Religious Conversion or Multi-Dimensional Transformation?

"This Easter, we, according to our local norms, assemble at a place on the other side of the river. We hired two buses. We were travelling by bus. As bus was approaching the bridge a person waved hands indicating to stop the bus. He was a senior person, and we stopped the bus. After he boarded the bus, we realised he was heavily drunk. Very soon, a police team stopped our bus. They started asking odd questions. The drunk person started making allegation that he was lured with Rs50,00/- to convert," he said.

I was quietly listening to him.

As usual, I went to meet a person who is addressed as a Pastor by many of the people who assemble at his home. I went to meet Pastor uninformed. Nobody accompanied me.

"Where is the house of the Pastor?" I asked a person in the locality.

"You go straight form here and take a right turn and at the end of the right turn take the first left turn and walk till the end of the street," informed an elderly person sitting on a cot by side of a small shop dealing in packaged snacks. A black dog was lethargically sleeping under the shop. On the other side of the road there were three dogs sleeping at the edge of the stagnant drain. One dog was dipping its hurt leg into the drain.

I was walking with shoulder bag that attracted curiosity. I was carrying mobile phone, and I was taking photographs. The street was densely populated, and I realised residents were carefully observing my movement. I kept the mobile phone in my pocket to avoid unnecessary attraction.

On the way, to maneuver correct turns and direction I was thinking of inquiring, but I was also concerned as people in small localities are too much inquisitive about the movement of an outsider. It is further difficult if one is trying to know about a person not welcomed by the local community. I kept moving. Based on approximation, I took chance, and I asked a child. He appeared to be technically inclined, and he was busy assembling a device with wires, capacitors and resistors. Without giving much attention to me, he indicated towards a house.

Without asking, I entered inside the open gate. Two people were coming out.

"I am Vikas, and I am Independent Researcher," I said.

The person looked at me suspiciously without speaking anything.

"I conduct research on cultural issues," I said.

"How did you reach here?" He asked.

"I heard about you from Manohar. We know each other for a long time," I said.

Pastor was not speaking much. He was still looking at me with suspicion.

After a pause he said, "Yes, I know Manohar."

The suspicion on his face was palpable. In ethnographic research they mention about tabula rasa and natural setting. Both appear obsolete and redundant. Going to field without any preparation is risky. Probably, with so many years of experience I have found that only three things are important for access, a) very clear and definite objective of research, b) honest self-declaration, and c) value exchange. Other issues are minor, for example knowing somebody from the locality and so on.

"I am not clear what do you want to do," said Pastor.

"I conduct research on cultural issues. I was a faculty in a management institute, but they terminated my service. I do not have any formal position. My interest in research takes me to places and in various communities," I said.

"Are you interested in Christianity?" He asked. This was after five minutes while I was sitting on the sofa in the drawing room of the Pastor. He brough a glass of water and three ladoos.

"I was extremely hesitant. You might have noticed it. I was not in a mood to extend the courtesies. I have faced very difficult situations. There were people who expressed interest and they sat in the prayer hall and participated in the activities. Later, they called police and alleged conversion. I am still dealing with a 3/5 case. There is FIR against me. It is very difficult to identify between good and the bad. Unfortunately, it is not written on the face. At the main gate we were standing, and I was to see you off, I thought let me take a chance," he said. [Note: 3/5 indicate two sections of the Anti-conversion Law of a state. Section 3 mentions about prohibition of conversion from one religion to another religion by misrepresentation, force, fraud, undue influence, coercion, allurement. Section 5 deals with punishment for contravention of provisions of section 3.]

"Yes, during last one decade and especially, in last few years life of researchers like me has become equally challenging," I supported his views.

"What makes you interested in Christianity?"

"I am a non-believer. Yet, I respect and revere all religions. I have a huge regard for humanity, and I try to understand various phenomenon that touch, influence and impact human life, especially as a collective," I said.

He was listening.

"I will not use word conversion, but I will use word transformation during the discussion. The transformation my scheme is movement or mobility that can be anything, be it economic, social or political. In this case I am trying to understand movement from one faith to another," I said.

"All the people who come here have a faith in God. Irrespective of the name of God, the element of faith is very much there. I tell them about God. In John, Chapter II, verse 16 of Bible it is mentioned, 'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' It is important to note that the God who we love gave his son for our good life and for our goodness. I tell them to study and increase knowledge because there is a Biblical saying 'bina gyan ke praja ka naas hota hai - people perish for lack of knowledge [my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.] It means that if people will not know about the religion by studying the book regularly, they will slowly lose contact and they will move away from the religion. It is also important to mention that in absence of knowledge they will not be able to read Bible at home. They will not be able to grow. Therefore, I emphasise on educating children. You mentioned about Manohar. I regularly followed about his children education. I ask people who come here to keep their house neat and clean and maintain a good hygiene," he was speaking, and I was listening attentively.

