Religious conversions – good or bad

[Srinu]

The Jayalalitha govt. in Tamil Nadu has banned all “forced” religious conversions. The BJP says its gonna follow suit in all BJP ruled states. Aren’t they infringing on the rights of the common man. Doesn’t the constitution say that an individual has the right to choose???

[Shahed]

But the big question is, do our leaders (cheaters) even know that there is something called a Constitution.

[Neeraj]

Srinu, you may have the fundamental right as per the Constitution of India for religion changes etc. But true to the fact, you can only be born in that religion and conversion is just a mere change in the name. In reality it is difficult to practice the new religion\'s culture etc.

I mean it is not valid. For instance, you can only be born as a Hindu, and no one can convert himself into the Hindu religion. Moreover, the Hindu religion never believes in propagating conversion like other religions do. To conclude, a man changing to one religion from another for his own benefit is certainly void...

[hardc0der]

If a person finds that his life is better socially if he follows another religion, why do the illiterate leaders have to prevent him from converting? Christianity, Islam and Buddhism treat all men as equal. In such cases, you are bound to see many \'Dalits\' convert to one of these religions because they no longer have to live with that \'untouchable\' tag the rest of their lives. Then why the heck does the government have to interfere with their personal decision? The mentally deranged chief minister of Tamil Nadu has set a wrong trend that may be followed by the other lunatics ruling the country.

[Vocal but Secular]

You have brought up a potentially explosive topic. You have a right to follow any religion but the ban is on those minority religious missionaries who offer ppl monetary or other help on condition that people convert to their religion. If this is not forced conversion, what is? I\'ve seen stuff like this happening. In places like Chennai, you have ppl from a minority community distributing \'pamphlets\' at bus-stops propogating their religion. Its essential to keep a check on such elements who are bent on converting people instead of spreading the essence that all religions are paths to the same God.

[Srinu]

u guys covered it all.. as hardcoder said... why live as a \"untouchable\" hindu... when u can live life in a more dignified way... but does their status really change?? if a \"untouchable\" changes his name.. will his status in the society change?? and as \"Vocal but Secular\" said.... if offering monetary benifits is not forcing and/or influencing a person .. what is.. but then again.. if someone offers me money to change my name (i know a conversion is more than just a change in name but...) why should someone else object. and finally to drive home my point.. missions.. even those lead by great and famous people such as mother teresa.. followed the path of \"preaching\" christianity. so where do we draw the line between right and wrong.. maybe we cant.. but the discussion goes on....

[popesmokesdope]

I was born a nihilist .... and I will die a nihilist

[Kulcha Hyderabadi]

Offering money to convert to another religion - so, why bother about those who are ready to convert for as little as Rs. 2000/-... The TN Government Ordinance is saying in other words that a particular religion needs the protection of the government for survival! And for those who convert for the sake of money, I\'d say that they have no religion at all.

[not_a_herd_mentality]

Untouchability is just one of the those thousands of social evils in this world. Thats about it. Those who claim to treat every one with equality should just refresh their memory of apartheid and mass murders of holocaust. Its a fact there is exponential increase in conversions in India.Its is because the factors like the over tolerance of majority community , very clandestine and meticulous planned activity of the missionaries in India. They are using the social evils in India to their own advantage, Thoroughly exploiting the weakness of poor people. Schools and hospitals are just for a big cover-up and to gain moral basis for their activity.

I think the Jaya\'s move is one of the bravest step ever taken by any Indian politician till date. Though i am not great fan of Jaya.... She certainly needs best of appreciation for this act from every one. Kudos to JJ.

[laskar_sikandrabadi]

*over tolerance of majority community: That speaks of discriminatory attitude of the ‘majority community’. When this biased/bigoted/prejudiced ‘majority community’ establishes others as inequitable, why bother what the members of minority community do? Leave alone conversions, reign of apartheid and mass murders of holocaust would recur as long as mankind forgets that it is first humane and then everything else. There are no hierarchies in human community! Period.

[Srinu]

is there a \"majority community\"? i know hindus form a majority of the population in india. but are they a community?? for me a community is more then just mere numbers. are all hindus united? look at bihar, the ranbir sena and the like. most of the states suffer from some form of caste based division and its effects. and its not a prob just with india.. look at ireland(catholics/protestants). or look at pakistan(shia/sunni). be it caste based division or faith based division, i think the solution is respecting others and their ideas/ideals. maybe not agree with others beliefs.. but respect it all the same. not an easy task....but lets all make an attempt.

[popesmokesdope]

the caste system is largely prevalent in india and we call ourself the biggest democracy *hyukk hyukkk*

[Guest]

The Jayalalitha govt. in Tamil Nadu has banned all “forced” religious conversions. The BJP says its gonna follow suit in all BJP ruled states. Aren’t they infringing on the rights of the common man. Doesn’t the constitution say that an individual has the right to choose???
Srinu