Unethical conversion

In recent times much publicity has been given to the so-called unethical conversion, burning of churches and attacks on church personalities as a result.

I am a born Christian and have a good practical knowledge and experience of the working of the smaller denomination churches, which are also known as Free Churches, such as the A.O.G. etc.

Although much criticism has been made that these Churches are being run with foreign funding, which money is also allegedly being used to ‘convert’ non Christians into Christians, this is far from true. For, most of the Pastors lead a frugal life with the paltry salary offered by their Head Office, for their voluntary service.

The latest incident reportedly arose because one non Christian in a village was attracted towards the Christian Church and the preaching therein which the local priest and the villagers could not digest leading to the attack on the Church and the Pastor.

Most of the Christian Priests and Pastors are only doing a good service to the Nation with their preaching and this does not mean they are ‘converting’.

Personally I am aware recently two non Christian ladies who are mature enough to understand good and bad, joined a Christian group as they found more solace in the Christian preaching. These ladies have money of their own and do not require any financial assistance from anyone.

If at all any financial assistance is given by the Pastors as reported, it is to the very poor and destitutes, which the Pastors dole out from their meagre income, which presumably is misunderstood as ‘conversion’ money.

Religious tolerance must be practised by all if peace is to return to this small beautiful island.

By religious antagonism we are only adding to the major problems already existing in the country.

I wish and pray that inter religious understanding and harmony will return soon so that all can live in peace, and not in pieces, which is the basic lesson in all religions.

David Williams,
Lindula.