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‘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.