Comment: Conversion to Catholic good, Conversion to Judaism bad in Mizoram
‘Mizoram: Conversion to Catholic=good; Conversion to Judaism=bad’ stated the title of one post made by an Indian blogger ‘OmShanthi – Peace for all’ which is ridiculous.
I do not understand what this blogger is trying to say. Since s/he doesn’t explain the reason why s/he thinks that Mizos (ethnic Mizos are 100% Christians) converting to Roman Catholicism is welcomed and considered good while conversion to Judaism is considered bad in Mizoram.
As mentioned above ethnic Mizos in Mizoram (Mizoland) are all Christians majority of them are protestants (Presbyterians 55%, Baptists 25%, Evangelicals 3%, Pentecostals 7%, Salvation Army and others 10% approx. ) Catholic 1.7% and Jews 0.02%. Mizoram Chakmas, non-Mizos are mostly Buddhists.
No non-Catholic Church leaders have endorsed Mizos converting to Catholicism:
We haven’t heard any Protestant Churches endorsing their members embracing Roman Catholicism. If the blogger has any proof, we’ll be happy to let us know in detail. We can safely say Catholics were not the pioneered missionaries to Mizo people, and Mizos had already became Christians (Protestants) before the arrival of Catholic Missionaries*. Therefore, when Catholics entered Mizoram, they were looked upon with suspicion and the established Churches did not really welcome them. However, the Catholics established good and reputed schools all over the state and now they have around 17,000 followers across the state that puts them at about 1.7% of the state population. With the passing of time, Catholics are part of the Mizo society today and others have only respect and appreciation for their works. However, theological differences will not allow Protestants to easily embrace Catholic faith.
Opposition to Mizos converting to Judaism:
Like I have mentioned above, no Church leaders will appreciate or endorse their Church members embracing another faith including Judaism. However, the point Mizoram government which is not a Church body, raised was the fear of Mizos migrating en mass to Israel. Some Mizos have alleged that the sole purpose of these once-Christians now Mizo-Jews are economic migrants. What they want to stop them is not conversion to Judaism itself but migrating to Israel. The high rate of conversion to Judaism has been linked to a better life in Israel. If they will practice Judaism peacefully in Mizoram, these hues and cries will not be heard from any quarter. Mizo Protestant Christians converting to Catholics do not convert having in mind to migrate to Italy nor Vatican. They are living peacefully in the state contributing to the growth of the state. Besides, the claim made by Mizo Jews is something that really troubled Mizos as a whole. They are not simply converting to Judaism, but they are claiming that all Mizos are one of the lost tribes of Israel -Bnei Menashe, which is still in contest.
This blogger wanted to label Mizos as being narrow-minded people who will act like Hindu nationalists like RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, etc. The latter are opposed to any kind of conversion and they pressurize BJP governed states to implement anti-conversion bill which they succeeded in some states already. If Mizoram government is like them, they could pass such laws easily, but they are not like them. Religion and faith are a personal choice one has to make in life. If any Mizos wanted to convert to Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Bahai, Sikhism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter-Day Saints, etc, they can. No one can stop them. Mizoram government will not pass any barbaric laws that are being implemented in some other states.
Let’s hope our friend read this blog post and enlighten him/her thinking with this post.
Note:
* This needs proof. Kindly notify us if its otherwise. Thanks.
Posted: July 12th, 2008 under General.
Comments: 5
July 12th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I have received the Google Alert for that blog too and it still amazes me at the ignorance people display over the net. I guess what that particular blogger was trying to say when he mentioned “Catholic” was in fact “Christianity”, because maybe he just assumed that all Christians are Catholics… little did he know that Catholics are just a minority in Mizoram.
As a Christian I am offended by his tactless words, and had I been a Catholic, I would even be more insulted.
But then, you will find such people everywhere, who firmly believes that Christian missionaries preach in the daytime, and shoot at innocent people with AK-47s in the night! You’ll find such propaganda everywhere at Hindutva sites and forums. Sometimes I don’t even get angry.. I just laugh because it is so damn ridiculous that it becomes pure comedy :)
July 13th, 2008 at 4:58 am
Hi Kima, thanks for the comment. We had ignored them in the past but I think we should counter such false claims and allegations from now on whenever we have time. Somehow, they’ve managed to post too many lies on the internet those are read by many innocent people who do not know anything. They are sowing the seed of hatred and anger to the reader, the net result is that many readers can have this generalized view towards our people. A few years ago, one gentleman asked me how much my parents were bribed to become Christians. We need to tell them the truth, only the truth will set the free!(John 8:36) I know there are many people who are reading this kind of post, they are the kind of people who are ready to hear viewpoints from the other side. We need to give them a chance to hear us. May they be awaken to the truth!
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Catholic Church is the true Church founded by Jesus Christ. All other Churches (therefore called denominations) were break away churches by pastors and people who had the differences or freely interpreted the Bible on their own, but not based on sound theological principles. Read and study the true history of churches, what they believe and do not believe, dogmas and doctrines. You will soon discover the differences and embrace the true Church (Catholic Church). God bless you.
May 3rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Hi Pu Dawnga, when we read Church history we only find the misdeeds of Catholic Church in the 15th century. The arrogance of the Catholic Church leaders at that time is the main cause of the Split the Universal Church. If they had not come up with strange things like ‘sale of indulgence’ ‘certificate of salvation’ the split would not have taken place. If they reform the Church from within nothing would have happened, instead they persecuted Martin Luther and other Church reformers. The true Church exists forever, but the Church in the world are always corrupted by mortal men.
If you read Church history and sound theological principles, you will know that Catholic Church has a lot to answer to many questions, let alone the claim of the True Church. The arrogance shown by Catholic Church during the 15th century does not seem to have subsided, does it?
October 30th, 2009 at 3:17 am
why is it not all catholic churches have mass in the afternoon or in the evening? if God is with us 24hours 7days a week why cant the priest give mass in the afternoon or in the evening?
why do catholic do the sign of the cross wehn it does not tell us in the bible to do the sign of the cross or does it?
why do people pray on the wooden saints in catholic church and touches it did it not say in the ten commandments not to idolized idols?
why is it when i ask any questions to a priest i get the cold shoulder and not give me answers?
i want to be part of a church where my priest or pastor true christian people will be open and honest with me and my questions should not be ignored. i have questions and i need a good believer of God to be honest and true…