Dalit Christians reconvert to Hinduism (Jesus, tradition, Buddhism, prophet)

[Father Heathen]

Originally Posted by Don Penguinoini

I suppose you are one to believe all of this.

Should I believe the reports of an international human rights watch organization, or believe some random anonymous kid on the internet?

[Hema]

Whether these facts are true or not, I would not say it is the fault of Hinduism or the caste system in itself. It is people's wrongful interpretation of it. It's an example of how people take something from religion, twist it around to suit their selfish human purposes and justify it under the guise of being part of their religious teachings.

The caste system is supposed to differentiate one's role in society. Eg. some of us are labourers, some are business people. some are warriors (army etc.), some are religious leaders. Everyone has different roles to play in society. Some people think that some roles are lower but they all serve a purpose. They are all necessary for society to function as a whole. Someone can even move from one caste to another but because of the way it is practised in India, I don't think it would be allowed.

If we look at the Holy Ramayan, there was a woman named Sevari who was considered by society as low caste. However she was a devotee of God. One day the Lord in his Avatar of Shri Ram came to her home. It was unacceptable for someone of a high caste to eat from someone low caste but the Lord ate from her because he saw her devotion. He gave her his blessings. God sees us all equally because we are all his children. If God does not discriminate, why should we? The Spirit of God, the Soul, the Atman is the same in everyone. Even the Bhagavad Gita says that a true devotee sees the Lord equally in all living beings.

[Don Penguinoini]

Your interpretation, and the indian interpretation of it is wrong. It is comletely misused.

[Father Heathen]

Girl, 6, thrown on fire for being 'lowest class' - CNN.com

[Somkid]

Good for them welcome back to the middle way and the Dharma.

[Hema]

Originally Posted by Father Heathen

Girl, 6, thrown on fire for being 'lowest class' - CNN.com

Ugh...that is horrible. I just can't understand this thinking. The Bhagavad Gita clearly states that we are not the body...we are Atman or Spirit...which is God...God, who is pure and perfect. The Gita also says that a true devotee sees this Atman in all of creation...in all living creatures.

[Father Heathen]

It's bad enough that people get discriminated against based on their race, gender, nationality, sexuality, or religion, but it's really ridiculous when it's based on something totally imaginary.

[zenzero]

Friends,
The discussion seems to have two parts.
1. Conversion of Dalit Christians to Hinduism
2. Caste system in Hinduism.

Regards the first point; there seems to be a race to get people to follow a particular WAY /Religion. When the objective of Life of all beings is to merge or get back to its source. However let it be understood that in reality every being is intter connected except that it is not realised. Then what diffrerence does it make to follow either Christianity or Himduism or Buddhism? The choice is personal and does not call for any others to comment or discuss.
Moreover in India were Christianity was introduced in the 1800 and due to their missionary activity of caring for the people, educating them [ The Best Educational Institutions in India in most cities are Jesuits {catholics** **. So what is wrong if poor prople get some proper guidance in religion besides self development? Hindus have spent their money in making Temples and dharmashalas and namimg them after themselves. In most cities in India there are BIRLA temnples? Is that BIRLA some god? Usually temples are known by the god it houses not the person who makes it. In dharmashalas you will find even the door, fans and each item has been marked by the name of the prson donating it. If one is doing charity and claiming that so means his ego is still alive like when Boddhidhrma visited China and the emorer asked if all his good deeds in the name of religion will earn him any merit? Everyone knows the answere.
Similarly each action results in a reaction similarly due to Hindus failing did the Christians could convert the poor people in their fold; which is not wrong when the goal remains the same which ever way one reaches there. Similarly if some finds that Hindusim was better and converts back, it is there personal choice and non should be discussing that.
ABOUT Caste system it was not meant to be practiced the way it turned out to be BUT the Brahmins [which actually means - persons having knowledge about the BRAHMA or the creator] but in reality there are no Brahmins as the so called Brahmins do not know anything about Brahma used the caste system to their own selfish benefits and what followed was. Modern day due to education this is slowly changing besides the advent of globalisation the scenrio is catching speed. Today we find people Globally are more aware / concious about everything including enlightenment.
Friends, let us all be enlightened and allow whatever is happeining to happen as kindly remember that existence always seeks BALANCE and whatever happens, happens due to that.
Love & rgds

[Aupmanyav]

Hindus know the value of charity without ego. That is why some people give 'gupt dana' (giving without declaring the name of the giver. Birlas and other money bags also must be giving a lot as 'gupt dana' for all we know. Why do christians have large churches? Are they essential? Similarly hindus also have constructed beautiful temples all through the history. They bring people to God (whether there is one or not is the matter for another topic).

The best educational institutions in India were established by the socialist government under Jawaharlal Nehru. The number of institutions has increased hundreds of times since independence. I do not deny that many good institutions were initially established by christians also but their peity is colored by the desire to win converts. Literacy rate in British India was 12.2 % in 1947. Since independence, the literacy rate grew from 18.33 % in 1951, to 28.30 % in 1961, 34.45 % in 1971, 43.57 % in 1981, 52.21 % in 1991, and 64.84 % in 2001. The expenditure on education has grown from 153 million rupees (I $ = 40 Rs.) during 1951-56 to 20 billion rupees in 1997-2002. (Figures from Wikipedia)

Yes, conversion is a right guaranteed by the constitution of India if not done by monetary inducement or by social pressure. There is nothing to discuss in this. It is not that India has become a christian country. Christian percetage is still in single digits.