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NY Times editorial continues pattern of disparaging Hindus: HAF

Published on 09 February, 2015
NY Times editorial continues pattern of disparaging Hindus: HAF

HAF reaffirms opposition to predatory proselytization

Washington, DC

In the wake of President Barack Obama’s mention of religious intolerance in India during his National Prayer Breakfast event, and a New York Times editorial bemoaning alleged religious conversions in India, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of pluralism and asked the New York Times to oppose predatory proselytization in any form. Offices at HAF have seen a flurry of inquiries and outrage this week over the editorial.

‘President Obama rightly champions Mahatma Gandhi for his principles of non-violence and religious pluralism, and we must strongly condemn any attack on a house of worship -- whether it be a church in New Delhi -- or temples, mosques, and gurdwaras in the United States,’ said Suhag Shukla, Esq., executive director of the HAF. ‘It is difficult, however, to overlook the hypocrisy inherent in the New York Times’ calling out of India over alleged religious conversions to Hinduism when the paper fails to condemn large scale predatory proselytization and religious conversions away from Hinduism and other traditions that are ongoing around the world and funded largely by American institutions.’

As recently as last month, HAF strongly argued that predatory proselytization -- coercing or inducing people to leave their faith with the promise of money, jobs, healthcare, or education in a bid to ‘harvest souls’ -- impacts society as an act of violence.  Leaders have also expressed grave concern over the role US and European faith-based groups play in fomenting hate and contributing to global conflict.  

According to the Government of India, US and Europe based Christian evangelical organizations send well over $120 million per year to the country for missionary work, indoctrination, and conversion activity. This massive influx of money often leads to mass conversions and disrupts the cohesion of communities, Shukla added. In other countries which evangelical groups have specifically targeted alongside India, such as in Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya, the impact has been deadly, especially for LGBT communities.

‘As Americans, we must never compromise as advocates for pluralism and democracy, values that the United States and India share, but also where both nations have fallen short at times,’ said Padma Kuppa, a member of HAF's Board of Directors. ‘We must remember also that religious conversion to Islam and Christianity has long been a sensitive issue in India. This is especially true in recent times, because American faith organizations alone have declared a focus on the so called ‘10-40’ window that geographically demarcates 2.5 billion ‘unreached’ people, including Hindus, to be evangelized and converted.’

Many Hindus in the United States are concerned over a consistent pattern at the New York Times of disparaging Hindus--whether in deprecating Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Mumbai or blaming Hindu practice for outdoor defecation. The editorial last week was seen as consistent with that pattern. Even President Obama’s ostensible concerns for India at the prayer breakfast fell flat among Hindu Americans.  

‘President Obama could have asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the prayer breakfast to give perspective on India’s unique history of pluralism, acceptance, and tolerance,’ added Shukla. ‘And in invoking Mahatma Gandhi, our President and the New York Times should remember his famous denunciations of predatory proselytization:

‘It is impossible for me to reconcile myself to the idea of conversion after the style that goes on in India and elsewhere today. It is an error which is perhaps the greatest impediment to the world's progress toward peace. Why should a Christian want to convert a Hindu to Christianity? Why should he not be satisfied if the Hindu is a good or godly man?’

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Christian 2015-02-09 13:12:45
Hindu godmen and women can come here and convert people using methods like hugging. They collect huge money, which is used to atatck minorities in India
It is ok for HAF. But giving charity to poor, neglected people in India is predatory poselytysation? The problem with these upper castes is their thinking that poor, uneducated tribals or dalits are fools and they cannot take a decision for themselves. It is not acceptable. There is no such thing as predatory proselytysation. People can change religion if benefits them. Living in America, HAF should not support ideas that limit freedoms. Also, they should not support a religious state in India. They quote Gandhi, when it is useful
Anthappan 2015-02-09 14:25:15

Religion wants continues fight and division among the people to establish their control over population and maintain it.   So they come up with ideas and coin words like predatory proselytization to practice.   ‘Christian’ is a henchman for these types of people.  These types of radicals can be found in all religion including Hinduism and Islam.   So long these antisocial elements are there is no hope for peace on earth.   Christian is not even talking a word Jesus taught during his ministry.  Their way of handling all the issue is confrontation, war, and sword against sword etc.   They don’t know what they are doing.  Christian the best way to get out of this mess is rip off your mask ‘Christian’ and run away from all these religion.  We live the light on for you!

Don’t label me as RSS as for saying this.  I was a fake Christian like you once. 

Thomas Paul 2017-07-30 11:44:30
The day we the human beings invented the institution called RELIGION there will be no peace on earth.
മലയാളത്തില്‍ ടൈപ്പ് ചെയ്യാന്‍ ഇവിടെ ക്ലിക്ക് ചെയ്യുക