Persecution and Unity of Indian Christians

The Christians especially in the Northern part of the India is going through very tough situation these days. Religions violence was seen in the very peaceful state of Kerala too in the past days. Whatever might be the reason of hatred of the Hindu brethren towards Christians, the way they have chosen to show it is truly against the law and order. The Indian government has of course fallen back in effectively running the law and order system and in securing the religious freedom of many. Considering loses of rights of the Indian Christians, nation wide and international protests are being organized by many Indian Churches and Christian organizations. This is a time to see and realize the Oneness in Christ shared by all the Christians, and the time to forget the differences that has been keeping the Churches from cooperating with each other for many centuries.

This article is some thoughts about the upcoming Peace Rally organized by the Indian Churches in Philadelphia on Oct 26th to protest against the horrible actions against Christians in India, and also in hope of a suitable response from the ‘sleeping’ Indian government against the atrocities happening. I have seen a very effective awakening in some of the Churches in Philadelphia, which were not very active in the Ecumenical Fellowship of Indian Churches in Philadelphia, in this matter, and their active participation in protesting against the issues. The participation of the Pentecostals with the Ecumenical Fellowship also needs to be mentioned.

After being the Youth Coordinator of the Ecumenical fellowship of Indian Churches in Philadelphia (EFIC), and after experiencing the difficulty in bringing the people together for a Youth Conference, I didn’t had much of a thought about the unity within the Christians in Philadelphia, and considered many as selfish ones who are functioning inside their own Church boundaries only. Contacts were made with all the parishes that were active in the EFIC, but were able to find representatives only a maximum of 5 Churches to actively participate in organizing the Youth Conference.

My impression about the Protestant/Pentecostal Churches was not that high either due to their attitude towards the Apostolic Churches. Many focuses in finding the differences and teaching them as wrong rather than preaching the true Gospel of Christ. My Pentecostal friends didn’t show much interest either even in attending the conference mentioned above after being personally invited. Also, after certain encounters with the Pentecostal fanatics, my idea of their corporation was not that high either. The issue was that while I try to respect their thoughts, mine were ridiculed! But this cannot be generalized or considered that big of an issue at times of need.

My constricted mentality had all these thoughts, opinions, and judgments about the Churches that have not seen actively participating in the organization(EFIC) I belong to, and therefore watched the sudden interest of many on this issue with suspicion. With ego, I thought that as they have not helped me, why I should participate in the Peace rally! After all, is this a Christian way of protesting against persecution? If we look in to Christ, wasn’t He silent when he was persecuted and crucified? The persecuted are silent, but we, who are living in the luxury here has the responsibility to assure our helping hands towards our suffering brethren.

I am sure that many others are thinking suspiciously as I did about the sudden appearance of many in claiming the need of unity. Many even blame it on the religions conversions going on in those states by the Christians. This can be agreed to some extent and but still not a good enough reason to support the violence, nor to agree to the silence of the Indian Government. Can I see the glass as half full and not as half empty? Can I be an optimist rather than a pessimist? It is possible, and I can read the spirit of Unity formed between the Christian pastors and priests and Churches as a calling from Christ. And as long as the propaganda of conversion and the issue of who is right and who is wrong according to Christ is not brought to the multitude, I am very happy to accept the Oneness in Christ as I always believed and to support the peace rally that is being organized. As long as the Catholics, the Orthodox, the Protestants, all can stay together in the name of Christ, and respect each other as brothers and sisters, I am willing to be a part of this new move. This can be a way for further understanding and acceptance.

Can more of us be more open minded, forget whatever we consider each other as being wrong and unite in the name of Christ? This is not a unity to say that I am right and all has to come under the doctrines and beliefs I am following, but to say that the ‘right’ in all of us is Christ? Will it be possible for all of us to effectively organize and participate in the prayers and other activities held in different regions of the world disregarding the differences and accepting each other? Will more Churches and believers come forward with one Spirit in Lord Jesus Christ? This is meant to those who have constricted mentality as I did towards accepting and appreciating the goodness seen in our midst.