Is running a school an inducement, is preaching love an inducement?

What does Christianity say about forced conversions?We don’t believe in forced conversion. That is a contradiction in terms because, if...

What does Christianity say about forced conversions?
We don’t believe in forced conversion. That is a contradiction in terms because, if it is forced, then it’s not a conversion. A convert has to be a person opting for Christianity with the freedom basic to our religion.

Do you feel that such issues should not be raised?
Political parties should realise that issues like these, involving minorities, provide an opportunity for some people to harass them.

How common is the use of fraud in conversion?
When people say inducement or fraudulent means are used to lure people to convert, exactly what do they mean? Is running a school an inducement, is preaching love and tolerance an inducement?

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How do you deal with those indulging in forcible conversions?
Small sects of Christianity are more aggressive when it comes to conversion. They propagate the religion more forcefully and, in the process, perhaps, sometimes don’t show the kind of dignity that they should.

Is there a way of judging those who forcibly convert people?
The question to be asked is, who is to judge what is the inner motive of these people? What if a priest is thinking that by letting a poor man convert, he has perhaps secured his future and also helped in making a good man out of him? We, however, never support forcible conversions.

What has been your experience states with an anti-conversion law?
How has the law helped? To raise the issue again only fits a political agenda.

Don’t you feel that there should be stringent laws for preventing fraudulent and forcible conversions?
The greater the number of laws, greater the number of loopholes. There are already laws for these offences. Cases like these are only aberrations and are neither policy nor practice of the Church. And they should be dealt with under the Indian Penal Code, there is no need for another law.

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What is your problem with the anti-conversion law?
It is demeaning that someone who is converting should have to inform the government. People should be allowed to follow their conscience.

Do you feel Dalit conversions are the focus of the demand for an anti-conversion law?
The real issue is not religion, it is the implications of religion. Christianity brings about social development in the lower castes, it helps liberate them. And this is never liked by those who support the caste system, especially politicians who have been exploiting these sections for their electoral gains.