Conversion and confusion' enlightening

‘Conversion and confusion’ is an informative and interesting article which appeared in a Sunday paper. It has catalogued numerous incidents of clashes all over the country with pictures which all these years have been suppressed. Similar clashes have taken place since 1993. Evangelists have not only targeted Buddhists, but also, Hindus and traditional Christians. They are called "Born again Christians". Evangelists have destroyed the harmonious relationship that existed between these religious groups. A well documented study by the regional center for strategic studies titled "New Evangelical movements in South Asia" in Sri Lanka and Nepal has pointed out that there were 73 Evangelical groups officially and very many more were active in Sri Lanka. The study concludes that if timely action is not taken to defuse tensions, religious conflict is likely to flare up. This was in 1998.

The title ‘Conversion and Confusion’ aptly describes the present situation in the country. The salaried pastors with their hired field-workers in vehicles invade backward villages where the villagers are leading simple and peaceful lives suffused with Buddhist religion and a culture which is more than 2,500 years old. Resistance from any culture is inevitable to such incursions. As far back as 1996, Brouwer, a social scientist said:

"Christian Fundamentalism, not Islam, may have the potential to create more conflict internationally, for it can avail itself of all the advantages and power generated by a western dominated economic system and its invasive message of consumption".

It is evident who are directly responsible for "the confusion" and the resultant reaction, of conflict and violence. It is precisely for this reason that the Minister for Internal Security and Christian Affairs, John Amaratunga, did not include the National Christian Alliances, among the list of recognized churches in Sri Lanka when he launched the website recently.

The article contains serious charges of partiality against the judiciary. In Sri Lanka, nearly 70 per cent of the population are Buddhists. Therefore any institution should be manned by the majority religion or race. It is so in U.K., America, Italy or Norway.

In Sri Lanka from 1833, 100 per cent of the Judiciary comprised Christians until the 1900s with very little exceptions. Chief Justices were all Christians with the exception of Mr. E. L. Wijewardena and Mr. Hema Basnayake. Though there were occasions when judgements affected Buddhist interests, Buddhists never attacked the judiciary. Though we had judges with political background, their judgments were never challenged. It is bad form to attack judges when particularly one’s case is weak.

The judgments referred to in the article does not interfere in any way or abridge "The freedom of thought, conscience and religion`85 " as set out in article 10 of the constitution. But, however, it has ruled that the freedom guaranteed by Article 10 (of the constitution) to every person to adopt a religion or belief of his choice postulates, that the choice stem from the free exercise of one’s thoughts and conscience without there being any fetter or allurement which anyway distorts that choice (Sc 2/2001)

It may be interesting to note some of the International declarations on this subject.

Article 19 (2) of the international covenant on civil and political rights states :- 18 (2) ‘No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or a belief of his choice"

Article 1 (2) of the Declaration of the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief states .

1(2) - "No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have a religion or belief of his choice"

Tamil Nadu legislation not only prohibits unethical conversions but has imposed severe penalties.

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has not only emphasized these settled laws of other countries and International declarations, but also pointed out the special position of Buddhism under Article 9 of the constitution and the duty cast on the government. Similar positions have been accorded to Christianity in Italy, Norway, U.K. and to Islam in the Muslim countries. So Evangelism has to abide by our Constitution, if they are to carry out their missionary work here .

Dr. R. D. Randunu
Digana