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Orissa Freedom of Religion Act: The conversion debate

Bhubaneswar, August 27: Last weekend, communal violence rocked Orissa after a group of masked gunmen killed VHP leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati (84), who was known for his campaign against conversion of tribals to Christianity. As the Christian community was attacked in the state, the alleged conversion of triba ....Read more

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The real problemBy: Nich | Thursday , 28 May '09 12:55:26 PM Reply | Forward "We did not convert because we are poor. If I am poor but accepted by my community, there is no [social] terror in that poverty.... We did not convert for money. We converted because of the society that saw us as lesser, not worthy. We were 'lower caste', 'untouchable', 'lowly'. Now we are Christian. Our god wants us. We can walk into his temple. We are worthy. You understand?"Spoken by a Dalit convert in Orissa to Angana P Chatterji. Quoted in Ms Chatterji's book: Violent Gods, p273

right of conversionBy: amaresh rout | Thursday , 11 Sep '08 17:18:36 PM Reply | Forward it is not possible to check the forced conversion by enacting the law only. in the last 3 decades not a single case has been registered. it does not shows that forced or inducement conversion is not taking place. why only the poor are converting, why the missionaries are paying them. it is the global fund which is the cause of conversion

Right to propagate ReligionBy: Ivo da C.Souza | Wednesday , 10 Sep '08 23:46:48 PM Reply | Forward The Indian Constitution in the article 25(1) grants the right to proclaim the tenets of Religion by preaching as well as by doing good. Conversion is the deed of God himself and of response of the person to the call of God. Let the State not interfere in it. The reason behind the Freedom of Religion Act (1967) seems to be the fear of the Dalit empowerment. The Church works for the rich as well for the poor. No power on earth can ever curtail the right to do good...

Conversions by forceBy: Ivo da C.Souza | Wednesday , 10 Sep '08 23:38:07 PM Reply | Forward Freedom of Religion Act (1967) should not curtail the innate right of any human being to follow the religion of his/her choice. Doing good is the duty of every human being. When the Christian missionaries work for the upliftment of the poor tribals, they can always opt for the Christian religion, where they have found love and dignity. No State or Police Inspector can enter into his conscience. This is not fraud, not allurement. If we want social development of India and peace, let us be sensitive to the human rights. Any aggression against the minorities is a violation of human rights. It is enslavement of dalits. India is quite known for it from times immemorial. Let us be open to a new vision...

legal Action coversionBy: Prabir Kumar pattnaik | Thursday , 16 Oct '08 8:36:45 AM Reply | Forward It is not clear when the SP of Nowrangpur arrested 21 pasters for alleged conversion.It is generally alleged that money power is involved in conversion. Will the state government release a statement as to how many conversions have taken in orissa from 1967 to this date and how many permissions have been accorded by the concerned District collectors. Further, the state should also infor the public the quantum of landed property allotted to different religious sects since 1947. Do public institutions managed by different religious sects submit their income and expenditure to the state government for information.