatan Dharma" and "Dhamma", and all others are called mleccha. In December another group conducted a similar ceremony for more than 200 Muslims in the northern city of Agra. This is list of converts from Indian-origin religions. Thus "religious conversion" would describe the abandoning of adherence to one denomination and affiliating with another. [37] Some of these places are mathas and asramas (hermitage, monastery), where one or more gurus (spiritual guide) conduct the conversion and offer spiritual discussions. Article 18.2 bars coercion that would impair the right to have or adopt a religion or belief, including the use of threat of physical force or penal sanctions to compel believers or non-believers to adhere to their religious beliefs and congregations, to recant their religion or belief or to convert." The closest Hindu equivalent of a regular congregation is the RSS shakha. conducted by Indian Hindu nationalist organisations Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and their allies. But these benefits aside, there was another more substantive reason why many Indians, especially the Dalits (Untouchables) and tribals embraced Christianity, and even Islam. Based on the declaration the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) drafted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a legally binding treaty. This applies also for the presence of New Age centres. to be adopted and modified from Chinese Buddhist refuge-taking ceremonies. "Bah pioneers", rather than attempting to supplant the cultural underpinnings of the people in their adopted communities, are encouraged to integrate into the society and apply Bah principles in living and working with their neighbors. Today almost double that figure will embrace a new religion and repeat the 22 oaths Ambedkar mouthed. 11/6/01 The historic rally on November 4 in New Delhi featuring a mass conversion of Hindus to Buddhism has taken place, but not in the way that had been planned. Religious conversion to Hinduism has a long history outside India. "Dalits should concentrate on illiteracy and poverty rather than looking for new religions. Hindu conversion: How Hinduism is being turned more Islamic and Christian, Adjective d*****: Thanks to PC, we might soon have to be careful not to get nabbed by the oral police, Note of warning: Speculations about Demonetisation II reveal the fictional value we put on money, Johns Christmas: In remembrance of a friendship spanning 66 years, and many shared Yuletide seasons, How China locked down internally for COVI, A look at how and when Indias caste system emerged, Terms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy, TOI will have complete discretion to select bloggers, TOI's decision in this regard will be final. Initial reports suggest those converted at the VHP rally are BJP workers who were lured. "We want to be equal to upper castes. Adaptation in favour of Matrimony "Love Jihad" is the hot all the rage a chain of the methods second-hand in favour of the determination. There were 111 conversions from Hindu to Islam. All the comments will be moderated by the newindianexpress.com editorial. Retrieved May 5, 2015. However, other officials from the VHP denied to local reporters any reconversions, saying the ceremony had been to lay a foundation stone for a hostel, healthcare centre and school for the poor. {{/totalcount}}, Thu, Mar 02, 2023 | UPDATED 08:23 AM IST. When converting to Hindusim to which caste do they convert to?? In October 2021, Sukmawati Sukarnoputri of Indonesia converted to Hinduism. Hindu Scriptures do not provide any procedure to convert to Hindu from any other religion as Hinduism is regarded as the way of life. [Galatians 3:28] Islam allegedly spread in North Africa through just administration, and in the Balkans by integrating new believers with improved tax conditions and social prestige. This vast majority are from the middle and upper middle class. Now, my family and I want to become Hindu again, Baskey said. In fact, donations to Christian missions in India . "Power and purpose: Correlates to conversion." Culture can be defined as a way of life. [66] Chinese traditional religion lacks clear criteria for membership, and hence for conversion. For example, in the 11th century in Burma, king Anoratha converted his entire country to Theravada Buddhism. In that case, the judges could remedy the errors of 1977 by seeking inspiration from the European Court of Human Rights 1993 ruling in the, Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights, programme announced by the Dharam Jagran Samiti, anti-conversion laws in force in various states, Uproar in India over forced conversions. Explore conversions to hinduism profile at Times of India for photos, videos and latest news of conversions to hinduism. Some people convert under the influence of other social conditions. Threat of 'mass conversions' by Hindu far right groups causes fear among India's religious minorities [Al Jazeera] "Homecoming" in the Christmas season is supposed to be a joyous occasion,. Christianity grew after becoming the state religion in Armenia, in the Roman Empire, and in Ethiopia. For example, the New Testament chronicles the personal activities of the Apostles and their followers in inspired preaching, miracle-working and the subsequent gathering of followers. The rise of the BJP to power at the national level in 1998 spurred a