Mario, you have completely missed the point in my posting. There is a world of difference between ' branded a naxalite' and 'being a naxalite'. Today anyone speaking / working for the tribals, the oppressed and the marginalised are branded as 'naxalites'. Our own goenkar Seby Rodrigues was branded one by Manohar Parrikar. Persons like Arun Ferreira, Himanshu Kumar, Dr Binayak Sen and many others who have devoted their lives by helping the oppressed, the tribals and the disadvantaged are branded naxalites, hounded, imprisoned without trial and tortured. Secondly, if you refer to the Sermon on the Mount and the 8 Beatitudes, Jesus Christ has the same social message. 'whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me'. Nowhere has violence been propagated, encouraged, justified or condoned. In fact, Jesus Christ was the ultimate peacenik. He said to offer the other cheek if one was stricken on one cheek. Further you have clearly misunderstood what liberation theology is all about. I suggest you read the following report: http://www.landreform.org/boff2.htm
Liberation theologians agree with Marx's famous statement: "Hitherto philosophers have explained the world; our task is to change it." They argue that theologians are not meant to be theoreticians but practitioners engaged in the struggle to bring about society's transformation. In order to do this liberation theology employs a Marxist-style class analysis, which divides the culture between oppressors and oppressed. This conflictual sociological analysis is meant to identify the injustices and exploitation within the historical situation. Marxism and liberation theology condemn religion for supporting the status quo and legitimating the power of the oppressor. But unlike Marxism, liberation theology turns to the Christian faith as a means for bringing about liberation. Marx failed to see the emotive, symbolic, and sociological force the church could be in the struggle for justice. Liberation theologians claim that they are not departing from the ancient Christian tradition when they use Marxist thought as a tool for social analysis. They do not claim to use Marxism as a philosophical world view or a comprehensive plan for political action. Human liberation may begin with the economic infrastructure, but it does not end there. The biblical notion of salvation is equated with the process of liberation from oppression and injustice. Sin is defined in terms of man's inhumanity to man. Liberation theology for all practical purposes equates loving your neighbor with loving God. The two are not only inseparable but virtually indistinguishable. God is found in our neighbor and salvation is identified with the history of "man becoming." The history of salvation becomes the salvation of history embracing the entire process of humanization. Biblical history is important insofar as it models and illustrates this quest for justice and human dignity. Israel's liberation from Egypt in the Exodus and Jesus' life and death stand out as the prototypes for the contemporary human struggle for liberation. These biblical events signify the spiritual significance of secular struggle for liberation. http://www.socinian.org/liberty.html .<http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:SmwtGOl8aU8J:www.mb-soft.com/believe/txn/liberati.htm+liberation+theology+history&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in> http://liberationtheology.org/ Liberation theology has played a significant role in central and south America. Papa and Baby Doc Duvalier could be overthrown only because of the active role played by Jean Bertrand Aristide a former Salesian priest who aroused the conscience of the people and galvanized them into concerted action. Papa and baby Doc Duvalier can be counted among the most cruel persons who have walked upon this earth. Getting rid of them was no easy task. Similarly, in El Salvador, Archbishop Oscar Romero was instrumental in changing Salvadorean society. The ruling oligarchy and military juntas were overthrown and replaced by people movements. More importantly, the means used were non-violence, although Archbishop Romero himself was killed while celebrating Mass. Many priests sacrificed their lives and were killed for opposing the tyranic rule of the ruling juntas. In Nicaragua too, the Jesuits were in the forefront of opposing tyranic rule and helped the Sandinistas to come to power. Social justice cannot be achieved merely by preaching from the pulpit. It has to be put into action by walking the talk. And that is what liberation theology did. That the movement petered out subsequently was due to the conservative outlook of late Pope John Paul II. Closer home, the despotic rule of Ferdinand Marcos in Philippines could come to an end without bloodshed, was solely due to the role played by Cardinal Jaime Sin. All I can say is you and many other NRI’s are out of touch with reality regarding issues back home. Social unrest is the biggest challenge facing the Indian state today. More that Communalism. There is degradation of the environment due to mining and indiscriminate construction. People are being displaced from their homes due to acquisition of land for SEZ’s, MNC’s and big industrialists. People are being displaced because of developmental projects like dams, construction of expressways, etc. There are no rehabilitation schemes in place. Fortunately, our PM, Dr Manmohan Singh is a sensible person and understands the situation. Refer to the foll. Link. http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA5LzEwLzMwI0FyMDEyMDA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom Regards, Marshall
