In Response to: Message: 6 Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:12:21 +0530 From: "Marshall Mendonza" <mmendonz...@gmail.com> Subject: [Goanet] Right to Convert
Dear Marshall, Dr. Barad, Santosh, Samir, Vinay ........, I tried to refrain myself from getting tangled in this thread that was turning rather myopic. First and foremost I am sure you all will agree with me, that each one of you is voicing his support, for his beliefs because of your birth in that particular sect of society. Religion did not come from haven it was introduced by man so that we could live in peace, harmony and in morality, but unfortunately religion has divided humanity and humanitarian values are forgotten in the bargain. Comparatively, by percentage Goa is just second in India as far as Christian population is concerned, next only to Kerala. I have said this before, and say it again, I am sure every one will agree with this, "conversions" by force and fraud are wrong and should not be supported in any way, "if" it is happening. Did we hear of any conversions by force or fraud in Kerala or Goa ? Both Kerala and Goa have a very high literacy rate and minimal castes beliefs compared to the rest of India. Education does play a very important role in society. Are any of the guys on this particular thread living in MP, AP or Orissa ? I am sure not, so it's hearsay and links that we are bickering over, the facts that transpired there, only the people involved and affected know the bitter truth. I will only say, let the truth speak for it's self. Getting back to the reasons, force and fraud condemned, lets take on allurement or enticement. Lets take a look at the our great politicians that sit in the Parliament and Vidhan Sabhas and pass laws and rules, before election lots of favours in cash and kind exchange hands for support, what is it called - allurement, after election horse trading goes on, what is that called - allurement, where we work, we keep on changing jobs for better prospects, what is that called - allurement or enticement. We go to other countries in search of jobs or a better life, what is it called - allurement. Who on earth does not want to be better off in life ? That's the universal right of a person. I am not saying conversions on allurement are being done or not, because I do not know, neither do you. So if allurement is used hypothetically, what is wrong, if that is wrong all the above should be wrong and stopped, did we not all see the cash bundles fiasco in Parliament, the whole world saw it. As for faith healings, it's each ones beliefs, one will not know it until one experiences it. I have seen it happen, you may not have, so keep the option open. I have seen a lot of non Christians get healed and embrace the religion out of their own free will, people who have not seen it will definitely say other wise. Lets leave it to each one to decide which faith one wants to change to after all it's each ones "right". Why doesn't the VHP, BD, RSS match or out do the Christian missionaries is public service ? If they do that , then certainly there wouldn't be any problems. Would there be ? To preach is very easy to put it in practice is very difficult. There is another problem that's making the rounds with links, foreign funds. Most of the charity institutions get foreign funds imperative of religion, the only problem is how the organization uses those funds, I can assure Dr. Barad that the IRA is not having a rebirth in India and thank God for that, otherwise we would have gulped down more than we could chew. So lets all be sensible and show that we are educated enough to put aside our religious biases and take a real hard look at what's happening in Goa and fight in unity for a better Goa for Goans. Lets all say SAYANORA to this THREAD !!!! Freddy Agnelo Fernandes -------------------------------------------------------- The content of this electronic communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and any others who are specifically authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or otherwise placing reliance on the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful in certain legal jurisdictions. If you have received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system. -------------------------------------------------------- ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email ______________________________________________________________________