Conference on Christian Conversion Activities Among Hindus, Guyana 1996

Conference Convener:         Swami Aksharananda
Date:                                     Sunday, April 28, 1996
Place:                                    Cove and John Ashram, East Coast Demerara, Guyana
Conference Theme:              Hinduism in Aapaat Kaal
Presenters:                            Pujya Swami Aksharananda (G), Shri Ravindranath Maharaj (T), Shri Ravi Dev (G), Pt. Krishna Persaud (G), Pt. Ramu Maharaj (Magistrate, G), Shri Kawall Persaud (G), Pt. Indranie Rampersaud (T), Shri Deonarine Lilliah (G), Shri Ganga Persaud (G)

HINDUISM IN AAPAAT KAAL - STATE OF EMERGENCY - DECLARES HINDU CONFERENCE

Reported in: Caribbean Jahaji Vol.1 No.3.

On Sunday April 28th., 1996 a historic conference was held at the Cove and John Ashram School on the East Coast of Demerara, in Guyana to arrive at a Hindu position on "Conversion Activity in Multi-Religious Societies". The delegates concluded that Hindu society was in state of emergency - Aapaat Kaal, on account of several external and internal factors, of which Christian missionary activity was only one. The Aapad Dharma (actions necessary for such conditions), were summarized in twenty Resolutions approved by the Conference.

The Conference was convened by Swami Aksharananda, a Guyanese Sanyasin, who is starting his mission in the Caribbean after earning Bachelor and Masters degrees from Benares Hindu University in India, and a PhD. from the University of Wisconsin, USA, prior to his taking Diksha or initiation in Rishikesh, India.

All the major Hindu organizations and activists in Guyana were invited and approximately 200 delegates, representing a cross section of the community participated. Special invitees from T&T were Sri Ravindranath Maharaj (Raviji), President of the Hindu Prachar Kendra and Pandita Indrani Rampersad of the Hindu Women’s Organization.

In its first session the conference listened to several addresses, six of which are excerpted below. Following Bhojan, graciously and efficiently provided by the Guyana Sevashram Sangha, the delegates broke into three working groups in order to summarize the views of the entire body. After the presentations of the group leaders, resolutions were presented to the Conference for its vote.

There is a very popular myth especially prevalent amongst our Hindu leaders, that Hinduism will somehow survive regardless of what we do in the here and now. And I repeat, this is a myth. And a dangerous myth at that for it encourages many of us to simply sit on our hands and do nothing. Hinduism, and for that matter, any other religion which has survived, has only done so on account of the strenuous, sustained and deliberate efforts of countless souls through the ages.

There is a difference between nature and religion. Religion does not breathe air for its survival; it is a product of man’s social consciousness and can only perpetuate itself through his concrete social practices.

As far as Hinduism is concerned, there was never a time when there were not ordinary and enlightened souls working day and night for its well being. We should remember that even in India, Hinduism was almost eclipsed by Buddhism, until the great Shankaracharya rolled back the tide through his superhuman efforts.

Let us not be fooled. If every census since 1917 has shown an increase in the percentage of Indians who call themselves "Christians", and a corresponding decrease in the percentage of Hindus, it does not take a genius to extrapolate into a future where there are no more Hindus in the Caribbean. It has happened in places like Grenada and St. Lucia. As my friend Raviji reminded us earlier, "There will be no Hinduism without Hindus".

We have come in solidarity with all who bear the name Hindu. We should think of ourselves as a Caribbean Hindu Parivar (family), rather than as Trinidad or Guyanese Hindu. When families have problems, they should sit down and discuss the problems with a view towards arriving at solutions. It is in spirit that I have come amongst you to share my views on a problem which confronts all Hindus, the problem of Christian missionary activity.

I feel that as a Hindu I am under siege. I know that a war has been declared on us. As was reported in the April issue of Caribbean Jahaji, Christian men and women "of God" sat down and decided on a plan to wipe out Hinduism. They have the will, they have the mind-set, they have the money and they have the lack of conscience to execute their plan. They also have, not incidentally, the blessings of big and powerful nations.

