Good News for the Poor and Freedom for the Captives
No condemnation (Rom 8:1) but Love and Abundant Life promised (John 3:16,10:10).
Few weeks ago, I read a person who was suggesting/advicing Dalit people to remain in the Hindu religion in spite of all the oppressions and discriminations. I felt that I should reply to his view because it is very important.
I don’t know the person was a Dalit or not but I’m sure that he did not like our people getting rid of the oppressive philosophy of religion. So I asked him, are you suggesting this as a Dalit or as any other member of Hindu faith. The person did not reply, so I had to guess and go on to present my views on the issue.
If you are Dalit…then don’t you believe in What Dr. Ambedkar said, practiced and made provisions in the constitution for the oppressed people?
Do you want to spend your energies on reforming a society which is based on the unequality? How long will you do that? The oppressed have a history of injustices and brutalities of more than 3000 years. And the Hindus still not ready to give up that evil philosophy.
If your shirt is torn apart or became rag, and you have the means to change/replace it then what’s wrong with you that you still want that old one to continue.
Don’t you change your pots, shoes, Tv’s, bus, hospital, doctor, books, cellphones, computers, jobs, living place?
Why not religion, if it helps us to get our dignity and gives us better philosophy to live? The change and freedom should be excercised in any thing.
Have you not read, “Believe in the Best”?
If something better is available in the world then why not opt for it?
Are you more wiser than Dr. Ambedkar, who himself, after getting tired from Hinduism, being the most educated man of his times chose to reject it. He said, It was not in my control to be born as a Hindu but to die yes, and he did not loose the opportunity.
Let’s read his thoughts on conversion:
Dr Babasaheb in his speech at a Massive Mahar Conference held on 30th and 31st May, 1936 in Mumbai said:
“I do accept that the untouchables need equality as well. And to secure equality is also one of our objectives. But nobody can say that this equality can be achieved only by remaining as Hindu and not otherwise. There are two ways of achieving equality. One, by remaining in the Hindu fold and another by leaving it by conversion. If equality is to be achieved by remaining in the Hindu fold, mere removal of the sense of being a touchable or an untouchable will not serve the purpose. Equality can be achieved only when inter-caste dinners and marriages take place. This means that the Chaturvarnya must be abolished and the Brahminic religion must be uprooted. Is it possible? And if not, will it be wise to expect equality of treatment by remaining in the Hindu religion? And can you be successful in your efforts to bring equality? Of course not. The path of conversion is far simpler than this. The Hindu society does not give equality of treatment, but the same is easily achieved by conversion. If this is true, then why should you not adopt this simple path of conversion?” *
Don’t think just for yourself but think for the little ones (your future genereations). Do you want them also to be humiliated like Dr. Ambedkar and others and even you if you are a dalit.
Think and decide ……..you only have this birth to do something……No ReBirth…
*www.jaibheem.com
All the people in this world have different motives in the world. Some want to become rich, some want to accumulate wisdom, some want a good name, some want to become big hero, some want to break records in all the fields, and still some want to do things which will keep them alive forever in this world. When we see the intention of Jesus, it is compeletly different from the world thinking.
Jesus was born in this world to bring joy to this world. Many people work hard to keep them joyful. Many people spend a lot of money on alchoholic drinks, games, movies, computers, drugs to keep them happy and joyful but it’s all in vain. For these kind of things only brings joy which is temporay in nature.
BUt the Bible says, Jesus birth was the occasion of joy. The angel announced about His birth that He will bring you joy. And you people need not to be afraid in the life. The fear will be removed and all the uncertainities will be taken away, once Jesus comes in the life of a person.
Jesus indeed came to give us the joy and peace, He proved this when He walked on the streets of Jerusalem and other villages. His ministry was for the blinds, the lepers, the physically disabled and the people who were not supposed to be the part of the heathy community. Jesus went to those kind of people and touched them and restored their old life to new life. He changed them by healing their problems and by showing them the love of God.
Jesus loved the people and sat with them and ate with them. This fellowship was very unique in nature, for the people of his time had never expected that the Messiah will love these kind of depraved and hopeless people. They just thought that He will come and will over throw the foreign invaders. They misinterpreted His mission but Jesus started His mission not from the high intellectuals and rich people but from the very simple lowly people of His time. This made Jesus unique because all the kings and Princes looked for friends of their stature only but when this king of kings came, He chose to love the people who were not meeting the standard of those times in any case.
