If I were the king of this world, I would make it a universal rule for every child at the age of 12 to have the freedom to choose what religion he/she would take, and convert himself/herself into that, so he/she is not obligated to take his/her parents religion. He/she may decide not to adopt any religion at all.
Very well said Rajen. And I will go along as your litikai, or servant or enforcer :-).
The only thing I would add here is that prior to giving the child an opportunity to change her religion, I would make sure they would be taught a balanced and clear course on the meaning of religion, about various religions of the world and their contributions, both constructive and destructive, on human civilization.
c
At 12:06 AM -0600 2/27/05, Barua25 wrote:
> This has reference to the editorial entitled, "Wanted:Anti-conversion Law" (The Sentinel, February 17). You have suggested that the States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura should pass anti-conversion laws with stringent penal provisions.
If The Sentinel published such rubbish, (and it seem it did), it simply shows how ignorant the Editors of Sentinel are of the reality of things.I support every word of the letter.
There was a time when Buddhist monks flocked to China and practically converted the whole of China into Buddhism. There was a time when Hinduism went ot all the South East Asian countries and established Hindu hedgemony. Till the otherday, Assamese Vaishnavism converted tribals Hinduism.
And suddenly Hindus are voicing prohibiton against conversaion? Why what is the problem? Hindus did not go to Nagaland or Mizoland or the Khasis only beause upper caste Hindus consider them as 'mlessas'. Obviously Christianity went there.
Better Sentinel should say that we Hinduism are exhausted, we don't have any new ideas, we don't want to compete, and want to call it a quit. I would accept that. But conversion is a bsic human freedom (in spite of Gandhi). If I were the king of this world, I would make it a universal rule for every child at the age of 12 to have the freedom to choose what religion he/she would take, and convert himself/herself into that, so he/she is not obligated to take his/her parents religion. He/she may decide not to adopt any religion at all. Rajen Barua
----- Original Message ----- From: "Chan Mahanta" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 8:58 AM Subject: [Assam] A Letter from the Sentinel
> beliefs not out of conviction but out of habit as in the cases ofNo Legislation against Conversion
This has reference to the editorial entitled, "Wanted: Anti-conversion Law" (The Sentinel, February 17). You have suggested that the States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura should pass anti-conversion laws with stringent penal provisions. Your esteemed daily has been giving expression to diverse views of people who think their viewpoint is right and want to convert others to their viewpoint. May I hope that you will agree with me that it is the same with spiritual and religious ideas that one shares with others?
I can understand your difficulty in agreeing with me on what is ethical and unethical in the matter of conversions. When people can change their convictions on social, economic or political matters, should they not have the same freedom on religious matters too? I do not think it is possible for the government or for anyone else to pry into the inner thoughts or motives of a person who changes his views on any matter - be it social, economic, political or religious. It will do us good to recall that the fundamental freedom of expression that all Indians enjoy today originated in the religious sphere. It was much later that this freedom was extended to secular life. Besides, conversion is not purely a process of rational argument. A lot of people hold in to their religiousnominal Hindus, Muslims and Christians. There should, therefore, be no legislation whatsoever against religious conversions.
As a Christian from an Assamese Muslim freedom fighter's family (incidentally, I am the son of Maulana M Tayyebulla), I condemn unethical conversions, but defend the right to religious freedom. I strongly oppose any anti-conversion Bill or law for the simple reason that it would indubitably be used to curb religious freedom and target Christians as has happened in the recent past.
Omar Luther King, Pitampura, Delhi-110 034. _______________________________________________ Assam mailing list [email protected] http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam
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