Goan Catholics & non twice-born Hindus Antonio Menezes ( January 27, 2005)
<I thought it would be safer to use instead the words ''non twiceborn'' to describe this overwhelming majority of social class before their conversion to christianity.> Sachin Phadte (jan 27, 2005) <book with a longish article by TB Cunha on a topic somewhat linked to the subject.....It seems to me that at least on the subject of use of religion by the Portuguese to harass the Hindus and try to force their conversion is correct.> Gilbert Lawrence responds: (Jan 28, 2005) <In fact your account debunks a whole myth that Hindus were forcible converted by militant Portuguese and their confrontational Catholic counterparts. It would appear from your account, the Christian conversion was the old fashion way - voluntary and a decision for personal (material and / or spiritual) gain.> ===== Dear Gilbertbab, It is interesting to review your post visavis that from Sachin. It is absolutely feasable (IS IT NOT) that the lower "castes" converted to Christianity to get away from the generation to generation subjugation by the higher "castes" ? That after all is also the reason for them to convert from Hinduism to Buddhism, Sikhism and Islam. The horrible "Caste" based descrimination, and the flight of the oppressed is well known. That does not mean that conversions to Islam and Christianity were ALL voluntary. That, they were not. But then, one also has to ask WHAT happened to the Buddhists who were so powerful and numerous during the days of Ashoka. Selective viewing of history is convenient, but nada mais. Now, as far as TB Cunha's alleged article is concerned, I will hold my judgement on that. It is my opinion that non-practising Catholics have a different view of events from Catholics-were-never-wrong Catholics. (The same for Hindus,Jews and Muslims) I submit that one has to review available historical documents, place them in context of the times, and cross reference them with other parameters like ...demographics, land ownership etc. The following posting from 17 months ago - makes interesting reading have fun jc ===== Godfrey Gonsalves (Sept21, 2003) Politicians in Goa and perhaps in India as well, have sought to polarise the Goan society (especially during the uprising of the Goan masses for official language recognition to Konkani in the late eighties) and till this day by preaching to the non Brahmin Hindus (Bahujan Samaj) mostly in the Novas Conquistas (New Conquests) about the atrocities committed on our Hindu bretheren during the infamous INQUISITION . Even a FILM promoted by the present coalition dispensation in power led by the right-wing Hindu fundamentalist and fascist party have documented a film showing excerpts of the freedom struggle with atrocities committed on those in the Novas Conquistas. Entire Godfry Gonsalves post at http://www.colaco.net/1/InquiForeword.htm (look at the last third of the page)