The article, “ >Being Christian in India ” (March 27), is one of the most candid ones on the subject. As one who was born and brought up in Kerala, I vividly remember the rustic society around me 50 years ago and the camaraderie and closeness between my very orthodox family members and those belonging to other communities. In those times, your best friend, closest neighbour, greatest teacher and favourite shopkeeper were invariably from other communities; something you never even thought about or ever noticed. All religious rituals were pure and free of ill-will or rancour.
K. Parameswaran,
Bengaluru
I appreciate the writer’s point of view and that conversion really needs to be understood for what it is. However, I am a bit pained by the fact that her first reference to the Muslim community is with the word ‘moderate’ Muslim as if the Muslim community is a society of extremists where moderates are an exception, and where they need to be described separately. Most Muslims do not agree with the view points of extremists who have gone beyond the point of making any sense to anyone.
Zayan Asif M.P.,
Paral, Mahe
The article was a very candid account of the conversion issue. While many broad-minded and forward-looking Christians have acknowledged the issue and the social, communal disharmony caused by this, it is a reality that they do not want to take on their superiors on this. It is also candid that the writer agrees that there are certain groups funded by foreign donations to further this cause. The distrust in our country is largely because of the zealous activities of a few missionaries and evangelists whose main business/ideology is conversion. Development must be the agenda.
Ramdas Naik,
Chennai
