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Challenges to religious coexistence in India
Dear Friends:
I felt that it is time that we discussed this important issue and develop
an awareness of the challenges of coexistence of religions in India. What
I write now is basically my impressions, and I am eager to see what you
think of these issues.
Issue 1: Perspectives that vary
When we talk to each other, our biases come through in the interpretation
of Hinduism. Sometimes we end a conversation by forcing ourselves to
declare that multiple views must be accepted as a key ingredient to
religious harmony, at the same time wishing the situation to be more to our
liking. Is this truly the accommodation of various ideas or is this merely
a demonstration of the alleged "confused world of Hinduism" ?
Christian writers insist that it is indeed a confused world for Hindus, and
declare that we are in a situation akin to pre-reformation medieval church
in Europe. To them, present day India is merely a living laboratory of
sorts, a page from the medieval European history. Personally, I do not
agree to this representation. In addition to differences in cultures,
there are major differences in how we Hindus view religious reform.
Indeed, at any given point of time in India, there are various reform
movements in progress. However, in the final analysis, they all look to
God as the eventual reformer, to descend and live among us, as He did
several thousand years ago as Sri Krishna. For Hindus, reform is primarily
the revival of Sanatana Dharma. The outlook of the various reform movements
is to find ways to come together, and not from breakaway splinter groups.
For us, reform is not high politics, but the execution of Divine plan.
When it comes to inter-religious dialog, the traditional perspectives are
even more divergent. Apparently the communities of believers do not have
much interest in inter-religious dialog. Nevertheless, when these happen,
the primary reason why such events do not get the headlines appears to be
the entrenched attitudes of the believer communities. While reviewing the
problems for Muslim-Christian dialog, Jeremy Johns noted,
"The relationship between Christianity and Islam during the middle ages is
usually seen, in the west, in terms of military conflict and in the east,
in terms of Arab contribution to western culture. It is symptomatic of the
past (and of the continuing) relationship between the two faiths, that each
focuses upon an issue that the other regards as peripheral."
It is almost funny that such attitudes dominate heavily over any discussion
that may be taking place, instead of criteria like scholarship and
spiritual experience.
Issue 2: Universalism
In Christianity, the main thrust is in limitarianism, also known as
exclusivism as opposed to universalism. Universalism remain a minority
opinion in Christianity. Hinduism is universalistic, and this is embedded
in the Indian way of thinking. What does universalism do? It created the
Sufis from the Islamic fold, who the Muslims happily embrace in India. But
it failed to do very much for Christianity in India, not because of a lack
of similar spiritual experiences, but because of politics in high places,
the exercise of the remote control. A little review of history will help in
elucidating this assertion. My primary source of information is the book,
"The oxford illustrated history of Christianity" edited by John Mcmanners.
The chapter 14 of this book deals with Christianity in Asia.
Despite the Christian high command, some of the Indian converts could not
close their eyes to Hindu Scriptures just because they chose to follow
Christ. For example, Krishna Mohan Banerjea, an Anglican clergy wished
that Christian doctrine in India include a statement like, Hinduism points
towards Christianity just like the Old testament is fulfilled by the coming
of Christ. Some thought that Vedic texts would be appropriately
substituted for the Old Testament in India. Hendrik Kraemer stopped these
initiatives.
Brahmabandhab Upadhyay, a Roman Catholic would wear Hindu robes and
declared that it is possible to be both a Hindu and a Christian. He wrote
his views in his journal "Sophia". The Apostolic delegates forbade
Catholics to read his writings.
Christian exclusivism does not, in general, accept the notion of universal
spirituality but Indians thrive on it. The result is that Christianity
remained a western religion in India. This created hostilities among
Hindus and Christians including suggestions like that Christian
missionaries are telling their followers that they do not anymore have
anything in common with the mainstream India, and thus are inciting
separatism of sorts.
This is one issue that continue to divide us and remains a challenge to
both Hindus and Christians.
Issue 3: Apocryphal texts and obscure Puranas
I recognize this as an issue but am not prepared to talk about it yet.
Issue 4: Rationalism
Rationalists do not claim to 'explain' God, or the way Divine plans
function among us. But they can be quite irrational themselves, and when
it is coupled with their inherent feeling of superiority, they try to
enforce their project on us, which is, the believers should not make any
noises. In their view, since they are in reality, keeping the precarious
peace for the goofy bunch of believers (who can not do it themselves), the
latter need to acknowledge their precious role in society and basically
follow their lead. Plainly stated, their message is, "Shut up, you stupid
oafs!".
Perhaps, I was a little unkind to them, but I do not really view them as a
challenge to the peaceful coexistence of a multi-faith society like India.
I will stop here presently, and hope that you would share your thoughts.
With best regards,
Dhruba.