"Yes, I noticed it. The locality of Manohar ji's house was extremely dirty but once I entered his house I was hugely impressed," I supported him by abruptly interrupting him.

Pastor was speaking fluently in Hindi. His speech was impressive. His movement from one verse of another verse was impressive. I did not record his conversation. I was even hesitant to take note on a copy. I took out a small slip of white paper and noticed comfort of the Pastor. I took out my copy and started noting important points with abundant caution. I was careful enough not to lose eye contact with the Pastor while he was speaking.

"I tell them to be grateful to the God in everything they do. I tell them to take name of God in everything the get. They should always thank Him and remember Him all the time. I tell them to follow whatever culture they have been following. It is very difficult for a person wearing pant and shirt to start wearing suit and tie. It is also a biblical idea to penetrate the gospel with the existing culture. Kalesia does not stop them from following their existing culture," he said.

"What is Kalesia?"

"Kalesia is a Hindi word for Church. It is also a biblical term," he said. [Later on, I checked internet and found, 'the Greek word translated as 'church' (ekklesia) which means 'called out'']

"Is this place Church?"

"No, this is not a Church," he said.

"You do not conduct mass here?" I said. This question was more about exhibiting my knowledge about Christianity. Thanks to my visit to a Catholic Dominion, I knew the distinction between Church and chapel.

"No," he said.

"Can we use Chapel for this place?" I asked.

"Yes, in a way Yes," he said and added, "On Sunday people assemble in the hall. I read verses from Bible and read parables, sing psalms. Gathering together strengthens the idea of fellowship. You can come on Sunday and observe what we do," he invited me.

"So kind of you. I am obliged. I would definitely join you," I said and asked, "What is fellowship?"

"Fellowship means creating a harmonious relationship among the members so that they can help each other if need be or they can meet regularly at their houses," he said.

I was listening.

"There is a Great Commandment, ''Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [I wanted to interject as other than 10 Commandments I was not aware of any other Commandment, but I was not keen to break his flow. Later on, from the internet I found this as the first of the 10 Commandments, called Great Commandment] and we who are followers of the Lord to spread His glory across the world. The Constitution of India also allows freedom to spread religious faith, the Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India provide fundamental right to spread religion," he said.

"Yes, I agree. Therefore, the state-based suppression by using police and false cases is painful," I said.

He looked at me.

"You are which dominion?" I asked.

"I am not under any formal structure. I want to be free. Once you are under any dominion, they ask you to leave your job and concentrate only and only on religion. I do not want to lose my freedom. I try to help people at my personal level and tell them about the glory of God," he said.

"What about money?"

"Yes, it is a concern, but I rely on a market-based job. I rely on secular source of money by working in a private company. It is also difficult at times as you have to meet many requirements of the workplace. However, I try to maintain a balance," he said.

"Don't you think working full time in association with a diocese will be economically beneficial?"

"Yes, you are correct, but I mentioned you about freedom. The other aspect is monetary transaction. Already people are after people like me, and you know they spread rumor about foreign funding for religious conversions. I do not want to get into all that. Yes, I admit that I am a Pastor and I have to introduce to other Pastors in their formal attire about myself. Even though they do not have any idea of ground reality they think we are inferior to them. Yet, I like this way," he explained.

"What dominion do you follow?"

"Pentacostal," he said.

"Any specific reason for following Pentacostal dominion," I asked.

"Pentacostal dominion allows these types of set up. We can work closely with the community in this fashion. Similar opportunities are not there. You have to abide by every dictate of somebody sitting far away," he said.

"Pentacostal are protestants," I said.

"Yes," he confirmed.

"You mentioned me about the risk on people like you who I understand is in a better situation compared to those who are new joiners. How do they cope up with the present situation?"

"Yes, I completely agree. They have to face more problem, not only from the outsiders but also from the insider, from their own family members. For example, my father had three brothers, two of them followed this path but the other two maintained status quo. They look down upon us and they do not feel enthusiastic in the relationship," he said.

"Do they invite you in family functions?"

"Yes, they do it like mere formality. They will give invitation card, but their expression would be such that it would be better if we do not join them," he said.

"This is your which generation in Christianity?"

"Second generation," he said.

"In my idea of transformation, I am keen to know the element of caste. For example, they say that the caste does not leave even if you leave your religion," I said.

"Yes, you are correct. Most of the people who come here are from Valmiki samaj. They also want to keep their future relationships of marriage within the same caste," he said.

"If it is not a personal question, would you please tell me about yourself?"

