Abstract
The contemporary controversy in India, centered on the issue of evangelization and conversion, has elicited a variety of responses from both Hindus and Christians. Swami Dayananda Saraswati, a well known Vedanta teacher and founder of Arsha Vidya Pitham, equates conversion with violence because of the pain it causes to the family and community of the convert. He likens the religions of the world to ancient historical monuments and argues that these religions, like the pyramids of Egypt, must be preserved and protected. He expresses his approval for what he describes as "nonaggressive" religions that do not seek to win converts. Swami Dayananda equates Hinduism with Indian culture and contends that conversion implies the destruction of the entire culture.
Recommended Citation
Rambachan, Anantanand
(2002)
"Evangelization and Conversion Reconsidered in the Light of the Contemporary Controversy in India: A Hindu Assessment,"
Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies:
Vol. 15, Article 8.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.7825/2164-6279.1275