Hindu mobs attack US Missionaries

[safar]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...s_assault_dc_1

Hindu mob attacks U.S. missionaries in Bombay

Mon Jun 13, 6:35 AM ET

Angry Hindu youths beat three American missionaries and tried to kidnap one as they held a bible studies class in Bombay, police said on Monday.

About 30 or 40 men attacked the three, part of a group of eight, on Saturday night because they thought the missionaries were trying to convert Hindus in the Indian financial capital.

The three were treated for bruises and cuts at a hospital but were not seriously injured, police said.

"While this kind of attack is rare in Bombay, the police must take serious action against those responsible and send a clear message that religious intolerance will not be accepted in India," Bombay Catholic Sabha president Dolphy D'Souza said.

Christians are often accused of "forcibly" converting poor and uneducated low-caste Hindus by bribing them with money and gifts, a charge missionaries deny. Some states have outlawed forcible conversions.

Christians account for about two percent of India's more than one billion people. Religious conflicts more commonly pit Muslims -- about 13 percent of the population -- against Hindus, who make up about 80 percent.

In 1999, a Hindu mob burned alive an Australian missionary and his two young sons in Orissa state. Last month a court reduced the ringleader's sentence from death to life in jail.

[Theja]

Christians are the target of persecution in most countries of the world. Ugly incidences like these every now and then is nothing new in India.

Hinduism is a non-converting faith. One is only born a Hindu and fit into a particular caste structure. But some Hindus do renounce their religion. This is the reason Hindus feel insecure and act irrationally on rumors when it comes to dealing with Christians. The other obvious reason is their hatred for Christianity.

There are too many poor and desperate in India, and Christians are willing to help them in some ways. In the process some people see the kindness of God in such actions and request to receive Christ.

The charge that Christians are bribing or forcing people to convert is as old as the devil himself. Bribing or forcing to convert is an illegitimate behavior in the sight of God. Such conversions God does not recognize. It has to come from the heart of the person. Even the poorest and the least powerful has the privilege of choosing from the heart. God sees the heart and He takes note of every heartfelt conversion.

Christians are given salvation not simply to brag about it. But to transform (become mature) and then do good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). Many people teach on salvation by grace through faith, and fail to mention what follows -- that is, one is saved to do good works and bring glory to the name of the Lord (Matthew 5:16).

Whether a person converts or not is in the hands of the almighty God. It is the duty of Christians to give and to do good works. Even if there are persecutions and allegations, christians cannot help but obey the commands of the Lord as outlined in the Bible.

Persecution will not cease whether a Christian is among Hindus or Muslims. Yet, Christians too will not cease obeying the Lord. Because, in the end, everyone must give an account of himself/herself to God (Romans 14:12).

[DrJames]

The charge that Christians are bribing or forcing people to convert is as old as the devil himself. Bribing or forcing to convert is an illegitimate behavior in the sight of God. Such conversions God does not recognize. It has to come from the heart of the person. Even the poorest and the least powerful has the privilege of choosing from the heart. God sees the heart and He takes note of every heartfelt conversion.

Christians are given salvation not simply to brag about it. But to transform (become mature) and then do good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). Many people teach on salvation by grace through faith, and fail to mention what follows -- that is, one is saved to do good works and bring glory to the name of the Lord (Matthew 5:16).

Bro Taga. How can Christians force people to convert?
And what method do they use? I would realy want to know. May be I mist understand your posting, sorry>>>>

[Theja]

James, you misread my point. NonChristians allege that Christians are bribing or forcing people to convert. My article is refuting this allegation.

Read carefully: people cannot be forced to convert. People cannot be bribed to convert.

[DrJames]

Some how I know I was wrong Bro Taja.
Keep fighting the good fight.