This made Jesus heard to the crowds. He was well heard by the ordinary people. They liked Him and very pleased to have Him but the rich and religious gurus of His time opposed Him for His great love for the people. He broke many rules which were imposed on the ordinary people and made people think why imposed on them rules which were very heavy to carry and to bear. This made all the ordinary people love HIM and embrace His teachings.
Today also He brings joys to the ordinary and simple people. He cares for them and loves them. He wants them to know that He came to give them joy and not to impose on the some more extra burdens. Jesus lifts up the yokes of oppression and gives freedom. He says, I will give you my joy. You come to me and open your hearts for it. Jesus invites us all to HIM to make our lives joyful.
Dear friends as we approach Christmas let’s see Jesus in all the celebrations. Let’s not forget Him in all the activities. Let’s know that His birth brought joys to the people concerned. Jesus wants to give us hope and joy and peace. Are you looking for that ? then come to the Messiah and may your heart and cup be filled with the joys. May you enjoy HIM and praise God for what He has done through the birth of Jesus Christ in this World.
WE thank God that we have joy because of Jesus and not because of money, children, success, and big names. They are also important but pls know that the real jOy really comes only from Jesus.
Future Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because [6] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, [7] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
God’s Everlasting Love
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be [8] against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [9] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“Jesus disciples were willing to fearlessly proclaim freedom to the oppressed, because Jesus’ resurrection convinced his disciples of the validity of the claim he had made… that “I am the resurrection and the life. He who belives in me will live even though he dies…” Dr. Mangalwadi (India: the grand experiment)
This is absolutely true. There was a time when the disciples were afraid, and were timid to share their faith. And not only that but were not even ready to identify with Jesus on the cross but when the Holy Spirit enabled them, they were filled with such a power they could not resist to witness to the Name, not only to their fellows in Israel but even to Romans, under whose dominion Jesus was crucified and beyond that to the Greeks, who thought they were the wisest people in the world.
When disciples rightly understood the missions, they indeed forshook their professions and families and went on spreading the Gospel, for they were convinced of the Truth and the power of God was with them as they shared what they had seen with their own eyes.
Jesus was the revolutionary Messiah, He himself took the initiative to fight the evil of the heart and of society. He broke the barriers and defended the poor, widows, outcaste, lepers, prostitutes and sinners of that time. He before going to heaven gave that misison to the disciples to keep it on. And they did it.
We Christians are not behind and have not forgotten that unfinished task of the Christ. We still carry it in India and other contries even to the most difficult areas of the world, we don’t preach Christ to make Christianity largest religion in the world (it is already there) the number does not big difference in the kingdom, it is the quality of life which matters. It is for this quality of life, we are trying to reform and change through the preaching of the Gospel.
The believers in our nation are trying to carry that same command of Christ to continue to love the poor, and oppressed inspite of the problems and injustices. Let’s NOT loose heart for Gospel sets oppressed free. Wherever this truth will be preached, the human heart, the society and the institutions will experience the truth and freedom. May we continue to engage in that noble task of setting people free following the example of the Great Messiah, Jesus Christ and His Apostles.
I was comforted by this verse last night as I was thinking about it. The Bible says, “Jesus came to seek what was lost.” This is a profound truth of the word of God. The Word of God gives us hope in different situations.
Actually, the truth can be diffrenticiated easily. And it can be compared with a simple test of life situations. What I mean to say is, our old religion always taught us to ’seek God’ and ’search for Him’ in the remote places, far from society, go to find Him in the mountains, where everyone can not reach easily, take baths in the cold winter nights, or go to the destination by making your body suffer (scrolling down). Finally, if you are a normal person of the society, when you are old, leave your family and be a sanyasi or ascetic in the jungles to find the peace and God there.
When I read of this Bible verse that ‘God came to seek us” it comforted me and made me to believe it. Actually, where a mere human (full of limitations) being can we find God. The Bible tells us that We did not choose HIM but rather He chose us to be His followers.
The Bible teaches us that It is He, who came to find us. It is God, who sought Adam, and asked him to come and meet Him in the garden of Eden. It is God Himself who takes initiative to find the humanity in our first parents, even when they had sinned against HIM (for God knew man in his search perhaps would never find HIM but thanks be to God that He chose to reveal Himself to his people, specially to the people whom the world considerd foolish and degrading.
We find that God Himself made a covenant with His people that He Himself will give a sign, that is Jesus Christ will come in the form of God-man to the earth. Here we find that God did not hide Himself in the mountains or difficult places but He came to the people, whom He has created to live with and to reveal Himself to them.
