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What is Christianity like in India ?

ronki23

Well-Known Member
If Christians make up 1% of India's population that means there is 13 million Christians in India which is a pretty sizeable amount.

Are these practising Christians? If they are then do you think there are more practising Christians than UK, France or Germany?

Are there any famous Indian Christians in government or Bollywood?

What about the Nagaland and Manipur independence movements? Are these stemming from persecution ( was there persecution?)?
 

Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
Yes... there are practicing Christians in India. Probably more solid that in UK, France or Germany because you are more likely to loose your life in India than in Europe so it takes a more solid decision to follow Jesus Christ..

There is persecution. Shutting down of Christian schools and churches happen often. Some loosing their lives. I don't know about what constitutes "famous" or who is in Government. but I have a friend who would know.

What I do know is that there is in power a more Hindu-centric government that is overtly anti-Christian.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Christianity came to India by 50 CE with the Jewish merchants in Kerala.There were approximately 30 million Christians in India making some 2.5% of the population in 2011. Well, I can't speak for every Christian in India but like in Philippines and Sri Lanka, most of them are practicing and devout. In three small states in Eastern India, Christians are in absolute majority. - Nagaland (88%), Meghalaya (74.5%) and Mizoram (87%). Their is no separation movement in Nagaland now. Nagaland government is presently supporting Modi government at the Center. Read Wikipedia before you shoot questions.

Christianity in India - Wikipedia
Christianity in India - Wikipedia
Christianity in India - Wikipedia
List of Indian Christians - Wikipedia (Notable Christians)

Many things go on simultaneously in India. If you talk of persecution of Christians, recently two Hindu monks were lunched reportedly by Christians in Palghar, Maharashtra.
 
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metis

aged ecumenical anthropologist
What I do know is that there is in power a more Hindu-centric government that is overtly anti-Christian.
And the p.m. there is definitely Trump-like, which is quite a shame since India has long had a pattern of at least tolerating other religions and also welcoming some in.
 

Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
And the p.m. there is definitely Trump-like, which is quite a shame since India has long had a pattern of at least tolerating other religions and also welcoming some in.
You have to take a break in your thinking patter Metis. :D Next - you will be saying that my face is reminding you of Trump :D
 

February-Saturday

Devil Worshiper
I personally knew a Catholic dude who moved to India to marry a Hindu, and they have a household shrine dedicated to "Shri Isha." He started speaking about how Jesus went to India before returning to the Roman empire to start working miracles. He described Shri Isha as the form of Jesus Christ that's an aspect of Shiva.

Since then, I haven't really been able to find much information on that. I find a ton of results when I search "Shri Jesus Christ," though. I know that his Catholic family pretty much disowned him.

I've never been to India, I would assume that this isn't representative, but I've heard similar stories of either Christian reinterpreting Jesus when they move to India or Hindus venerating Jesus in that same sort of way in order to try to marry into some of the stricter sects of Christianity.

I've never heard of this sort of thing taking place outside of India. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it seems to be mostly unique. I don't think it tells you too much about Christian Indians, but it seemed relevant when you're asking what Christianity is like in India. I wonder to what degree Christians in India are influenced by Hindu thought.
 

ronki23

Well-Known Member
Christianity came to India by 50 CE with the Jewish merchants in Kerala.There were approximately 30 million Christians in India making some 21.5% of the population in 2011. Well, I can't speak for every Christian in India but like in Philippines and Sri Lanka, most of them are practicing and devout. In three small states in Eastern India, Christians are in absolute majority. - Nagaland (88%), Meghalaya (74.5%) and Mizoram (87%). Their is no separation movement in Nagaland now. Nagaland government is presently supporting Modi government at the Center. Read Wikipedia before you shoot questions.

Christianity in India - Wikipedia
Christianity in India - Wikipedia
Christianity in India - Wikipedia
List of Indian Christians - Wikipedia (Notable Christians)

Many things go on simultaneously in India. If you talk of persecution of Christians, recently two Hindu monks were lunched reportedly by Christians in Palghar, Maharashtra.

