Christian groups have agreed to avoid aggressive evangelization methods in Karnataka, a southern Indian state where anti-Christian violence continues to occur.

About 250 leaders from 11 Churches and denominations endorsed the agreement at a Dec. 1 meeting organized by the Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights in Bangalore, the state capital.

Participants resolved not to condemn or denigrate deities of other religions, or the traditions that other religious believers hold as sacred. “The beauty of our faith is tarnished and not enhanced when we denigrate others,” says their memorandum of understanding.

“We have decided to work positively to build a harmonious relationship with people of all religions and cultures.”

Jesuit Father Ronnie Prabhu, convener of the forum, told UCA News the document participants drew up would help them “follow a common minimum ethic and collaborate in a common plan of action.”

Some Christian groups tend to evangelize aggressively, causing unhappiness among members of other religions and fueling Hindu extremist groups’ charges that Christians engage in forced conversions, he explained.

The forum includes Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, Seventh-day Adventists and Pentecostal groups. According to Father Prabhu, it aims to project “a united vision and mission” for Christians in Karnataka amid increasing attacks on the community.

The priest, secretary of the regional Catholic bishops’ commission for interreligious dialogue and ecumenism, pointed out that the Catholic Church initiated the forum a year ago.

Participants at the meeting also noted that the various Churches and denominations share the same faith, and they agreed to respect each other’s identity and right to share their faith with others. However, they also stressed the need to display a common front and vision in sharing the faith, especially during crises.

The forum also protested a recent move by the Karnataka government to introduce a bill regulating religious conversions. The pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party has ruled the state since May 2008.

Forum president Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore, who chaired the meeting, accused the government of proposing the bill so it could continue to harass religious minorities. The Christian forum would “strongly oppose” such legislation, he said.

Archbishop Moras dismissed allegations of Christians forcing people to convert as politically motivated. “If there are cases of forced conversion, they should be established clearly in a court of law,” he asserted.

Karnataka recorded unprecedented attacks on Christians in September 2008. Until now, sporadic attacks on Christian groups are regularly reported from various parts of the state.

Through the attacks, Archbishop Moras sees God sending a signal for Christians to unite. He said the forum will seek a common approach on faith, ethics and dialogue.

Source:  Christians reject aggressive proselytizing (UCAN)

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