WE should praise God that He found us, He chose us, He called us, He predestined us, He took the initiative for our salvation, He became man, He took the decision in eternity to save us. He made covenant and He did not forget that.
Lord thankyou for seeking us, Lord thankyou for organizing things to save us. Lord thankyou for taking the initiative in all the matters related to our physical and spirituality. Lord thankyou for preparing the world before bringing our first parents in the beautiful world.
Thankyou Lord that we dont need to wander in search of you now. Lord thankyou that we dont need to make our bodies suffer to please you and to make us holy before you. We fully acknowledge that holiness come from you and not from our hard works, and rituals.
Lord give wisdom to those who are still searching you. Reveal yourself on the people, who are still praying to come to Light and Life. Thankyou for being so kind, compassionate and gracious for seeking us and finding us in Jesus Christ our Lord!
Glory and honor be to your Name alone now and forever more….
With the coming of breath of God the dry bones had come to life and become a mighty army (Ez 37:1-14).
The dry bones represented the weak and dead Israel (v.11) Dry bones were pictures of failures and defeat. They had been lying out side of the society in a valley. People did not come to them, for they smell.
Ezekiel was asked by God if there was any hope for them. He simply replied, Lord I don’t know. YOU ALONE KNOW.
Prophet Ezekiel was a man, and from his perspective LIFE for the dead was not possible. There was none to give them life. There was none to care for them. They had been defeated and were crushed to death. They had died there with the expectation of victory but sadly they were overpowered and there was none to fight for them and to be an encouragement for them. There was no hope for them.
But they had hope one time…Now it was gone. Now no more sign of a bright future (V.11).
While there seems to be no way…..God makes the WAY. While there seems to be no hope, God brings the hope. While there seems to be all sad and gloomy, God brings the Good News. While there seems to be oppression and captivity….God brings the trumpet of joy and the message of Deliverance. While we were Yet sinners God sent His Son for us…
The Lord said to Ezekiel, O man, there is still hope for these people, who have been defeated and lying here. They can still stand up and they will come to life and fight for their causes (V.6)
How that was possible?
God said to Prophet Ezekiel GO AND PREACH TO THE DRY BONES.
EZEKIEL WITHOUT DOUBTING: OBEYED GOD AND PREACHED (v.7).
(Ezekiel did not ask, Lord they have no ear to hear).
Lord why should I waste my time with these life less bones?
Lord What if I get sick by walking in the valley full of the bones? etc
BUT Because of the SIMPLE OBEDIENCE AND THE POWER OF WORD and the WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT…
A MIGHTY MIRACLE TOOK PLACE: THE BONES BEGAN TO MOVE, THE LIFE LESS BONES STOOD UP ON THEIR FEET AND BECAME A MIGHTY ARMY (V.10).
This is how the hope of dry bones came alive. When the Word of God was ministered to the STINKING, hopeless, defeated and dead people, the Holy Spirit worked in them thru the Preaching of Word.
Dalits have been in the same state as the dry bones of the valley. They have been mistreated, victimized by injustices, their dignity have been put to death. They have been a defeated people by the upper castes. They have been crushed physically, socially and spiritually.
And there was and there is none to care for them. All people turned their faces from them. No body came to see them in their miseries and oppressed ways. People hated them very much. They made them live outside of their village. They feared their shadow would make them polluted. People feared of serving them anything good for they feared of excommunication from the society and loosing of many benefits.
The gods, Dalits worshipped declared no hope for them. They added to their miseries by causing their adherents to treat them more and more cruelly. They said, they deserved sufferings and oppressions for they have “bad karmas’ in their previous births. They said, they only deserved to be mistreatments and injustices for being born in ‘lower castes’ and finally the curses of the gods.
THEY DID NOT CONSIDR THESE PEOPLE EVEN HUMANS BUT LIKE AND EVEN LOWER THAN ANIMALS. THE ANIMALS HAD FREEDOM, THEY CAN WALK FREELY IN THE SOCIETY AND JUNGLE BUT DALITS NO, THEY COULD NOT. THEY MADE AND DECLARED THEM “NO PEOPLE”.
While all this was going on….The Bible says, “While we were yet sinners, God sent his Son for us.”
Yes, Jesus has come to give us hope. Jesus has come to preach and teach us. Jesus has come to seek us. Jesus has come to give us rest. Jesus has come to love us. Jesus has come to call us his own. Jesus has come to give us life. Jesus has come to be our living bread. Jesus has come to quench our thirst. Jesus has come make us his blessed people. Jesus has come to declare us; you are more valued than a sparrow. Jesus has come to give us life.