spate of anti-conversion legislation. Furthermore, certain Hassidic groups who physically attacked a meeting of the Hebrew Christian 'cult' have themselves been labeled a 'cult' and equated with the followers of Reverend Moon, by none other than the President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. This is list of converts from Indian-origin religions. This suits their propaganda well and helps in the mass mobilisation against Muslims and Christians. ", Learn how and when to remove this template message, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Doomsday Cult: A Study of Conversion, Proselytization, and Maintenance of Faith, United Nations Commission on Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Forced conversion of minority girls in Pakistan, Safavid conversion of Iran from Sunnism to Shiism, https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a4.htm, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Monergism, https://archive.today/20220314005237/https://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/15/09/2010/the-original-sin/, "Guide to the Scriptures: Baptism, Baptize: Proper authority", "Abraham's Test: Islamic Male Circumcision as Anti/Ante-Covenantal Practice", Symposium Series (Society of Biblical Literature), "Islamic Law and the Issue of Male and Female Circumcision", "So You Want to Convert to Judaism? pleople like you christian conversion money from abroad. I was told I have committed sin by converting to Christianity. Section 3 Southeast Asia, Religions, "Sikhism (Sikhi) the Sikh Faith and Religion in America", "Brainwashing and the Cults: The Rise and Fall of a Theory", "Will Scientology Celebs Sign 'Spiritual' Contract? Though ostensibly secular in objective, the, Indians look up to the judiciary to uphold the secular values of the republic, and the Supreme Court has, time and again, thwarted onslaughts on peoples core fundamental right of religious freedom. NEW DELHI: The political uproar continues over the mass conversion which happened in the national capital on Wednesday. [41], Since 1800 CE, religious conversion from and to Hinduism has been a controversial subject within Hinduism. In the New Testament, Jesus commanded his disciples in the Great Commission to "go and make disciples of all nations" [Matthew 28:19] [Mark 16:15]. ", "Justice and reforms after airmen were given criminal convictions for their religious activities". Gods of the Blood: The Pagan Revival and White Separatism, page 183, Mattias Gardell, 2003, Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle, p.21, Major General Ian Cardozo, 2003, List of converts to Hinduism from Christianity, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, List of converts to Hinduism from Buddhism, List of converts to Christianity from Hinduism, List of converts to Sikhism from Hinduism, List of converts to Buddhism from Hinduism, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/things-you-didnt-know-about-russell-brand/articleshow/47811458.cms, https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/hollywood/i-am-a-follower-of-hinduism-says-russell-brand-859.html, https://littleindia.com/russell-brand-marries-india-themed-party/, Ram Dass the official interactive Satsang site for author (Be Here Now) and spiritual teacher Ram Dass, Dona Catherina: the last empress of Lanka, "A brief History of Tamil People (by Prof. A. Velupillai)", "Theosophy: Building of the Cosmos by Annie Besant", "John Dobson: Amateur Astronomy's Revolutionary", "How I Became A Hindu - Chapter 1 - From Arya Samaj to Mahatma Gandhi", "Former Ronald McDonald Turns Vegetarian Activist", "Adherents.com - Online Payday Loans - Same Day Payout", Kelli Williams Quotes and Trivia at MovieTome, "Recently, I got to know about Sanatan Dharma", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_converts_to_Hinduism&oldid=1133347277. BJP is true party work for nation. Mass Conversions to Hinduism among Indian Muslims Yoginder Sikand Manjari Katju In cases of mass conversion of Muslims to Hinduism, the central thrust has been on their de-Islamisation rather than on their accepting the Hindu religion. [1] In some cases, religious conversion "marks a transformation of religious identity and is symbolized by special rituals".[2]. Thus, all who come into one of the Latter Day Saint faiths as converts are baptized, even if they have previously received baptism in another faith. However, he has warned members of parliament and ministers not to make statements that might distract from his development agenda, after one member of his government called Indian Muslims bastard children last year. ", "Zoroastrianism needs to adapt its archaic laws or die | Ariane Sherine", "Joining a Cult: Religious Choice or Psychological Aberration? This felt need to stiffen the sinews of Hinduism and reformulate it as an all-pervasive national culture lies behind the proposal to make the Bhagwad Gita Indias national book, in much the same way as the Bible and the Quran are for Christian and Islamic countries. From Delhi in the north to Yadgir in south, mass Dalit conversion to Buddhism has riled up many Hindu groups. So all tribals and SCs converted to Christians here. The Muslim castes which have been particularly vulnerable to Hindu missionary efforts have been those However, without a formal conversion, many highly observant Jews will reject a convert's Jewish status.