Not only so called high caste men and women but their children also are jealous of the Dalit children’s education. It is true that family is the first school for the children. They learn and devolep ideas which they hear in the family. They act upon the stories told by their fathers and forefathers. In our [...]

Apostle Peter was not an easy going man. He was an orthodox Jew. He followed His religion very carefully. He had never been to any outcaste’s home for a visit or fellowship.

Was there anyone who could change person like Peter? Peter told while entering a Gentile home, that it is unlawful for a Jew to enter and eat with a person out of Jewish faith (Acts 10:28).   No, human could change his perspectives.

But Peter had a vision from God to learn an important lesson. After that only he went to preach the word in the house of a Gentile, named Cornelius, he saw a great work of God. During his preaching, the Holy Spirit of God came upon Cornelius’ family and friends. This was too wonderful for Peter but He witnessed this with his very own eyes (Acts 10:44). This incident opened his eyes and he exclaimed, “I know realize how true it is that God accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do right (Acts 10:34).”

Peter made this statement “But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean (Acts 10:28b).

So my friends how change in the society or person is possible? What can make people love each other? What can bring them together if they had been separated for centuries?

Find these answers in the Holy Word of God. With God all things are possible. He can make people different. He can make their philosophy different. He can change their worldviews. He can give new meanings to their lives.

If you wish to see change, I invite to you to consider the Word of God revealed in the Bible and The True God Himself, who sets captives free. Be they of any kind! Peter a rigid man, was changed fully. See his declaration; “God made no distinction between us (Jewish) and them (Gentiles) for He purified their hearts by faith”(Acts 15:9). God unites people in Christ; they become one body, one family of God.

There is hope for India and Nepal too.

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

“… 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 21^st 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

The caste system is the unique feature of Hinduism. It was invented to keep the monopoly of some. It’s main intention was to keep some people lower so that they will serve freely and will never ask their rights (appropriate wages) and dignity. The caste system broke the people into many divisions. Caste system was imposed on people in the name of divinity, so that no one would dare to question its authority. But God has seen the misries of His people as He did in the time of Egyptian slavery. The Light of Truth has reached to the villages and cities of our country. The Truth shall uproot the evil of our society and will free those who will apply it in their daily life.

“Casteism is enslaving because it rests on a lie that God created us unequal from the birth. We are different from each other because we are unique, just as each child in a family is unique and different.Being different in our aptitudes, abilities, interests, and motivations does not make us unequal. Just as wise and sensitive parents invest more of their love , affection, time and resources in a child who is weak, we too must invest in caring for those who need greater support.”*

We need to be a voice of the voiceless. We need to represent the oppressed in the media and other places wherever it is necessary. The Lord Jesus was very much interested in the people who were seprated by the false traditions, presuppositions, false philosophies and false values of his time.

Jesus sat beside the lepers, He touched them, talked to them and listened to them. Jesus also talked to the people called Samaritans. Jesus also broke the walls between clean and uncleans. He made it clear that there is no one lord and no one servant but we all need to be servant of each other to serve.

He said He has come to heal the (physical, spiritual, social and religious)sick. Jesus paid attention to the people in need. And He gave this same commision to the Apostles to carry it to the nations.

We, as Christ followrs need to do the same in our time. We can not be lover of God if can not be lover of his people. The people for whom He died and rose again.

Dear friends its time to pray, to identify, to serve oppressed with our gifts and resources. May God bless each of us to serve the needy, the oppressed (Dalits).

Jesus shall say to you…whatever you did to them…….you did it to me.

*Dr. V. Mangalwadi

Raj

Dear Friends!

BELIEF BEGETS BEHAVIOUR? I hope you are well aware of this fact and can see the consequences of this everyday.

The Problems: The Bible in Proverbs 13:23 says, “A poor man’s field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away.” It’s absolutely right in India and in Nepal . People work day and night so hard to produce the wheat and rice, But no benefit of such toiling because at the time of harvest the rates of grains/cotton are brought down by the businessmen.  It becomes very hard for the farmers and laborers to buy grain and cloth, once produced by them. Price controlling is impossible for an ordinary because the businessmen and political leaders CONTROL it for their own benefit.
Why do people hate each other? Why they think of high and low. Why people can not see others prospering? Why don’t they care about each other? How can we have concern about our neighbors, our friends, the oppressed people, the exploited ones, the illiterates, and the so called lower human beings?  What can make us think about the needy? What can think us that we all are equal people created in the same way?  How can we make the hateful and covetous heart into a heart of caring and full of compassion?

Fake Assumptions: Some might say, “The problem must be the system“, some might blame it on the level of education, But we have the 100 percent education in Kerala? Some might say it is because of poverty, well, how about Gujarat and Punjab ? These are well to do states. I believe the system is ok; our constitution is one of the best ones in the world. What really matters is the heart of the people, and secondly, the philosophy of life, which makes our people life hell.

We can have concern and compassion for our brothers and sisters in need through the idea of ONE GOD THE FATHER: the Root of All and The biblical perspective of life are vital to make us understand that.

We are commanded by God to love HIM and to Love HIS Creation. NO matter who they are, what their color are, what languages they speak, even what they believe, where they live and we are to love them.

The people of God are doing this and inspiring others to do that. The Lord is our Father, we are His Children …IF we are His people, Then WE are ONE blood and Relative of each other… Who teaches this…? It is only Bible, which speaks like this and gives hope for making this world and system better.
All the relatives and One family people should know, if one suffers, if one does not have food, or if one’s kids are not going to school, or if one does not have the means to raise his kids and to provide them warm clothes, food and medicines on time then we have to think in our family (as God’s children).
Remember ‘Ideas have consequence.’ Right from the beginning we learn that god did not create us equal but higher and lower. Some are there to be on top others to be their slaves or servants for birth after birth. This makes life miserable. This makes life hopeless and captives. This gives people rights to treat others lower and to oppress them. These are the ideas and philosophies which make people do anything in the name of divine.  