I wrongly thought it was 1% of the population but you overestimated it tenfold!
 

ronki23

Well-Known Member
Yes... there are practicing Christians in India. Probably more solid that in UK, France or Germany because you are more likely to loose your life in India than in Europe so it takes a more solid decision to follow Jesus Christ..

There is persecution. Shutting down of Christian schools and churches happen often. Some loosing their lives. I don't know about what constitutes "famous" or who is in Government. but I have a friend who would know.

What I do know is that there is in power a more Hindu-centric government that is overtly anti-Christian.

And the p.m. there is definitely Trump-like, which is quite a shame since India has long had a pattern of at least tolerating other religions and also welcoming some in.

The Indian National Congress tends to represent India's 200 million Muslims, 20 million Christians and the backwards castes.

If you choose the INC you choose socialism, beauracracy and corruption.
 
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Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
I'm sure it varies widely, but India is religious. Many groups try to out do each other, almost competitively. In general,the Christians are no different. A lot of time is spent on religion, and for most that is the norm.

When I was there (twice, not for long, one region only) there was an amiable distancing and non-interference attitude amongst most. There was some resentment when foreign money got involved locally, just for the benefit of one group.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
What I do know is that there is in power a more Hindu-centric government that is overtly anti-Christian.
Ken, you must know that Hindus suffered all these 60 years under anti-Hindu governments. The Gandhi family is Catholic. So do not grudge Hindus some power now.
I wrongly thought it was 1% of the population but you overestimated it tenfold!
Yeah, that was a typo (21.5%), which I have corrected now (2.5%). But I believe the numbers to be much higher than that.
The Indian National Congress tends to represent India's 200 million Muslims, 20 million Christians and the backwards castes.
Indian National Congress represents nothing other than Gandhi family. The mother is desperately trying to make a leader out of her son and failing again and again.
 
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Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
Ken, you must know that Hindus suffered all these 60 years under anti-Hindu governments. The Gandhi family is Catholic. So do not grudge Hindus some power now.

Aupmanyav, I was just answering the question.

I have no grudge against the Hindu though I think freedom of religion should be standard. The message of Christianity is love. I am sorry that the Hindu's have suffered. Who were the ones that attacked the Hindu's?
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Yeah, the world in the last 2,000 years has had enough of Christian love. There is no problem about religious freedom, but there is problem about evangelism. Evangelism inserts conflicts where there are none. As I said Christianity came to India within 50 years of its creation and has been here without much conflict.

The Nehru-Gandhi family always worked towards the detriment of Hinduism because of political reasons. They divided Hindus and encouraged Muslims. Now they are in the dustbin of history, and India is going through a restructuring.
 

metis

aged ecumenical anthropologist
The Indian National Congress tends to represent India's 200 million Muslims, 20 million Christians and the backwards castes.
First of all, you forgot millions of Hindus and, secondly, imo there's no such thing as "backward castes" as I believe we are all children of God.

If you choose the INC you choose socialism, beauracracy and corruption.
I frankly don't choose any political party in India since I don't live there.
 

ronki23

Well-Known Member
First of all, you forgot millions of Hindus and, secondly, imo there's no such thing as "backward castes" as I believe we are all children of God.

I frankly don't choose any political party in India since I don't live there.

The NDA consists of BJP (900 million Hindus), Akali Dal (25 million Sikhs) and Buddhists and Jains. By far majority representation as opposed to the UPA led by INC
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
If you choose the INC you choose socialism, beaurocracy and corruption.
Yeah, fake / pseudo-socialism, which kept the people of India poor for half a century. Indira Gandhi said 'Gharibi Hatao' (remove poverty) in 1971. We are still struggling with that.

7f4c24720d384597aa49eb48d6b0ee16.jpg
 

metis

aged ecumenical anthropologist
Yeah, fake / pseudo-socialism, which kept the people of India poor for half a century. Indira Gandhi said 'Gharibi Hatao' (remove poverty) in 1971. We are still struggling with that.