We Hindus very proudly practice our tradition of Atithi, of hospitality and openness to all. But today, I respectfully submit, that in this state of war which has been declared on us, we have to adopt Aapad Dharma, that is, the dharma or actions appropriate to a time of crisis or calamity. Aapad Dharma dictates in countless precedents, from Vishwamitra’s eating of a dog in order to survive so as to protect Dharma, to Sri Krishna’s exhortation for Arjuna to battle his relatives, that Hinduism must be defended by any means necessary.

I spent eighteen years in an institution called the Presbyterian church, where my mothers were called prostitutes and my fathers, thieves. The Christian church is not an ocean of compassion as they preach, but an ocean of viciousness. If you do not conform to their views, you are "devils and sinners". They never offer help unless they see the opportunity to make converts.

In the modern education system, we are taught that everything Hindu is "bad", and only Christianity is "good". We must break out of this vicious cycle. If we recognize a disease, we must work to eradicate it.

There are many like myself who have been forced to convert to Christianity by circumstances. They can be reclaimed into the bosom of Hinduism. This must be our goal.

We must recognize that our attitude of allowing all to come amongst us to preach must cease it they first cannot accept that our practices are valid and that they are willing to share in them. We cannot sing "Ishwar Allah tere Nam", while they insist that Jehovah is the only God and their theology encourages them to tear down our temples.

I have to tell you that I differ with some who advise that we have to "dialogue" with those Christian missionaries who pound on our doors to convert us. I say, do not waste your time explaining anything. You do not have to apologize for being Hindu, and this is what you do when they force you to "explain" or "defend’ Hindu beliefs. By the nature of their questions, they have already forced you to be defensive. In your yard! Why don’t they defend Christianity? They have committed much of the horrors in the world.

We have to stand up and defend our Dharma. Do not be afraid of standing up and saying "NO!" When the missionary comes to your yard tell them, "You see that Jhanda (Flag) over there? This is a Hindu home. Have a good day." Just say "NO!" Try it, you’ll feel good!

As we fight this war which has been declared on us, I leave you with one final thought. Hindu women must be included in this struggle. The men must encourage the women in their lives to take leadership roles, or else we waste fifty percent of our human resources. We can win no battle, much less a war, by such a position. Especially when the Christians have identified Hindu women as their prime targets, since they are "the custodians of the faith".

In the family, Conversion pits mothers and fathers against each other: family life and harmony ceases. In the nation, conversionism ensures that our national motto of "one people, one nation, one destiny" never becomes reality. For one can never create unity by putting shame into the minds of one group of people, forcing them to abandon their heritage and lifestyles. And this is the secret of the Missionaries’ successes, creating shame which pushes Hindus to don jacket and tie to feel better about themselves as "Christians".

Only when the Hindu can stand up and proudly say "I am Hindu!" that we stand a chance of our national motto being realized. Unity cannot be coerced. Equality cannot arise out of the destruction of the self esteem of half our country’s population. How many places are there not in this country where we are made to feel ashamed to express our Hindu religion?

One question which must be asked is , "What is the Hindu being converted from?" One of the greatest traditions of the world, that’s what. One of the most profound philosophies ever conceived by man, that’s what. This tradition must be allowed to have expression in the Caribbean. We have much to offer this region on how plural societies may live in harmony.

The missionary comes to rob you of your heritage and culture. This is war! Stand up for your rights. As Tuslidasji said, if you have the power, pull out the tongue of the revilers of our religion."

In addition to the major presenters, the entire body of delegates was broken up into three working groups, Rama, Shiva and Sita, whose representatives delivered their deliberations and recommendations to the Conference.

The causes for the success of Christian missionary activity in Hindu communities have both internal and external sources. Externally, the Christians have access to strong foreign organizations which supply them with money, but more importantly with the information and plans of activities supported by a constant stream of foreign missionaries.

The Christians also have access to Government buildings such as schools, radio stations etc., which give them an unfair advantage.

Internally, we are suffering from the fact that, as a community, we are very much under-developed. Our leaders should become more trained both in terms of Hindu knowledge and organizational skills. Not only the Pandits and the wealthy, but all the educated and knowledgeable Hindus should be given the opportunity to work for Hinduism. We all have to become Hindu ambassadors.