"It is fine. My wife is from my SC community. So far, we have been unsuccessful in breaking the case barrier," said Pastor.

"What caste groups follow you?"

"This place has SC majority. There are many castes within SC, for example, Valmiki, Pasi, Gautam, Katheria," he said.

"What is Gautam?"

"Traditionally, they were functional caste dealing with skin," he said and added, "Valmikis traditionally were into cleaning and Katheria are Dhanuk. Pasi are toddy tappers."

"I understand the present aspect of somebody being influenced and follows your path but how do you introduce the element of continuity?"

"There are some families that went back as they could not sustain the pressure of the society. There were 4-5 families," he said.

"No, I am trying to understand how marriages happen because joining a new path also require resources, other than money, health, education and so on. Who would parent marry their son or daughters?"

"Yes, I got your point. It is a challenge. The main challenge is marriage and death. Recently, a person following Christianity died. His Hindu members of the family wanted him to be cremated. There was a tension in the family and the village. Finally, their daughters volunteered for burial. The wish of children of the dead was honored. Yes, you question is a valid question," he said.

"On marriage," I asked.

"I asked the members what they would prefer. For example, one of the members has a marriageable daughter. I have asked him that he may marry her according to family wishes but preferably in Masihi way. They can follow their local rituals, but they can also follow Masihi way. I extend my help. There is no force," he said.

"No, I am not on observing rituals. I can understand. I am on something else. I am on Masihi groom or bride," I said.

"Yes, I got your point now. In the previous example of the daughter of a follower I have asked him to check from his family and if need be, I will find a Masihi groom if he wishes," he said.

"It is quite a generous idea, but don't you think it will affect the propagation of Masihi way. How would Masihi faith grow if the present generation is allowed to follow the previous religion? It will vanish with the generation that selected your faith over its previous faith," I said.

"Yes, you are correct I can understand issue being raised by you, but I cannot do anything that is not according to their wishes," he said.

"Are there Church in this locality?"

"Yes, there are four. The interesting feature is that none of them speak to each other. They do not even allow members other Churches. If I go to one of them, I will be looked at with suspicion. It is strange but true," he said and added "The Bible is one but there are differences among dominions."

"Recently, there was Lent. Do new followers observe Lent," I said.

"Yes, I explained them about the ritual and how to observe Lent. I conducted cottage meetings with them," he said.

"What is cottage meetings?"

"When I go to the house of the follower to tell them about rituals or to conduct prayers for them, it is called cottage meetings," he said.

"Among Catholics there is a norm of paying a portion of income to the Church. IS there similar thing here also?"

"Yes, it is called dashash (one tenth) in Hindi and Tithe in biblical terms. In Malachi there is a reference of Tithe, and it has been asked to be paid regularly to the Pastor by the followers. The other contribution sought is called offering. When followers go to Pastor, they should put some money in the donation box that is called offerings. When we go to follower's house, they should pay some money when we leave," he said.

"Does you followers offer you tithe regularly," I asked.

"No, they are already too poor to offer me Tithe," he said.

"How many families are associated with you?"

"Around 10 or 12? I will tell you that they all came to me while they were in deep trouble. There was one family with a heavy drunkard head of the household. He stopped drinking. Similarly, there was one addicted to gambling. He stopped playing gambling. I prayed for them. This introduced more families to me. This entire complaint of conversion is bogus, and it has been created for controversy. We assemble here and pray for the goodness of the members and about the wellbeing of our country and our fellow citizens," he said.

"Do you think Tithe may be a reason why Pastors of this locality do not speak to each other? They might be sacred that followers may leave his Church and start following other Church that may eventually lead to loss in Tithe collection," I said.

"Yes, you are correct. It might be a reason," he said.

"Is Tithe meant for sharing with other for propagation of faith?" I asked.

"It is the money of Pastor and it is his discretion how he spends it but yes I agree Pastors should at least spend 10% of the collected Tithe on purely religious issues," he said.

"What about political messages of support to any political party?"

"No, we do not do that. We only ask members to choose a party that would be just and fair and do good work equitably," he said.

"But, in the present regime the discrimination against minorities is evident. Don't you think you too have a role and many of the Hindu sects openly ask people to vote for the ruling party," I said.

"Recently, in Chhattisgarh a Pastor was brutally beaten. Even animals are not beaten so badly," he said but did not answer the question of influencing political choice of the members. I did not press further.

"Would you prefer a cup of tea?"

"Yes, many thank for being so kind and generous," I said.

He brough two cups of tea and snacks. He gave a spoonful of snacks to me. I narrated him about my journey to UK. I spoke to him about Salvation Army of Gujarat. He was listening attentively.

"My stories never end. I will take your leave," I said and got up.

He came to the main gate to see me off.