Jesus has come to make us an army (triumphant people). Jesus has come to set the captives’ free. Jesus has come to show God love in action. Jesus has come to make the walls of disunity to be broken. Jesus has come to deliver us. Jesus has come to be our leader. Jesus has come to identify with us. Jesus has come to be our Good Shepherd. Jesus has come to call us his people. Jesus has come to show us the Way. Jesus has come to make us walk. Jesus has come to heal our diseases. Jesus has come to make us see. Jesus has come to experience us social and spiritual freedom. Jesus has come to give the dignity as part of his beautiful creation.
The same Jesus of Nazareth, the humble man, who was born to set His people Free, calls us today to set us freeeeee… from the bondage of death and the bondage of social and spiritual oppression.
He is still alive. He is still at work. He is still calling people COME TO ME, I WILL GIVE YOU REST. He wants us to be our Messiah. He wants to make the Dalits move. He wants Dalits to be in the Shepherd Fold. He wants Dalits to hear His voice and be alive. He wants us to experience LIFE. He does not delight in our dark state. He wants us to be the part of his Life which shines in the dark World.
How can Dalits become His living sons and daughters? How can they have hope? How can their filthiness and bad smells be removed? How can they have the life of dignity and honor? How can they experience the joy eternal? How can they rejoice in HIM always? How can their eyes be opened? How can they hear again?
Well the answer is IF THEY CAN HEAR THE MESSAGE OF HOPPE.
If can hear the GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST.
HOW CAN THEY HEAR? UNLESS SOME ONE SHARES IT WITH THEM LIKE PROHHET EZKILE DID IT WITH THE BONES.
WELL MUCH DEPENDS ON THE PEOPLE OF GOD NOW.
GOD WANTS IT…………
DALITS, THE OPPRESSED, VICTIM OF INJUSTICES, THE WOMAN, THE CHILDREN, “NO PEOPLE” WANT IT…………
BUT DO YOU MY CHRISTIAN Friends DO YOU also WANTS IT?
DO YOU WANT TO SEE MIRACLES HAPPENING? DO YOU WANNA SEE DEAD, STINKING, PEOPLE WALKING AND REJOICEING?
Is there any hope for the Dalits today in this world?
Yes…. Yes…. yes
Make the people hear it. Make the people believe it. Give the people option. Give the people hope. You yourself have to have a hope.
LIKE THE PROPHET EZKIEL OUR MESSAGE SHOULD BE FULL OF HOPE, ENCOURAGEMENT, FULL OF CHALLENGE, FULL OF COMPASSION AND FULL OF LOVE.
IF THE CHIRSITIAN BELIVERS ARE WILLING TO OBEY, GOD WILL DO HIS PART. LET’S DO IT. NOW WE DON’T NEED ANY MORE REVELATIONS OF GOD TO GO AND PREACH.
JESUS ALREADY MADE IT CLEAR, GO…….AND MAKE DISCIPLES ALL NATIONS.
YES, THE BLIND WILL SEE, THE LAME WILL WALK, THE DUMB WILL SPEAK, THE OPPRESSED WILL BECOME STRONG, THE CAPTIVES WILL EXPERINCE FREEDOM, AND THE DEAD WILL COME TO LIFE.
WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE…..amen
“Lucknow: After targeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for his anti-Ram remarks, the BJP in Uttar Pradesh today demanded an immediate ban on the sale of books by Dalit icon Periyar alleging they contained “objectionable” references to Hindu gods and epics….” http://content.msn.co.in/News/National/NationalPreT_251007_2133
A few days ago, BJP, a political party demanded immediate ban on the books of a Dalit intellectual and writer in North India. The author was born in South India and worked for the betterment of the oppressed classess. He is credited to be the father of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu state.
He also wrote few books on social issues including ‘true Ramayna”. I am not much familiar with his writings but only little but I am sure he wrote against the discriminatory nature of Hindu gods, who oppose the people who belong to the lower castes in the social system.
I want to ask to the BJP and its supporters, why should we ban the writings of Periyar?
1. Why is it because, he is not a high caste author?
2. Is it because he was not an Indian like Ramayana author, Tulsidas?
3. Is it because He did not deserve to be heard?
4. Is it because He does not belong to the aryan race rather to Dravids?
5. Is it because any inferiority?
6. Was he not a human being like the any other man in our nation?
Why should people ban him? Is it because he does not speak to us? Is he not relevant?