[27]. [20] In the Islamic religion, it is believed that everyone is Muslim at birth. This theory was publicized by the popular news media but disputed by other scholars, including some sociologists of religion. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines. {{#more}} Photograph: Amit Bhargava/AP. UP's Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance, 2020, promulgated last week penalises mass conversions - defined by the ordinance as conversions of two or more persons. There are plans for a Buddhist temple and money set aside to hire a Buddhist priest - probably the first in the area for 1,500 years - to conduct prayers as well as marriage and death rites. The views expressed in comments published on newindianexpress.com are those of the comment writers alone. Advertise With Us | There are no rituals or dogmas, nor any sort of procedures in conversion to Spiritism. 5:48. Some religious traditions, rather than stressing emotion in the conversion process, emphasise the importance of philosophical thought as a pathway to adopting a new religion. He will not be alone. Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam found himself in the middle of a political storm after visuals of an alleged "mass conversion" to Buddhism, involving around 10,000 people (as . Careers, Home | Nation | World | Cities | Business | Columns | Entertainment | Sport | Magazine | The Sunday Standard. Digvijaya Singh, of the ousted Congress party, thanked Obama on Twitter for speaking up for the Indian citizens rights to profess practice and propagate his religious belief. Archived Link: Bhavasar and Kiem, Spirituality and Health, in Hindu Spirituality, Editor: Ewert Cousins (1989). In addition, it is strongly recommended you visit your local temple/ashram/spiritual organization . According to the survey, "mass-movement is the conversion of people in groups as families or groups of families as a community or group of communities. Amen. Anyone found guilty is visited with imprisonment extending to three years, and with a financial penalty of 50,000 rupees (approximately $800). Gautam revealed that ov. A national anti-conversion law, if enacted, would definitely be challenged in the Supreme Court. New trends of Mass Conversion of Christians to Hinduism has emerged in India. Historical records bear ample testimony to the rigorous implementation of St Caprions axiom extra ecclessium nulla salus (outside the Church, no salvation), even by the proverbial fire and sword, especially by explorer-cum-conquistadors like Vasco da Gama, the tales of whose brutalities in enforcing a harvest of faith in the erstwhile Portuguese-controlled state of Goa are legion. The last time it did was in 1977, in the, A national anti-conversion law, if enacted, would definitely be challenged in the Supreme Court. First, there has been increasing campaign against Muslims as a result of which these. 2014-12-30. Buddhism [ edit] Apostate is a term used by members of a religion or denomination to refer to someone who has left that religion or denomination. "There is no caste system here." Christianity is not an inclusive religion. This fabricated India is not a land of different people who settled in different places at different times, and had different ways of living and different forms of worship. What is God? This Samiti, a not-so-small wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a militant Hindu organisation, contended that far from propagating religious intolerance, it was only righting historical wrongs and injustice perpetrated by Christian missionaries and Muslim clerics who, in order to bolster the numbers of their respective faiths, had lured and coerced Hindus to stray from their original religion. According to the report, the converts said they were neither lured nor coerced into Hinduism. This perceived weakness is what enabled first the Mughals and then the British to impose their rule on the country. A Jehovah's Witness, Minos Kokkinakis, won the equivalent of $14,400 in damages from the Greek state after being arrested for trying to preach his faith from door to door. They include never worshipping Hindu gods and goddesses, never inviting a Brahmin for rituals and never drinking alcohol. Just drop in a mail at toiblogs@timesinternet.in with a brief bio and we will get in touch with you. In connection to this, many users in India posted a claim that the 'princess of Indonesia' converted to Hinduism following which 50,000 Indonesians did the same. Copyright - newindianexpress.com 2023. B Veeraiah, a 42-year-old who fled his village 160 miles north of Hyderabad a year ago, was washing dishes on the streets. It includes various traditions and customs to be followed by its followers. [63], Research in the United States and in the Netherlands has shown a positive correlation between areas lacking mainstream churches and the percentage of people who are members of a new religious movement. Indonesia has the world's largest population of Muslims. Details of the incident are unclear but it was reported that between 50 and 100 Christians from some of the poorest communities in India were welcomed back to Hinduism in a homecoming ceremony in a remote area in the eastern state of West Bengal on Wednesday. [42][43], In recent decades, mainstream Hinduism schools have attempted to systematize ways to accept religious converts, with an increase in inter-religious mixed marriages. [24] The