Hindu leader says Christian converts cease to be Indians

DURBAN: A Hindu religious leader in South Africa has caused a storm within the Indian community by saying that those who convert to Christianity will “lose their right to be Indian”.

Thillayvel Naidoo, an executive member of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha and a Tamil linguist, made the remarks after a Christian convert and a former Hindu priest, Deena Muthen, urged people to maintain their language and culture even if they convert.

Muthen, who is now a pastor practising in the large Indiandominated residential township of Chatsworth in Durban, told his congregation that they should be proud of their rich language and culture. But Naidoo said Muthen’s comments were “tricks” to entice gullible people to convert to Christianity.

“Those who reject their religion lose the right to be completely Indian. Muthen is distracting people with his Tamil-preaching and hymns. Just because he preaches in Tamil does not mean anything, and I condemn it,” he said. However, Muthen rejected the assertion.

Source

(Listed if other than Religion News Blog, or if not shown above)

Religion News Blog posted this on Tuesday September 4, 2007.
Last updated if a date shows here:

   

More About This Subject

AFFILIATE LINKS

Our website includes affiliate links, which means we get a small commission -- at no additional cost to you -- for each qualifying purpose. For instance, as an Amazon Associate, Religion News Blog earns from qualifying purchases. That is one reason why we can provide this research service free of charge.

Speaking of which: One way in which you can support us — at no additional cost to you — is by shopping at Amazon.com.