No, Periyar has all the rights to say and to express himself as does the Tulsidas of Ramayana. If Tulsidas can write Ramayana, why not Periyar a True Ramayana?
If Tulsidas and Manu (in Manusmiriti) can abuse the oppressed and lower caste people in their writings thusands of years ago, under the protection of then kings, then why not the today’s dalit cheif minister can publish the writings of a author like Periyar.
Is Tulsidas or Manu any unique or special than Periyar ? no, Not at all. The people from weaker sections and oppressed society must be allowed to express themselves. They had been kept outside of the society, If they raise their voice against that old-aged oppression, what’s wrong in it?
After all, Periyar did not a scarry book, He did not write an imaginative story, But he wrote the things (bitterness, harassment, discrimation) which he and his people experienced. He wrote things which makes sense to the modern society.
If the Hindutwa party want this nation to be peaceful and fair then they should not only allow the writing of like Periyar but should encouraged to publish them, so that the younger generation might know our history and they also learn that authors and intellectual not only born in the so called higher castes but in the lower too.
Every action has a reaction. Why would Periyar write things agaisnt some Hindu dieties? Was Periyar a nonsense? No, simply responded to the teachings of Hindu scriptures. Periyar simply defended the millions of people, he represents. He did not do anything wrong.
We as good people should not ask ban on the books of the Periyar but rather allow public to go thourgh, so that all the people know the reality of Ramayana, and true Ramayana.
Recently, a Tamil movie has been prepared on the life of Periyar, it is going to shown in the Goa International Film festival, all those have access to it, must watch it and try to learn what Periyar has to say.
Asking ban on the thoughts of Periyar is not appropriate. His writings deserved to be read and translated into many languages, so that the people know, the reality of our ancient history. If BJP and its allies want ban and do not allow the writings and movie for the public then, let the whole world know that discrimination still continues in Indian society.
We should work for a society where everybody can say, what he/she has to say. We should live and let others live.
Names are revelatory in nature. Names reveal of a person character and his/her personality. Although at times it may not be true for we are human beings. But everybody desires a good name. The names were officially given by a Brahmin priest in the Indian society. They usually did not like the shudras and the untouchables, so when called at the time of birth of a new born baby, these clever pundits never gave good name to the child of a Shudra or untouchables. So the oppression and discrimination started from the very birth of oppressed classes in India.
A few days ago only I watched a very famous Hindi movie ‘Lagan.” Lagan is a good movie made by Amir Khan, a well known Bollywood Star. In this movie, all the peasants had a Cricket match with the British, on the condition if Indians won, they will get Lagan (tax) free 3 years but if they loose they will be forced to pay 3 times more Lagan to the British in spite of the bad weather.
The movie showed a good point that all the sections (Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh) of Indian society fought together against British oppression. The Director also included a Dalit Character in the game, called ‘Kachara’, the director showed that caste people were not comfortable at his entrance to the Team. This was an example of the common behavior of caste Hindus toward their ‘lower brothers.’ They opposed anything against the Dalit people. Kachara proved to be a good player in the match in spite of his weak hand. Over all, Kachara’s opposition in the team was just a glimpse of the deep rooted oppression.
I wonder, If Amir was the one to give Kachara name to the Character or it was some body else. Well, what is wrong with Kachara name? Actually ‘Kachra’ means ‘junk’ ‘a pile of dirt’ ‘thrown over’ ‘left over’ ‘garbage’ etc. Yes, this name gives the full explanation how the Dalit people were considered by the majority of Indian people. The Dalits were really ‘junk’ for them. In the movie it was not a big thing who gave this name to this Dalit Character; this could be a natural one from the society.
I know from the society, How lower caste people were given names like Kurdh i (a heap of dirt), Jaimal (hail to human dirt, Buddhu (foolish), or some without any meaning.
In my childhood I read a version of Ramayana, it is written by Yashwant Singh. At that time, our family also took part in the play of Ram story. And I recollect from my memory that this Ramayana had a commentary on names. The author suggested the good names for the caste Hindus and made a fun of the oppressed classes names. At that time I did not understand it but I do understand it that it is the part of the oppression of the Dalits.
The Hindu scriptures still record ‘rakshasas’ (monster), ‘Adharmi’ (not righteous), ‘chandals’ (wicked, notorious) names for the original people or the oppressed people of India. And show that how badly they treat them.
A Very prominent Dalit leader became from ‘Ram Raj’ to ‘Udit Raj’. He removed ‘Ram’ from his name, and replaced it ‘Udit’ means ‘arisen.’ Why because, He did not want to identify with a god or king who was opposed to Dalit people.
