The Hindu : dated May 2,1953: Foreign Missionaries and Conversion

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Friday, May 02, 2003

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dated May 2,1953: Foreign Missionaries and Conversion

H.S. Narasiah, Founder, Gandhian Brotherhood, said in a letter to the Editor, "It will be interesting to recall what Gandhiji said on this subject. Opening a discussion amidst a fellowship of faiths and nationalities assembled on January 19, 1928, Gandhiji said: `I came to the conclusion long ago, after prayerful research and discussion with as many people as I could meet, that all religions were true, and also that all had some error in them; and that, whilst I hold my own religion, I should hold others as dear as Hinduism, from which it logically follows that we should hold all as dear as our nearest kith and kin, and make no distinction between them. So, we can only pray if we are Hindus, not that a Christian should become a Hindu, or if we are Mussalmans not that a Hindu or a Christian should become a Mussalman, nor should we even secretly pray that anyone should be converted: our inmost prayer should be that a Hindu should be a better Hindu, a Muslim a better Muslim, and a Christian a better Christian.' When asked to clarify this statement, Gandhiji stated: `I would not only not try to convert but would not even secretly pray that anyone should embrace my faith.''

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