By focusing only on Mandir activities as defining our Hinduness, we leave many other social needs of our people unattended which are exploited by the Christian missionaries. These needs include visiting our sick, medical problems, family disputes, poverty etc. We need to organize Satsanghs all over our land to assist the Mandirs. Hinduism has to be taken to the people.

Missionary activity has had a very disruptive impact on Hindu families, setting brother against brother, father against mother. The converted adopt a very superior attitude towards the others in the family, regarding them as "sinners". They begin to imitate Europeans in their mode of dress, speech, food, and behavior cutting themselves off from their culture. Why should a religion change your speech?

Our Nation suffers because of the kind of divisions created in our societies. The most bitter conflicts are between family members when they are divided.

Causes of Missionary Success (External)

Missionaries have made great inroads in Hindu communities for many reasons, some of which have been mentioned. One other reason is that they have taken advantage of the poverty of our people and have gone amongst them with offers of free clothes, food and in some cases, houses, in exchange for conversion. The Christian missionary only uses "help" to gain converts, no matter what he says to the contrary. Visas to America are another inducement the missionary uses.

Using the Christian control of the media, the textbooks, and other information distribution mechanisms, the missionary inherits an environment which presents a picture of Christianity being very attractive and progressive and Hinduism as being very dull and backward. Whenever there is negative information on Hinduism, it is given great prominence; the achievements are never mentioned.

We, the common Hindu, do not understand our great Dharma to the extent that we ought to. Our leaders, especially Pandits, must accept a great deal of blame for this lack of Hindu education. But the time for blame is long past. Each Hindu, especially parents, has to take up the responsibility of obtaining knowledge of the basics of Hinduism and pass these on to our young. Only then will we be able to reflect Hinduism in our lifestyles, which has to be our goal.

When a missionary approaches our homes we should always keep in mind that there is only one thing on his mind - to convert us from our religion. He does not care whether our religion gives us the answers we seek or not, he has already concluded that Hinduism is no good and that Christianity is better. Or why else would he want to convert us? We are his targets, his gifts and threats of eternal damnation are his weapons and the destruction of Hinduism is his goal. THIS IS A DECLARATION OF WAR.

We can respond in one of three ways. We can accept defeat, we can engage them in debate or we can "tell them off". We recommend that Christian Missionaries be confronted by reason and logic but the bottom line is that we must defend Hinduism by any means necessary.

Causes for Missionary Success (External)

Our group agrees with the previous presenters on the external causes of missionary success and would stress that our leaders address this aspect of the problem which has been totally ignored. Every program that the Hindu formulates must include concrete steps to confront this hidden danger.

In summary we may say that all our problems as a community arises from the fact that we are not receiving or imparting Hindu Sanskars. These are deep "impressions" which are created within us upon receiving a proper Hindu education/training.

Language is a crucial factor in the formation of consciousness and we identify the destruction of Hindi as a spoken language as one of the prime factors in our defensive posture. We should therefore demand the teaching of Hindi not only in all our mandirs but also in all our schools, colleges and training institutions.

Money is crucial to the success of the programs which are necessary to bring back our Dharma to its rightful place. Strong finances are one of the cornerstones of the Christian success. After the initial push from foreign sources, much of the Christian funding come from our own Hindus who converted, and now give a fixed percentage of their income as "tithe". Our system of funding ensures that our Mandirs are controlled by a few wealthy individuals.

We also would like to stress the concrete proposals on Hindu education which were mentioned by previous speakers.

The whole approach of the missionary is to make the Hindu feel bad about his religion and thus himself. The missionary takes Hindu beliefs and practices and deliberately misrepresents them so as to make the Hindu ashamed. The missionary very rarely approaches a Hindu who is knowledgeable in his faith, but rather preys on the weak and helpless.

The missionary emphasizes the low self esteem which the other organs have given to the Hindu and now solves it by offering a Western way of life! God, who is supposed to be the center of religion is given a back seat. The Hindu must have programs which will expose him to the depths of his religion and so lift up his self esteem with what is actually God centered.