In conclusion, the oppression of oppressed classes started from the birth of a baby and ended up when he/she died. The Brahmins oppressed Dalits in two ways, in this regard, at the time of birth of a baby they took “dakshina’ (money, clothes, animal, land as gifts) from the family and they also gave funny and bad names to their children. It is a sad thing to know that the oppressed people are still bearing this and don’t want to be part of a liberation movement. May all the oppressed people understand this truth that they need to come out of a system which opposes them from their very existence in this world
It is interesting fact of Jesus’ life that He not only came to preach the good news of the kingdom to set the captives free but He also came to heal our sickness of hearts and body. Luke Presented Christ as great healer.Since he was a doctor, the Lord used him in his capacities.
The gospel preached by Christ must heal our social system too. It is the power of God to transform not only human being but the entire aspects related to them. The whole system which is influenced by the sin must be healed by God’s power. And Gospel must confront every evil practice in our life, home and society. Caste system is one of the major aspects of sinful humanity.
I read recently from one author, “caste has to be there and we need to accept it as the feature of Indian society.” My question to the author is, how about those people’s feeling, who have been ‘killed’ physically, spiritually and socially by this ‘feature’ of society? If Christ can not unite people and bring together under one roof then the sacrificial death of Christ has no meaning, ‘for He died to make us not only reconciled to God but to man to man too.
If you want caste churches to be continued then it means, you are saying, “Let the people be superior and inferior and let them treat each other as they had been doing for generations.” You also saying, “let people continue to treat the image of God ‘as lower’.” What it implies actually, it makes fun of the Creator, who created each one perfectly and declared them to be equally good. Caste Churches don’t follow the gospel but it is the perverted interpretation of the word of God.
The caste based Churches also are a symbol of mixed philosophies. They don’t follow the only way to heaven. They don’t follow the only one who has the Words of life. They compromise God and the idols. The caste based Churches continue to propagate that the Manu and others are right. The Brahma is right, who divided people from their very existence. It is a lie that is perpetuated by the so called Christians, who treat their own brothers as untouchables and make their lives bitter. I wonder! if they will be permitted to enter heaven, for heaven will not tolerate any discrimination. Thank God, Jesus says, I will be with my people, I will be their God, the liars will not be part of that celebration. The racist and the discriminating people will not be there for the presence of God gathers all kind of people and not just any special people or race.
If you think, Indian society can not be caste free society; then, you don’t really have faith in the God, who made this world out of nothing. And ultimately you are implying that your God is not the God of impossible anymore. Remember, He is the one who made Mephiboseth sit on the table of the king. Remember, He is the one who sat with the ‘sinners’ of the society. Remember He said, I live with the person of humble spirit. Remember, Jesus chose disciples from Fisherman, tax collectors, and educated like Paul, Who humbled himself like his Lord, became Paul from Saul.
Remember, it was God in Christ, who broke the curtain between the holy of holy. Remember, Christ walked in a Samaritan village, two thousand years ago, for the first time. He made impossible possible in His earthly ministry.
If you think caste Church is God’s plan then it is useless to believe “God honors all” communities. Because the moment you say, caste Church is God’s plan then you are also implying that some people are lower than others and they can not get the special privileges like being Children of the same Father God.
It also implies that God as a Father does not treat his Children equally. He wants them to be divided and to be higher and lower in one family. But this is cruel joke with the Gospel of Christ, who came to restore us in the image of God, with which we no longer see anyone as mere human. It shows that our minds have not yet been renewed by the Holy Spirit and true repentance still needed.
Jesus came to make us new and renew in our mind, heart and daily conduct. If the Christian life does not reflect, the renewal of mind, heart, and daily conduct then, it is useless to say, “so and so is a Christian (Follower of Christ)”, Because Christian means, a follower of Christ and His teachings. Christ message must be reflected in the daily life and must be seen by the people. Christian life is compared to a city on the hill and a candle on the lamp stand which can be noticed by anyone. And ultimately can not be hidden. If the Christian life continue to do what ‘unbelivers’ do then this short of Christians still in darkness and they have not yet seen the Light of the World.
For every society, country, and man, Christ message has to be relevant. The Gospel must penetrate in the inner parts and must transform the inner man, society, and nation. Wherever the Gospel will go, it will confront the local corrupt system and the false values. It will make people uneasy and uncomfortable but it does not matter for Gospel must transform each part of our culture, society and daily life which is contrary to God’s word.
