NEW DELHI: A Christian organisation's newsletter
has, by falling into the ``wrong'' hands, added
fuel to the conversion controversy for its use of
certain words to describe its religious activity
in the country.
Printed by Reverend C George and Dr Alex P
Abraham, the newsletter, ``Operation Agape'', has
liberally used words like ``conquer'', ``enemy
territories'' and ``crusade'' while referring to
conversions.
About Jammu & Kashmir, the bulletin notes: ``The
Lord helped us to conquer many new territories.''
In Punjab, it refers to the authorities not
allowing a ``big crusade'' planned by a local
pastor. For Himachal, it says: ``This year the
Lord helped us to conquer about seven new
unchurched tehsils.''
This quarterly newsletter, said Kottayam-based
Rev. George, is not for general circulation but
only for a select few comprising the ``prayer
groups''.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad got hold of it
recently. VHP central secretary Mohan Joshi said
there can be no better proof of ``their
intentions'' and ``methods.'' He added, ``The
conversion activity needs to be probed by
commissions set up in each state.''
The VHP argues that the word ``conquer'' clearly
indicates the use of force and ``that they are
out to conquer this country through
conversions.'' The term ``enemy territories''
pertained to areas outside their influence.
In Madhya Pradesh, the bulletin says, a pastor is
``facing strong opposition from the enemies of
the gospel.'' That's battle language, the VHP
says. Wrong, contends Rev. George, one of the two
printers.
Rev. George said the words and terms referred to
have been misunderstood. ``They have been used
purely in the spiritual context, and they are
quite well understood by the people the bulletin
is meant for.''
Elaborating, he said, ``In our view, the world is
divided into two kingdoms --one of God and the
other of Satan.'' And, for the people in God's
kingdom, the other kingdom, of Satan, is enemy
territory.
Asked if that other kingdom could mean other
religions, he said, ``No. In fact, even a nominal
Christian (not a true believer) can be an enemy
for those who belong to God's kingdom and believe
in Jesus Christ.''
And ``conquest'', rev. George said, stands for
merely taking the teaching and preachings of
Christ to areas which had not known them yet. The
bulletin has used the term ``Church planting''
for this activity.