Model of A Changed life: Why did Zachaeus care about the people, he cheated? How his life was changed? How did he become a new man? Why did he start caring about the poor and needy? Why did he think about the people, whom He never bothered about? It was only when Jesus came to his heart and house literally. It was Only when he had heard that all the people are God’s children. Jesus shared Gospel or the message of the kingdom with him. After hearing to Jesus, when he accepted God as his father then he began to think, I should not just live for myself but I need to care for others too.

Through Jesus’ teaching, talk and fellowship Zachaeus life was changed. And then the chief tax collector philosophy also changed. And I personally believe that the people under him must also have been changed by his testimony. AND THIS IS OUR HOPE. It is the biblical belief, THAT TO CHANGE THE WHOLE Corrupted  SOCIETY AND faulty SYSTEM, WE NEED JESUS AND UNLESS JESUS CHANGES OUR LIFE, NO GUN, JAIL , COURT, CONSTITUTION CAN CHANGE THE Corrupted SYSTEM OF THE SOCIETY.

JESUS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CHANGE THE LIVES, VIEWS, PHILOPHSIES, AND UPROOT ALL KINDS OF EVILS from OUR SOCIETY.

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO CAN exhibit THIS TRUTH LIVE IN TODAY’S modern World. JESUS IS CALLING CHRISTIANS FROM Their HOMES, JOBS, FAMILIES, TO SPREAD THE Good News OF SALVATION AND LIBERATION.

Jesus the facilitator: JESUS TOOK THE INITIATIVE TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO FOR THIS. HE LOVED THE PEOPLE, HE CARED FOR THEM, HE INSPIRED PEOPLE TO DO GOOD AND GLORIFY THE FATHER. HE IS NOT ONLOOKER or passive BUT WITH US IN THIS STRUGGLE. HE IS OUR LEADER, WE ARE His followers, HE IS MOVING AHEAD OF US TO CHANGE THE lives, SYSTEMS AND SOCITIES. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT? YES WE DO THIS, BY SHARING THE GOSPEL OF HOPE AND SALVATION.

THE CAPTIVES WILL BE SET FREE NO MATTER OF WHAT…

The summary of God’s Law: WHEN WE LOVE OUR GOD WE LOVE HIS CREATOIN too.  Apostle JAMES SAYS, “DO NOT JUST LOVE WITH WORDS BUT WITH LOVE and ACTONS .”

Gospel the only WAY: I HOPE by now, YOU have understood the Principle OF CHANGING THE LIVES, VIEWS, AND PHILOSOPHIES. It is only the Gospel, which has the answers to our problems. The Gospel was not given by any men or women. It was not an invention of library research. The Good News came from the heaven through Jesus Christ for all the mankind and not just for the Jews. The Apostle John tells us that, God loved the world and because of that He sent his dear Son for all the people and nations of this world. Jesus did not come to be the Savior and Messiah of the Jews or Samaritans, The apostle says, “Jesus came as the light of the world.” Jesus is the bread of life, which is given for each person on this earth.
Jesus has to incarnate in our land, in our home and most of all in our hearts to change us right from the bottom of our heart. Jesus must become the Center of our thinking and lives. Jesus must make us move. Jesus must make us think and behave.  Unless Jesus sits on the throne of our hearts and society, He can not do it.
To bring the Reform and purge all the evil from our society and home and family and individual life, Jesus should be invited.
The Unique Philosophy:  This is the only hope which can cure our Corrupted hearts and minds. This is only philosophy which Jesus preached to reform the evil system of his time. The same philosophy also brought reform in the Europe and America . The barbarian became the ‘first world’ in the world. The head-hunting tribal became the gentle and most educated community of North East India. The same philosophy worked for the good of our people in British time.
The same philosophy had worked for the liberation of women in the early history of our time. The women and Dalits were freed socially and economically. It gave our sisters and brothers to have education in the same school and as one people. All the children sat together as one community. All of them prayed to one God and learned that it is One God who created them one and equal.
 The same philosophy has the power to reform our people and society. We are reaping the fruits of this society such as democracy, banning of sati (widow burning), child marriage, banning of untouchablity, equal treatment of all the citizens. The Hindu Scriptures and philosophies never did anything in this regard; rather they divided and made us miserable people.
THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWER FOR THE DALITS AND FOR THE ENTIRE SUFFERING WORLD. Bible’s message can bring hope, a life full of compassion and care. The Bible IS A MIRROR, IN IT OUR LIVES, VIEWS, THOUGHTS, STRUGGLES, AND INITIATIVES BECOMES CRYSTAL CLEAR.
If we people submit ourselves to the authority of True God and his Word, the Bible then we can correct our self and we can correct others too. If we don’t have the standard then on what basis, do we stand for the social justice and social reform? How can we ask people to be corrected and to behave well for the betterment of human beings? IT is the Bible which gives us the base and challenge for this noble task. It is the Bible which can guide us and bring our society into compassion and caring community.

Conclusion: I HOPE We CAN overcome the political, social economical and religious problems WITH GOD’S Word and people who love God and his Word. All the problems can be solved on the basis of THE people, WHO LOVE God as their FATHER And THINK ALL THE HUMANITY AS the BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
 The concept of one brotherhood and sisterhood makes it in the light of God’s word.
THE God SOCIAL JUSTICE IS WITH US. Believe in HIM and start working for the betterment.
If the Belief system and the philosophy of life are ok all will be ok.  If the foundation is wrong then the whole building is going to be shaky and in trouble. So think of your foundation and philosophy!