George Pinto wrote:
...A number of critics have suggested that missionary activity targets vulnerable people (poor, uneducated) who convert under duress (not of their free
will) since they are poor and uneducated. Since most of the growth in Christianity (Catholic, Mormon, Protestant) comes in the Latin American, African, Asian markets, it has been suggested that the local religious leaders in those areas are contributing to this exploitation of poor and uneducated people. Others have gone further calling it modern day slavery and subjugating people to foreign powers, a kind of neo-colonialism.
George - I like the way you toss out ideas while making sure you cannot be called to be answer for them...."A number of critics have suggested...." "Others have gone further......." "It has been suggested....." Nice trick! ;-)))
Personally I'm insulted by the notion that people without formal education and without money are by definition stupid and gullible, and I'm surprised that a man of your liberal sensibilities would imply such a thing. So people convert from one religion to another because they're poor and uneducated and, of course, have no free will??? What an elitist thing to say - and you sitting in your "white tower" in a fine University! I understand that Islam is the fastest growing religion in America, are the new converts also poor and uneducated and gullible, lacking in free will? Or does your sterling description of converts apply only to Christian converts?
Viviana
