Persecution – A Biblical Response

Source: Blood Stained Bible, Google Images

Smita Narula, author of the report and researcher for the Asia division of Human Rights Watch, said, "Christians are the new scapegoat in India's political battles. Without immediate and decisive action by the government, communal tensions will continue to be exploited for political and economic ends[1]." The concern which Smita Narula expressed 10 years ago has become a reality at present situation. Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) has recorded 325 incidents against Christian in its 2018 Annual Report ^[2] and has been growing the number of incidents of violence against Christians since 2014. In 2017, India is ranked 15th in the world for dangerous to Christians.^[3]

Recent years there is an enormous change in Indian politics which has triggered the organized persecution against Christians. Ghar Wapsi  ^[4]movements, Anti-Conversion Bills and assaulting Mission Workers has been in headline of Newspapers and channels since the BJP came into power in 2014. BJP has been proceeding toward systematically to fulfil Hindutva agenda – One Rastra (Nation), One Jati (Caste) and One Sanskriti (Civilisation). It is reported that several Ghar Wapsi events were organised in Jharkhand [5], Andhra Pradesh and Telangana [6], Tamilnadu [7]and Tripura ^[8] in which many Christians were converted into Hinduism. Anti-conversion bills passed by various states indicate that Hindutva agenda is gradually proceeding toward Hindu Rastra; and BJP has been taking every possible effort to form government in each states. Consequently, BJP formed government in Assam in 2016 replacing a 15 years old Congress government and in 2018 in Tripura replacing a 25 years old CPI-M led government. Other states like Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, BJP formed governments by alliance with local parties. Sources indicate that BJP has been planning to pass a national wide Anti-Conversion bill, which can be used selectively to shut down the social services and ministries provided by Christian organisations to Dalits and tribal areas. It has been massive concern among Indian intellectuals since 2014 that how we should preserve secular and democratic fabric of our land. There are clear cut attempts through which our constitutional rights are being challenged. There is red signal on emerging religious intolerance and favouritism on the ground of nationalism. We need to understand that supremacist ideology of Hindutva in politics is not a just threat or a topic on table talk but has become reality of land at present.

Nevertheless, it is not new phenomena for us. Christians were being persecuted and accused falsely since the 1^st century. The Scripture itself warns us that “… all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim. 3:12) Therefore one thing should be certain that our response should be honouring to our Lord Jesus Christ, so violence should be never our response toward persecution. 

Start praying

King David prayed that “hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throngs of evildoers.” (Ps. 64:2) It is very possible that there are many things happening around us and we are unaware of it. There are people in our neighbouring who are keeping enmity against us with no reason and we may not know of it. David knew this possibility therefore he said that “more in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies…” (Ps. 69:4) Only our God knows such wicked people and their plots against us. The wicked People are united to hate, harm and kill God’s children; and busy to spread fake news about God’s people. Therefore we must start to pray that God may protect His church and His children from their evil schemes.

Our Lord Jesus has also asked us to pray for those who persecute us (Mt. 5:45). It helps us to forgive our enemies and to express our deepest form of love to those who has been persecuting us. Prayer has power to lead them into repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore as God’s children we need to pray for ourselves for protection and for our opponents for their preservation in Jesus Christ.

Showing love to our enemies

St. Peter exhorts the believers saying, “Do not repay for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you are called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9; cf. Rom. 12:17; Mt. 5:43-44; Lk. 6:27-35). We should never hit back to those who assault us physical and mentally.

Sharing our faith wisely

Persecution sometime is triggered due to offensive acts of Christians. St. Peter exhorts us saying that we should always be ready to share our faith with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). We must know that criticizing others’ religion, customs and culture build walls instead of building bridge. We should avoid argument always in our evangelistic efforts.

Supporting to those who have been persecuted

In the time of persecution, believers may become too timid or too aggressive, which can lead them into another disaster. Therefore it is the time when they need our support and help to recover from the hazards as they go through different kind of emotional moods. We need to pray with and for them, to weep with them for lose, and to meet their needs. It is time to come together in fellowship of love and support. 

Seeking legal help

Our constitution provides us the right to freedom of religion (Article 25), right to freedom to manage religious affairs (Article 26) and prohibits the discrimination on the ground of religion (Article 15). It is our constitutional right to practice and propagate our religion. Being the Roman citizens, Paul and Silas protested in Philippi against abusive acts done by crowds and magistrates (Acts 16:22-39). Similarly today we need to appeal our judiciary to protect our right to practice and proclaim the Gospel. 

Conclusion

Persecution is unavoidable. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself has warned us that “… if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute me … (Jn. 15:20) … the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” (Jn. 16:2) We are powerless to change or stop the growing incidents of persecution in India, but we have power to respond positively honouring our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and to persevere to be faithful unto the end. 

However, a great opposition can be turned into great opportunity to witness, therefore never give up (Gal. 6:9-10).  

--------------------------------------------------

References:

1.         Photo of Blood Stained Bible, Retrieved from Google Images on 18^th March, 2020

2.        Chart, Hate and Targeted Violence Against Christians in India, Annual Report 2018 (p. 9), New Delhi: Religious Liberty Commission of Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI).

 

---

[1] Human Right Watch,  Anti-Christian Violence on the Rise in India (30^th September 1999), Retrieved on 1^st October 2019

[2] Religious Liberty Commission of The Evangelical Fellowship Of India, Hate And Targeted Violence Against Christians In India (Report 2018), p. 5

[3] The Guardian, Christians in India increasingly under attack, study shows (11^th January, 2017), Retrieved on 1^st October, 2019

[4] Ghar Wapsi is a Hindi phrase, which literally means ‘back to home’. It is a battle cry of RSS and VHP to convert Non-Hindus, tribal and Scheduled Caste Christians in Hinduism.

[5] India Today, 53 families converted to Hinduism: RSS in Jharkhand wants block to be Christianity-free (11 April, 2017), Retrieved on 2^nd October, 2019

[6] Chronicle Deccan, Faith matters: 'Ghar Wapsi' boom in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh (28 December, 2014), Retrieved on 2^nd October 2019.

[7] The Hindu, 15 Dalit Christians ‘re-converted’ in ‘ghar wapsi’ ceremony (21 January, 2016), Retrieved on 2^nd October, 2019

[8] Debraj Deb, The Indian Express, ‘Ghar Wapsi’ bid in Tripura: 96 Christians ‘reconverted’ to Hinduism (21 January, 2019), Retrieved on 2^nd October, 2019.