REJOICE O KANDHAMAL

KANDHAMAL, ORISSA -BLESSED ASSURANCE OF GOD'S FAVOUR.

The Tribals

The Kandhamal District of Orissa ,the district is ranked as a backward district in the state of Orissa (India). Almost 66% of the land area of the district is covered with dense forest ,towering mountains and rich in green meadows at the altitude of 2000 ft to 3000 ft,inhabited with colorful tribals in their natural heritage.

On Saturday, August 23rd, Swami Laxanananda Saraswati along with five other people was shot dead in his Jalaspeta Ashram near Tumudibandha (Kandhamal District, Orissa). Naxalite groups, especially prominent in this region, have taken credit for the attacks.With this incident, VHP has unleashed violence, abuse and attacks on several churches, Christain institutions, priests, Nuns, Christians and their houses being attacked, abused, ransacked, and torched.

Kandhamal once home for the Scheduled Tribes has today become a devastated piece of land where unarmed innocent tribals were attacked ,tortured and made homeless.The entire effort is orchestrated to curb conversions to Christianity by Hindu extremists.But,the government asserts that Christians have not caused any violence or riots in retaliation.

What hinders these Christians(mainly tribals and dalits)from attacking those who persecute them??Why do Christians missionaries have to care for the well being of some poor tribals in remote Orissa??

Maybe the answer comes down to the LOVE and PEACE OF JESUS that fills their lives!!

On Conversions

What is conversion after all??Why does the word CONVERSION trouble so many to such an extent?

A detailed look into different aspects of the issue.

Spiritually: If Christian missionaries can dispel myths and superstitions,treat wounds,comfort emotions then why not guide their spiritual needs too?.

Secondly,if I look upto a person (according to me)who enjoys peace and spiritual satisfaction and try to experience their spiritual zeal myself..isnt my desire of spiritual contentment altered/converted??How can anybody stop this?And if its easier and satisfying why does it trouble anyone else .

Socially: If it is about social acceptance and govt benefits ..Will a tribal be able to enjoy absolute oppurtunity and equality with the mainstream Hindus if he merely retains his religious practices?If the answer is NO ,then why this agitation??Let them advance with the help of Christian missionaries and enjoy acceptability and socioeconomic development as others do.If SC want equal reservations post conversion-let them talk to the Govt about it.Or not make their conversion official at all.

Fraternity: If the hurt is that Hindu brethren are lost to the worship of the GOD of Christians..Then when these tribals hurt their Hindu brethren should have actively provided comfort,aid,education and spiritual support to your brethren.Not slaughter them heartlessly.

If the Govt .has been inactive the Hindu activists should have raised ample funds from the affluent Hindus to setup schools,hospitals and ashrams for the development of the tribals and villagers.Not make them homeless and push them to further misery.

It may sound ironic but the number of Christian conversions in Orissa have doubled post the killing of the Australian missionary and his two sons in 1999.Graham Staines was a witness in his death and Mrs Staines an example of forgiveness and love which led more people to embrace the God of these missionaries.So did these persecutions help in Evangelism ..Well..IT DID!!

WE the Citizens of India

While we sit far away from the scene of destruction we have to realise all Christians and muslims of India are essentially Hindu converts..so what makes 'conversion' such a dreaded word today?.

Either way, if VHP can force reconversions of Tribals back to Hinduism by resorting to violence..cant this happen to the mainstream Christians and Muslims too?.

What is the protection to life and freedom of religion for the Citizens of India?If India aspires to be on the same footing as Saudi Arabi,Pakistan,Afghanistan with regards to religious tolerance..why call it a democracy?And why criticise the ideas of jehad and Islamic militancy..Everybody who resorts to spreading fear,panic and insecurity in the minds of people and kills/maims the body,mind or spirit of a human being are essentially TERRORISTS.

Often religion and society teach terrorists that to assert their views they have to rely on violence and hatred..But it takes lots of guts to pray for those who persecute you..