procedure and requirements for conversion depend on the sponsoring denomination. On 14 October 1956, Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, took a life-altering decision. We will be happy to have you on board as a blogger, if you have the knack for writing. Most Hindu sub-schools and sects do not actively seek converts. [I say] why wait?". Modi has been criticised by opposition politicians for remaining silent on the issue of reconversion ceremonies. "Converts" redirects here. The consensus in Spiritism is that God, the Great Creator, is above everything, including all human things such as rituals, dogmas, denominations or any other thing. Religious conversion is the adoption of a set of beliefs identified with one particular religious denomination to the exclusion of others. It is exclusively associated with the predatory behavior of Abrahamic religions (Islam and . Low-caste Indians are leaving Hinduism en massepartly to stick it to their prime minister. This situation stems from a law passed in the 1930s by the dictator Ioannis Metaxas. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 978--8122-9600-6 Peace & Conflict Studies, Sociology, Religion Attending the ceremonies are monks from America, Britain and Taiwan. There has to be a reason why so many people especially Hindus vote for the BJP. He ran away after being tied up with his mother and clubbed for a night by an upper caste neighbour for allowing his goat to wander. Khusro Khan, step-son of Alauddin Khalji.After Alauddin's death in 1316, Khusrau Khan managed to kill Alauddin's son and successor as sultan Qutb ud din Mubarak Shah, ending the Khalji Dynasty in 1320. 100 percent correct. Perhaps not. If you wish to object such processing, please read the instructions described in our Cookie Policy / Privacy Policy. 72% of the new converts to Hinduism were Dalit Christians, mostly Christian Cheramars, Christian Sambavas and Christian Pulayas. However, Taoism does have its own religious conversion ceremony which seems[original research?] Moinuddin Chisti facilitated the coming of the Islamic Jihad to India by mediating the union of Jai Chand and Mohammed Ghori. A List of Converts to Hinduism: 1. I would list some of the people here, 1. Some of these . 06/24/2021 India (International Christian Concern) - Using extremely anti-minority rhetoric, a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader in India on Wednesday tweeted his support for mass 're-conversion' programs pushing Indian Christians and Muslims to convert to Hinduism. Indians look up to the judiciary to uphold the secular values of the republic, and the Supreme Court has, time and again, thwarted onslaughts on peoples core fundamental right of religious freedom. Here I am safe.". Hinduism has no traditional ecclesiastical order, no centralized religious authorities, no universally accepted governing body, no binding holy book nor any mandatory prayer attendance requirements. Mormon baptism does not purport to remit any sins other than personal ones, as adherents do not believe in original sin. 17 Thiyya community members including 11 females converted to Islam. Now we are on Telegram too. [15] Because the churches of the Latter Day Saint movement operate under a lay priesthood, children raised in a Mormon family are usually baptized by a father or close male friend or family member who has achieved the office of priest, which is conferred upon worthy male members at least 16 years old in the LDS Church. Before becoming prime minister, Modi was previously denied a US visa following accusations that he stood by during, or even encouraged, sectarian violence in the western state of Gujarat in 2002, when he was chief minister. [citation needed]. The Christian minority is significantly smaller. This table summarizes three Protestant beliefs. Compared with the semetic beliefs of Islam and Christianity, Hinduism is perceived by the Parivar as effete and weak because of its internal divisions of caste and regionalism. The moment where one has made pure intentions to convert to Hinduism, he will be regarded as a Hindu. Religious Freedom and Mass Conversion in India illuminates the ways in which these tactics immobilize potential converts, reinforce damaging assumptions about women, lower castes, and religious minorities, and continue to restrict religious freedom in India today. Though ostensibly secular in objective, the anti-conversion laws in force in various states of India Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh (all areas with a significantly high population of tribals, Dalits, the depressed castes, and reeling from poverty, illiteracy and abysmal healthcare) in effect gives the government a vast swathe of control over peoples choices in matters of faith and religion. {{/more}}. Many dalit thinkers say that what is happening in India is a "religious rebellion" against a hierarchy that condemns them to a life of suffering. Political Consciousness in Indian English Writing: A Study Of Manohar Malgonkar, Naintara Sahgal & Bhabani Bhattacharya.1991, Bahri Publications. It has been distributing pamphlets in and around Aligarh seeking donations from the public to help fund a reconversion ghar wapsi (homecoming) ceremony that the saffron outfit is planning to hold on Christmas Day and during which it will seek to bring Muslims and Christians back into the Hindu fold from which they have allegedly strayed.