INSIGHT VIII: Gandhi and Swami's views on Christian missionaries through the lens of Arun Shourie's book

Namaskar, the new series 'INSIGHT' is an attempt to present the central thought of a thought-provoking book. "Missionaries In India Continuities, Changes, Dilemmas", a book by Shri Arun Shourie compels readers to contemplate various points put forth.

Hindu traditions and the form of worship are always condemned by missionaries. Gandhi Ji openly said that idol worship is not a sin. These people are not less developed but they are 'differently constituted'. "Veneration in the Bible, the Koran, the Gita, and like is also an idol-worship, and even if you don't use a book or a building but draw a picture of divinity in your imagination and attribute certain qualities, it is again idol-worship." All forms of honest worship are equally good and equally efficient for the respective worshippers."

He said to a Roman Catholic father, "It is not the stone we worship but it is God we worship in images of stone."
Basically, the missionaries brutally criticized the tradition of idolatry and claimed that the Church has lifted them to Christianity and liberated them from it.

Caste and untouchability have always been criticized as curses by missionaries when Christianity is described as the religion of equality. Caste has survived even after the conversion, there is a demand for benefits of Christians scheduled caste and tribe. No missionary organization protested or said that such a demand is against a basic tenet of Christianity. ( Reference to a judgement by the supreme court)

Also Read: INSIGHT VII: Swami's views on Christian missionaries through the lens of Arun Shourie's book

Gandhi Ji and Swami Ji always pointed this out as a blind- spot.

Idolatry of Hindus is always condemned. Swami Ji explained that the idol is an aid to gathering one's awareness as it is treated to be a symbol or personification of values that are honored and tried to be absorbed. Respecting an animal( for example cow) or a tree ( for example peepul tree) are entry points, it is to 'break the barriers, between man and animal and inanimate material', 'between mind and matter'. This, he described as a great healing point,it is not a wish- fulllfilling thing.The world is not just man- centric phenomenon.

"A wrong action may not bring it's reaction at once,..... like a smoldering fire concealed under the ashes it consumes the wrongdoer". A true warning of Dhammapada.