To forgive those who butcher and rape you?To give love and food to an enemy who killed your husband or father...

Christian Persecutions

Persecutions are not uncommon to Christians..For Jesus Christ himself was tortured and killed because HE challenged the religious traditions and political system of those days.Later his apostles too were persecuted.And recently Graham Staines and other missionary died for the same reasons..Obviously ,how can the world that hated the Master love HIs disciples???? Luke 21:9-19.But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. Mathew 5:3-12 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, [1] for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Inside Kandhamal, Orissa’s communal cauldron by Soumajit Patnaik, Hindustan Times http://www.hindustantimes.com Fr. Pius Fernandes Writes from Orissa : Christians in Deep Trouble http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=50291&n_tit=Fr.%20Pius%20Fernandes%20Writes%20from%20Orissa%20%3A%20Christians%20in%20Deep%20Trouble Orissa: killing Christians to stop Tribals and Dalits from developing and achieving dignityby P. Augustine Kanjamala, http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=13079&size=A

IN LIFE'S STORM

Life is like a sea journey. Some of us travel on boats ,others on ships and yet others on cruiseliners.. But one thing is for sure..Storms,tides,depths and difficulties will definitely rock the vessel you sail in. at some point or the other.

Till we sail on calm waters we do not feel the need for help or security..But,when we are storm tossed and battered we look around for signs of land or at least a ray of hope to keep sailing..

In the midst of the storms we realise that the strength of the ship or luxury of the cruiseliner cant guarantee us a safe journey to the desired shore. The futility of the strongest and magnificent ships made by man ,like the Titanic ,that failed to reach the promised shore,brings fear and hopelessness into our minds. But for those who love and trust Jesus Christ as their Saviour have hope and security in HIS love.

The faith life of every Christian is like a sea journey to another shore ,where they we shall live with Jesus till eternity.The toil and the discipline required for the journey makes it essential that we have proper focus of our eternal destination.. To reach that shore we have to hold fast onto our faith .And for faith to grow in us we must love, study and upon meditate the Word of God.

Living in faith means that we begin to live in intimacy with Christ.

We must understand that even while we lean on Christ Jesus,storms and tides will definitely come.But,for those who trust in God they need not fear.God assures them help and protection. In the Bible we see that during HIS lifetime Jesus demonstrated HIS sovereignty and the Glory of God when the waves and winds obey His command.So,when the creator and LORD of LORDS is with us ,no harm shall come near us. IN JESUS ,we too are given the power to calm storms and waves that trouble us.. So fear no more..Take authority and speak the Word of God over your fears and situations and see Jesus work in your life.

This is an old hymn that I hum to myself when I feel discouraged . Jesus promises to sail with me through every storm.HE protects me,renews my faith and gives me HIS authority over winds ,waves ,demons and sickness.

PEACE BE STILL

Master, the tempest is raging!The billows are tossing high!The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness,No shelter or help is nigh;Carest thou not that we perish?How canst thou lie asleep,When each moment so madly is threat'ning

A grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:

"Peace, be still!"

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea,Or demons, or men or whatever it be,No water can swallow the ship where lies.The Master of ocean and earth and skies:

They all shall sweetly obey thy will—"Peace, be still! Peace, be still!"They all shall sweetly obey thy will—"Peace, peace, be still!"

Master, with anguish in spiritI bow in my grief today;The depths of my sad heart are troubled,O waken and save, I pray;Torrents of sin and of anguish.

Sweep o'er my sinking soul!And I perish! I perish! dear Master;O hasten, and take control!

Master, the terror is over,The elements sweetly rest;

Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored,And heaven's within my breast.Linger, O blessed Redeemer,Leave me alone no more;And with joy I shall make the blest harbor,And rest on the blissful shore.

To hear the tune of this Hymn link to :http://www.opc.org/books/TH/old/Blue701.html