Hi Elizabeth
In my case, I got caught up quite late in the temples/churches debate after
it had been going on for some time. I suppose this is inevitable in any
cyber discussion. I note what you say about "Christians have to show some
responsibility in the assertions that they make" and do not believe I can
disagree with you .
However, my real worry is about the assertive stance of the Catholic Church
to evangelise in India/Asia etc. I do not want this precisely for the
reasons you have identified. This generates real fear in me because the
approach is pretty provocative I think.
On the other hand, it may not be a bad thing to be more open and honest
about the temples/church issue. It could have the effect of diminishing
potential antagonism. Notwithstanding what I have just said, I would be the
last person to want to encourage sectarian strife but do believe that
evangelisation definitely would.
I also think I have no more to say on the temple/church issue assuming the
last two of my posts already sent to Gilbert appear!
Cornel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Elisabeth Carvalho" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994!" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 5:22 AM
Subject: [Goanet] The Dangers of certain topics (relating to Churches)
Dear fellow posters,
I don't mean to be Chicken Little here, but in a moment I will seem to be.
I haven't followed the
discussion about Catholic Churches being built atop
Hindu temples in its entirety, just in bits and
pieces. While I certainly don't want to advise anyone
on what to discuss, I think in the political climate
that we live in today. Christians have to show some
responsibility in the assertions that they make.
Perhaps Hindu temples were destroyed. Perhaps churches were built atop
temples. All of that happened in the social and political context of that
era. We as Christians today, cannot bear responsibility for it. Communal
tolerance in Goa today is tenuous to say the least. The air is thick with
tension, especially in certain parts of Goa. Two years back even a benign
feast like the Bonderan feast was politicised and religious tension
stoked.
It didn't take long for the Babri Mosque to fall. It won't take long
before the legitimacy of our churches is called into question. Yes, it is
nice to sit in our NRI lounge chairs and debate about issues, but in our
zeal to debate our point of view, let us also show some restraint and
responsibility.
Elisabeth
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