The Gospel must make us see things as Christ would do if He were to visit our life, society and culture. We must ask a question, if Christ were to visit us today, where do you think, he would go first, don’t you think, He identified with the weaker sections of society? Don’t you think that as for Christ there is no difference for any Church gatherings, as they all meet in His name? But it is sad if we make Church higher and lower. Some people false idea is, Christ will visit them first, for they belong to the higher specy of Christianity. It is nonesense.
If people sitting in the church building still think they are better than other followers of Christ, then I would say they have not understood the message of Christ. ‘They need to examine whether they are in faith or not?’, Because the Bible ask us to “consider other better than yourself.” Their thoughts show they are still in their sinfulness and need to repent before God and his people in the light of God’s word.
God made this world one, although divided by physical and cultural boundaries but for God they matter not. He is still the owner of all. And He is the only One Master of all. His mastership must exceed all the human mastership. All the human rules must reflect his nature and thinking. God no where felt ashamed of his true people. He does not feel to be ashamed of their God and king. Shouldn’t this be the standard of His people too? Should we fear, what others will say, if we fellowship with the new believers from oppressed society? Certainly not, for the praise and appauluse will be mere human but If we obey God, our appreciations will be great value.
When we preach Christ crucified then we are spreading the good news of liberation, the liberation not just from sinfulness of heart but the liberation of total human being. The Gospel must enter and the tiny and isolated thoughts. We can not keep some rooms closed to Christ. He must come in each room of our house, life and society. He must see all dirty and nice one. We have to allow Christ not only to our drawing room but to our toilet, kitchen and the bedroom. He must see all the filthiness in our home and transform it. Unless we allow Christ’s presence in all of the rooms of our life, we can not call him Lord of our life, He must be allowed to reach and touch every aspect of life. The people, who want to propagate caste in the Church, are such who limit Christ only to their guest rooms. They are liars, who become blocks for many seekers. Jesus has to come in the house as a Liberator He must set things free which are bounded by sin and false philosophies.
The gospel of Christ must be superior in all the matters and practices. We can not please everyone. Our first and foremost goal is to please our God. We can not mess it with false ideas anything which is inferior and taken from another sources. After all, our pleasing someone (a section of society) will not bring him/them to Christ; it will only serve for a time. We must make God our exclusive standard. Let all the philosophies of the world be inferior to His Word, the supreme authority.
The concept like one people, one baptism, one bowl, One Lord, only Savior and One way, one Master say a lot to the oneness of Christianity. Paul rebuked Corinthians on the point of schism in the Church. If you call yourself of Paul and Apollo’s or of Peter, Is Christ divided? The divisions especially which implies hatred and discrimination can not be part of the kingdom of God. The intention of Christ’s coming was to unite people with God and with man to man.
Any motives which divide people, doesn’t matter, even if it is to plant Churches or to spread the gospel, is contrary to God’s word. And it has no place in the light of God’s Word. The Lord hates those who divide his people on the pretext of false philosophies. The caste system must be uprooted in the light of God’s word and the Christian missionaries must think to do away this sinful practice. The message of Christ must confront it and must purge it from the hearts and minds of the people so that all people, as one, may enjoy God’s presence and continue to worship HIM as their Lord while staying together.
What is Christian’s duty today? Is it by pleasing some people (the so called high caste) to make the church of God grow? No, certainly not. Can pleasing majority will make the Church grow or win people for Christ? No, Gospel is God’s standard, it can not be compromised to please some. On the contrary the people of our country must humble themselves before the God of Heaven and His message. The people must follow the rules of the King. Jesus is king of the kings, and we must follow His guidelines in all the ways of life. People can not make their outlines of healing as did Naaman. He thought his recommendation letter from king, gifts, vast army will heal him. But he was wrong and was corrected to believe and act as per God rules. Many people want to come to Christ along with their prejudices and outlines of salvation. They want Church to follow their man made stories. They want to make church their own property instead of the Christ. Any ‘Church’ which does not believe in the Lordship of Christ, is a false Church and has nothing to do with the Head and King.
The regeneration must be seen in every aspect of life and not merely on the altar of God. Jesus must become the Lord in each aspect of life including accepting all people of the same God’s Children and treating them equally and having relationship with them in terms of eating, fellowship and marriage. “If you just greet the people who greet you, then what is good in it? If you marry only from your own people, don’t the unbelievers do the same? What is Christian in it? Jesus must transform us in all matters. If we don’t accept him Lord of all the matter of Life, forget about Jesus Lordship. We must surrender to the will of God to be regenerated, to be citizen of the kingdom of God.
