Misconceived ideas

Sir, - Of late, there has been enough and more written and spoken about forced conversions. It is rather humorous that the RSS while conceding the right to practise, preach and propagate the religion of one's choice (as enshrined in the Constitution) does not accept conversions.

What is the purpose of propagation and preaching of one's religion if the goal is not to effect a change of heart in the one preached to? A person preaches and propagates his own religion believing it to be the true one in order to convince others to believe in it. In fact, for the Christian it is a commission laid down by Christ himself. Conversation is a matter of change of heart and conscience as the RSS agrees (``RSS welcomes PM's statement, Aug. 21). Can one's heart and conscience, that is the way he thinks, be changed forcibly?

The RSS has also stated that whilst it is tolerant to conversions to Buddhism and other Indian religions, it cannot tolerate conversions to Islam and Christianity, which are `foreign' religions. One cannot help but be amused by the fact that the RSS thinks that geographic boundaries can be drawn to the way a person thinks (his heart and conscience).

Perhaps these misconceived ideas about forcible conversions which obviously stem from a sense of uncertainty and a lack of self- confidence have led to the assaults and violence on Christians and Christian institutions in our country in recent times.

It is no exaggeration to say that the docile nature of Christians has been exploited. History has shown time and again that whenever Christians have been persecuted and attempts made to suppress Christianity, it has only resulted in a resurgence of the religion. Christians will never retaliate for what has been meted out to them in certain parts of our country, but yes Christianity will grow.

Dr. Ravi T. Santosham,

Chennai

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