Village Meeting “Right now ‘you hate them and they hate you’ is the name of the real disease. And politically motivated conversion will only aggravate this hate. So, what you need is not political power but the strength to overcome hate and to love each other. Search for such a belief system” said Evangelist Sam C P, to the village heads who asked his opinion regarding their conversions.

Almost two years back I visited a village where the village heads crowded around me for a discussion. On their request I agreed. An elderly man said that they were planning to leave their present religion and embrace a faith which will bring them out of the caste bondage. He wanted to know my opinion.  

 I enquired, “When you see a problem in your belief system why don’t you first try to reform it?”  

This elderly, seemingly uneducated man was quite informed. He said,” ‘Maadsaheb’(Sir), even Ghandiji couldn’t accomplish that”.  

“But then”, I continued, “if you leave a belief system under political motivation it is never going to free you but will put you into another form of slavery and segregationist life. You will be used as pawns in the hands of political manipulators for their number game”.  

Four of them quickly responded, “We also sense that.”  

I further continued “It’s true that your trouble is because of a system but it has eventually led you to hate a particular set of people. And having come out of this system when you become educated and powerful you will only use your powers to take revenge on those neighbors”. 

“Right now ‘you hate them and they hate you’ is the name of the real disease. And politically motivated conversion will only aggravate this hate. So, what you need is not political power but the strength to overcome hate and to love each other. Search for such a belief system. Hate breeds fear; fear breeds Violence & Violence further breeds division.” 

But, “Jesus Christ promises to give you the medicine for the real disease. If you will yield to him He will impart a love in your heart which will help us to love our neighbor as ourselves. According to him Love has two effects. First, love covers a multitude of sins. And second, True love casts away all fear. Now, this alone can remove hate, fear, violence and division thus it sets the foundation for progress & Harmony.” 

The old man looked little frustrated. He said, “I am now 70 yrs old I always thought there must be a loving God but now I have concluded there isn’t any such”.  

“No Bhabaji !,its not like that, God sure did come to meet you on many occasions but the only problem was that  the ‘contractors ‘ who shaped our  society were not willing to tell us his name & in his place they put there own & became venerated by us.” 

“What do you mean?” He retorted. 

“Do you think constitution is a great gift to your community?”  

 Oh yes! He replied.

 I asked him, “From where do you think our constitution got the idea of Freedom and Equality? Our Constitution Committee found these two pillars of the Western constitution were the fundamental missing link for our nation’s growth. And the one’s who already had it claimed to have received it from Jesus Christ. But this name was bypassed when it was brought to you.” 

 I enquired, “Do you agree that Ghandhiji was the most prominent influence for India’s Independence?”  

Oh Yes! He replied.

I continued, “But Ghandhiji claims that he learned from Jesus Christ that Sacrifice produces life. But when the time came for him to advice the nation on their guiding principle He said it is The Gita. If today you have the privilege of good health & education it is because Jesus Christ long back decided to come & make his home among us.”

By now it was 4 hours. The group was clearly divided. Some said they wanted to hear more about Jesus Christ. And from there other brothers continued.

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