“Intolerance”
has raised its ugly hood again in India.
In the
recent past, M.M Kalburgi, former Karnatak University Vice Chancellor, was
gunned down for apparently criticizing the Hindu practice of idol worship [1]. A
Muslim man was mobbed to death by his Hindu neighbors over rumors of cow
carcass sighting in the vicinity. A few days later, two Muslim men were
attacked over matters relating to beef transportation in separate incidents.
Intolerance
is being condemned by the opposition parties and quite a few celebrities. A few
award winning writers have returned their awards as a mark of protest against
intolerance.
This recent
intolerance seems to be a new low for Indian democracy, for, as always, it
violates religious freedom and freedom of speech and expression. Reasons for
intolerance are being analyzed in the public domain, so that’s not the intent
of this article. We will instead focus on Christians’ response towards
intolerance.
Persecution
is not solely innate to Christians. Baha’is are persecuted in Iran. Hindus are
persecuted in Bangladesh. Muslim minority is persecuted in Myanmar. The list is
rather endless; every religious group faces persecution when they are a
minority.
Intolerance
is a subtle term for persecution. How then should Christian minority respond to
intolerance?
Pray? Pray for What?
Praying for
intolerance to cease is one option, but is that our only or our primary option?
When Bible emphasizes that persecution is certain in Christian life (2 Timothy
3:12), and when religious persecution is increasing, should we really think our
prayers would impede or preclude persecution?
If our
prayers are in accordance with God’s will, and if God’s will is for persecution
to stop, then persecution will cease. But what if God’s will is for
persecution to continue? What then happens to our prayers, if we merely focus
on praying for persecution to stop?
While we
pray for persecution to stop, we should primarily pray for strength to endure
persecution and a godly response to persecution while and if we are being
persecuted.
Significantly,
we ought to pray for the persecuted; that they would receive God’s comfort,
strength and encouragement in abundance.
To Strengthen Faith?
A frail
response to persecution is to renounce one’s religious worldview e.g. to
renounce Christ. An equally important response to persecution is to strengthen
the faith of Christians. The local church ought to assume this responsibility.
A majority
of Christians are superficially strong in their faith. This superficial
strength cannot retain a Christian in Christ during persecution. Hence, the
local church ought to disciple their flock to remain and grow strong in Christ
(cf. Hebrews 6:1-3).
Christians Stand United?
They say
that persecution unites Christians. History suggests that the otherwise detached
denominations tend to unite during persecution.
Although this
instance of intolerance is not against Christians per se, it could very well
turn out so in the future. But do we need persecution for unity? Shouldn’t
Christian denominations constantly strive towards unity?
Help The Persecuted?
To help the
persecuted is a no-brainer. Religion cannot prevent us from helping each other.
During persecution,
we need to transcend religious barriers to help those in need. Some may need kind words of encouragement and support. Others may need material or
spiritual support.
Whatever
the case maybe, we exist to love and serve each other.
Give Up Beef?
We should
consider this option without discrediting it. Isn’t giving up eating beef
another valid response?
Let’s say
we love to eat pork.
Sale of
pork is banned in certain Islamic countries because Islam forbids Muslims to
eat pork. So we cannot eat pork if we live in those Islamic countries.
Having
lived in such a country for a few years, I know it’s perfectly possible to give
up a certain choice of food – in this case, eating pork. So it’s all in the
mind. If we do want to give up eating beef, then it is possible indeed.
If what we
eat, especially in the context of Hindus’ reverence for cows, would offend
their sensitivities, then aren’t we perfectly legitimate to give up eating beef?
Should we continue eating beef or create communal harmony?
But in this
context, is it necessary to give up eating beef in India?
Hindus in the
Indian State of Kerala eat beef [2]. There seems to be no religious nuance to
beef consumption by Hindus in Kerala. Hence, the Hindu protest over beef
consumption certainly is inconsistent.
Within the perspective
of legislation, India is a democratic country unlike an Islamic State. In an Islamic
State the law of land could prohibit consumption of pork. In India there is no
such legislation banning beef consumption. So why give up eating beef?
To Expect Unbiased Governance?
Good
governance is to manage every situation impartially. Impartiality and tolerance
is of paramount value, for governance includes administration of multicultural and
multi-faith population.
I lived in
the Kingdom of Bahrain for a few years. Many years ago, there was a ban on pork
consumption in Bahrain. The Quran forbids eating of pork (Sura 2:173, 5:3,
6:145 &16:115) [3]. Ban on pork consumption in Bahrain was highly valid
since Bahrain is an Islamic State; hence those who live there ought to abide
by the law of the land.
However,
the rulers of Bahrain relaxed this ban on pork and allowed the sale of pork in
the island Kingdom. This remarkable instance of tolerance ought to be hailed.
But that’s not
it! The second most astounding instance was that of the Arabs living in
Bahrain. Although they detest the sight and odor of pork, the Arabs behind the
billing counters would tolerantly bill the purchased pork to the satisfaction
of the customers.
This
instance of tolerance in Bahrain clearly contrasts the intolerant situation in
India. The Bahraini tolerance teaches a valuable lesson to the Indian
governance.
Need we say
more? Tolerance could prevail if the rulers desire unbiased governance.
Every one
is intolerant of various aspects that occur within our domain. Absolute
tolerance is not the need of the hour.
However, entailment
of intolerance should not viciously injure human life. Extreme intolerance should
be condemned. Killing and maiming of human life, created in the image of God, should
never be an entailment of intolerance.
Endnotes:
[1] http://time.com/4016747/mm-kalburgi-india-murder-rationalist-idol-worship-hindu-nationalism/
&
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ex-vc-m-m-kalaburgi-who-had-run-ins-with-hardliners-shot/
[2] http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-kerala-a-beef-eating-fest-to-protest-against-beef-ban-745587
[3] http://www.islamicvoice.com/february.99/zakir.htm
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