Salesmen of God

Christian evangelicals are similar to parasites[1]. The similarities are simply astounding. Among all predatory religions, Evangelical Christianity has done, by far, the greatest harm to humankind[2]. Like leeches, the Evangelical sucks the lifeblood of an unchristian society till it descends either into chaos and incessant civil conflict or the relegation of the culture to the pages of history (Bowden, 1985). Even in the 21^st century this unashamed activity continues (Bhosle, 2003).[3]

Source: https://www.economist.com/node/21543526

Evangelicals usually have a similar methodology when it comes to proselytization. Like parasites, the target is usually one belonging to the most vulnerable section of society. This does not necessarily mean that they try harvesting only the most down trodden of the society (Kelly, 2001). And most certainly, the objective is never the upliftment of the persons involved. The target groups may, for example, belong to ethnic minorities, refugees (both economic and political), caste groups, the poor and the sick. Their benefit is not what concerns our parasites. They are targets of opportunity viz. an entry point into any society that is largely non-Christian. The after effect of successful mass proselytization is already sufficiently researched (Woolford, 2009). Any interested student of history, social studies and especially policy will do well to go through them (Luis N. Rivera, 1992).

In India, their modus operandi follows the international model. Here the souls of the sick and poor (sometimes both) are harvested. The vast majority of this demography belongs to the scheduled castes and tribes. Given their weak social position compared to other groups – these people are the most common victims of evangelisation.

In an ideal world, a change of personal faith should not bother anyone in this millennium. But for converts to Abrahamic predatory faiths that proclaim the sole monopoly on Truth – there are problems. I have linked some studies here[4] that tie the risks of uprooting people from their culture entirely (as opposed to repairing and reforming it) to unrest at best and full blown civil wars at worst.

Very recently I came across a similar case first hand. I am aware of similar activities where the targets are the economically and socially challenged. This was slightly different. There is this girl from Nepal who was a junior in IIT. Members of a Life group[5] influenced her and gave her what she needed the most. Compassion, company and community in a foreign land. Unsurprisingly, the motives here was also not altruistic. In fact, I marvel at the fact that the folks in Life did not even hide the fact that they wanted her to 'accept Jesus’s as her Saviour. She professed her faith in Jesus and hence retained her friends.

What is interesting here is that the Christian ecosystem is flexible. Restricting the Gospel only to the poor was never the point. Any vulnerability works. In this case it was a girl suffering from a broken heart, missing home and friends. This approach of capitalising on one's weakness may seem abhorrent to conscientious objectors. But those in the business of harvesting souls to earn their place in heaven are unlikely to be discouraged from it.

References

Bhosle, V. (2003, April 28). Rediff News. Retrieved from http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/apr/28varsha.htm

Bowden, H. W. (1985). American Indians and Christian Missions: Studies in Cultural Conflict. University of Chicago Press.

Kelly, L. (2001, March 13). The eleventh commandment: 'thou shall not convert'. Retrieved from The Hindu: http://www.thehindu.com/2001/03/13/stories/13130613.htm

Luis N. Rivera, L. R. (1992). A Violent Evangelism: The Political and Religious Conquest of the Americas. Westminster John Knox Press.

Woolford, A. (2009). Ontological Destruction: Genocide and Canadian Aboriginal Peoples. Genocide Studies and Prevention, 81-97.

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[1] This is not just an observation from an Indic point of view. Christianity Today notes this as well in this link - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/december-web-only/evangelical-christians-are-sick.html archived 13 April 2018.

[2] This is my observation and opinion but not necessarily a fact. Sourced from http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/06/14/if-islam-is-a-religion-of-violence-so-is-christianity/ archived 13 April 2018

[3] This is an excellent write up on the modus operandi that Evangelicals engage in. Though this was last published way back in 2003, the trend continues.

[4] https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/dec/28/the-darkening-age-the-christian-destruction-of-the-classical-world-by-catherine-nixey - Though this deals primarily with genocide of pagans and their culture, bear in mind the Christian Crusades and Inquisition. The latter had its terrible effect even in India (Goa).

[5] This is a movement in itself. You can simply search on Google to find your local Life groups. http://www.clfonline.org/ministries/life-groups/