Did Christians Desecrate a Hindu Temple?
Monday July 12, 2004
There has been a lot of conflict in recent years between Hindus and Christians in India - especially when it comes to Hindu fundamentalists upset over Christians converting people. This doesn’t mean that Christians have been completely innocent, however, and it may be that they have been provoking violence themselves.
News Today reports (via Pagan Prattle) that Christians may have destroyed items in a temple in the suburb of Pallavaram:
Many residents of the area were openly pointing fingers at a Christian group that was 'notoriously active' in the area. The names of a local Panchayat leader and a Pastor were openly bandied about by the residents. The Periamalai area was already sitting on a communal powder keg due to the confrontational and provocative attitude of a Pentecost group that specifically targeted the local Balamurugan temple. The group, which used to be very active on full-moon nights (yesterday was one), has a history of creating trouble for those coming to worship at the temple. ... The religious group also used to gather up at Periamalai (a small hillock) regularly and shout out taunting remarks at Hindus and openly deride Hindu Gods.
Destroying “pagan” temples is well within the sorts of things that especially zealous Christians might do — indeed, Christianity has a long history of just that sort of activity. At the same time, it’s possible that the Hindus are blaming the Christians unfairly — either way, though, it’s a sign of just how far the relationship between the two groups there has broken down.
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Comments
While Mr. Austin Cline is zealos to denigrate Hindus by calling them fundamentalists just because they oppose conversion to xtianity he does not dare to use term Xtian fundamentalists for Pentcost xtians reported in the news item.
Interestingly enough clicking on Hindu fundamentalist hyperlink explains Xtain fundamentalism first!
In a report in which Xtians are perpetrators Mt. Austin seems to discount and doubt the role of xtians refraining to call them fundamentalists.
I do not know Austin’s religious affiliations, if he is atheist/agnostic is he programmed from childhood show soft corner for xtians or is he yet another xtian masquerading as atheist/agnostic ?
In general western media is biased against dovish hindus. Their attempt to stand up against proselytization by hook or crook and violent moslem ways are some how reported in media as fundamentalist!
When will this stop ? Shame on About.com
1. Is there any reason to think that the Christians in question are fundamentalists, as opposed to evangelical or some other group?
2. Yes, I allow for the possibility that the Christians here may not be criminals. Is that unfair somehow?
3. I have no religious affiliation.