7f4c24720d384597aa49eb48d6b0ee16.jpg
Moving into the global economy over the last several decades definitely has had a positive effect economically on India and many other formerly non-industrial countries, thus it goes well beyond personalities. But a problem is at what expense, and that could be discussed on another thread.
 

ronki23

Well-Known Member
Yeah, the world in the last 2,000 years has had enough of Christian love. There is no problem about religious freedom, but there is problem about evangelism. Evangelism inserts conflicts where there are none. As I said Christianity came to India within 50 years of its creation and has been here without much conflict.

The Nehru-Gandhi family always worked towards the detriment of Hinduism because of political reasons. They divided Hindus and encouraged Muslims. Now they are in the dustbin of history, and India is going through a restructuring.
Yes... there are practicing Christians in India. Probably more solid that in UK, France or Germany because you are more likely to loose your life in India than in Europe so it takes a more solid decision to follow Jesus Christ..

There is persecution. Shutting down of Christian schools and churches happen often. Some loosing their lives. I don't know about what constitutes "famous" or who is in Government. but I have a friend who would know.

What I do know is that there is in power a more Hindu-centric government that is overtly anti-Christian.

I personally knew a Catholic dude who moved to India to marry a Hindu, and they have a household shrine dedicated to "Shri Isha." He started speaking about how Jesus went to India before returning to the Roman empire to start working miracles. He described Shri Isha as the form of Jesus Christ that's an aspect of Shiva.

Since then, I haven't really been able to find much information on that. I find a ton of results when I search "Shri Jesus Christ," though. I know that his Catholic family pretty much disowned him.

I've never been to India, I would assume that this isn't representative, but I've heard similar stories of either Christian reinterpreting Jesus when they move to India or Hindus venerating Jesus in that same sort of way in order to try to marry into some of the stricter sects of Christianity.

I've never heard of this sort of thing taking place outside of India. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it seems to be mostly unique. I don't think it tells you too much about Christian Indians, but it seemed relevant when you're asking what Christianity is like in India. I wonder to what degree Christians in India are influenced by Hindu thought.

I'm sure it varies widely, but India is religious. Many groups try to out do each other, almost competitively. In general,the Christians are no different. A lot of time is spent on religion, and for most that is the norm.

When I was there (twice, not for long, one region only) there was an amiable distancing and non-interference attitude amongst most. There was some resentment when foreign money got involved locally, just for the benefit of one group.

Aupmanyav, I was just answering the question.

I have no grudge against the Hindu though I think freedom of religion should be standard. The message of Christianity is love. I am sorry that the Hindu's have suffered. Who were the ones that attacked the Hindu's?

@LuisDantas

I'm not your typical Hindu because I don't believe in 33-330 million Gods. Hindus took Buddha even though Buddha said God is not necessary to reach Nirvana. Hindus took the 10-12 Gurus of Sikhism even though they rejected janoi,mangal sutra, aarti and fasting. So I will also take Jesus (please don't associate me with the Mormons, Jehovahs and various other Protestants).

Buddha, The Gurus and Jesus have all been beneficial in their teachings- I would like to live my life by what they prescribe: Sanatan Dharma and Islam have far too many rituals for my liking. Arya Samaj looks good at face value but for some reason Sikhs dislike them.
 

ronki23

Well-Known Member
Yeah, fake / pseudo-socialism, which kept the people of India poor for half a century. Indira Gandhi said 'Gharibi Hatao' (remove poverty) in 1971. We are still struggling with that.

7f4c24720d384597aa49eb48d6b0ee16.jpg

Where did you read that deregulation and the free market were BJP's modus operandi ? Manmohan Singh (Congress) started it in 1991
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Manmohan Singh was born only yesterday. BJP's former avatara, Jana Sangh (1951), had this theme right from the beginning. And it was not Manmohan Singh, but Narsimha Rao who started it.
 
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