Jesus is ready to heal our corrupt social system but it is only possible if the Disciples of Christ will carry his message faithfully and not mess it up with the secondary thoughts to appease some. Jesus’ message is unique and it gives hope in all the problems of life and even to Indian social system. Jesus waits for the people who will make this truth plain to all believers so that people like Dr. Ambedkar and Dr. Udit Raj will not opt for other faith but the only WAY to emancipation. Jesus message unites people from different cultures and background. He says, “I don’t caste out any from my house if they come. I welcome them. I embrace them, I love them. I give them rest and dignity in my house. I am honored to be the God of renewed sinners.” “The lamb and lion shall sit together in my kingdom.”
The first fruit of the Holy Spirit-Love must be exhibited for God and for his wonderful people.The caste system must not be practiced inside Church and all the people should be treated as brothers and sisters, “for the old has gone and new has come”. If we only claim only love God and not his people, and not practice what the Bible says, then let’s be sure to hear from the Lord Jesus Christ, “I know you not.”
“… Indian society needs to change; it needs to inculcate the values of doubt and dissent….Nowhere in the world would you find the kind of abominable caste system that still persists in India, and the indignities that are heaped on humanity. Yet such issues are very cleverly skirted by organizations like the VHP (World Hindu Congress).”*
Well said swami Agnivesh. This is the need of the time. If our society don’t change our superstitions and baseless beliefs then we can not imagine, India becoming a developed nation in the world.
If there are differences at home how can you talk about the peace and unity of the world? What is the meaning of vashudhev kutumbhkum (whole world one family) from your concept? At home you divide people into four divisions and countless subdivisions then how can, we be one people? What kind of religion is that which asks to pay homage to stones and to worship the animals and birds yet when it comes to treat our own fellow being we consider them lower beings?
The foundation of beliefs like caste system, (untouchability) and making women inferiors, which does not make sense any more, must be done away. After all, don’t we throw away garbage which hinders daily life? Do we keep the dirty and old clothes in our home? Do we keep the old plastic or leather shoes in our homes don’t we do away from them? Do we keep the garbage in our home which disturbs the beauty of the home? Don’t we sell it to the junk people (the kabadi)? Don’t we chage our jobs to get better payments? Don’t we change the doctor if we dont improve from sickness? Don’t we change the bus or train if getting late or want a comfortable seats? If this is the case with the physical beauty and cleanliness of homes and body, IF this is case with our daily life and necessacities, then why shouldn’t we think doing away it in the religion too?
If Indians can not do it then don’t blame the people who want freedom and dignity through other faiths and conversions. It is always important to believe in the best. If my forefather or any other were living today they might have asked me to do the same, son! “Do away with the things which keep you enslaved and under oppression. Throw away the chains of slavery which we had been carrying generations after generations.” They might say, “We wish we could do it in our time but there were no provisions for it. Nobody thought about other alternatives but son, “you have the alternatives. Why people should still consider you degrading, when you have all the talents and qualities of life? Why should you be humiliated like us in the 21st century like our times?”
While all Indians know about this bitter truth that untouchability exists in our society and it degrades the countless human beings, not many seem to bothering about it at least the Hindutva contractors. Why should they bother about it, for if they do, their ‘chair’ will be shared by the “lower humans?” These ‘lower people’ will ask to sit beside, to send their children in better schools, to pay them appropriate amount of wages for their hard work, to give them equal opportunity. It is absurd to talk about “India is shining” or calling “ India is great.” without solving the problems of social evils like caste system and low treatment of women’s at home and work.
Yes, if things don’t change, let people follow the steps of Dr. Ambedkar in rejecting those sacred books and unwanted practices of our society. The Dalits and the oppressed must find the solution today for them and for their dear children, so that they don’t anymore be degraded, just because of their birth in a particular caste or belief system. No problem, if others don’t play a role for change, now lets do it ourself. Don’t wait for the last time. Good work should be done as soon possible. We have seen the history and there is nothing to be doubt of our success. Throw away the chains imposed on you and on your children and let the change begun today…
Jesus said, “YOU WILL KNOW THE TURHT AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.”
* http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,100748,00.html
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Good News and Hope for the Oppressed
We want to tell our oppressed friends that they are victim of a wrong philosphy, which divided people right from the birth and closes all doors of any hopes for them. We also want to share with the world, what's going on in our society and community inspite of economic boom. Let the world know that Dalit people still have no opportunities (education, employment, social, political, etc) like others.
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