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saidevo
02 April 2008, 06:20 AM
In this thread, let us collect stories of overt and covert Christian aggression in India and other parts of the world, in a bid towards their religious exclusivism whereby they seek to destroy families and cultures of other religions, specially those that are/were oriental in their origin.

Demonstration for Preservation of Religions of the World during Papal Visit to United Nations on April 18 2008
http://www.protectreligions.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=30

Religion is the one of the most potent forces shaping world affairs. This has always been the case, but it is particularly true right now. Much of the charity as well as the strife in the world today is inspired by religion

When religion can be such a force for love, compassion and spirituality, why is it also such a cause of strife and war? One specific aspect of some religions is the root cause of the problems: exclusive truth claims which teach that other religions are false and have to be eradicated through conversion and even killings.

Diversity is the rule of the creation. Only in diversity can the human mind survive. Such diverse religions as the indigenous religions of Africa, Americas and Australia; Buddhism, Baha'i, Druids, Gnostics, Hinduism, Romuva, Slavic and Wiccans, Zoroastrians ... all are faces of a grand prism expressing their understanding of creator and his creation that unites every human being, nay every creature and the creation itself.

But a great amount of this diversity was destroyed and continues to be destroyed by religions professing exclusive access to the mind of God and labeling all other spiritual traditions as evil. Though there are agreements and disagreements among religious philosophies, a very few religious groups express their intolerance to the extent of destroying other religions in order to establish their exclusivist truth claims beliefs. The degree of violence and hate perpetrated by such religions during last two centuries has been colossal in the history of mankind. Mahatma Gandhi called the religious conversions conducted by missionaries who convert and spread hate as the deadliest poison that ever sapped the fountain of truth.

During World Congress for Preservation of Religious Diversity in 2001, Swami Dayananda Saraswati said that the ancient religions of the world have become like endangered species. However, he said, unlike the endangered species, we can confer and therefore come together to find out ways and means to see that diverse religious traditions are saved. Conferences held by organizations such as ICCSUS, World Congress of Ethnic Religions (WCER) are helping to bring together traditions across the world. The Papal visit to United Nations provides the cultures of the world a great opportunity to bring international attention to the threat of religious exclusivism and its consequences for the world religions and humanity.

What is being planned? The plan is to do a Demonstration in front of UN during Pope's visit to UN on April 18th (10AM - 1PM) honoring native cultures of the world and highlighting each culture that was destroyed and the atrocities committed. The parade will include banners, posters and dramatizations, prayers. The parade will start at United Nations and will proceed through the middle of Manhattan in New York City and end at Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Union Square. We also plan to meet United Nations Secretary General to present our case. The message is not against Christianity, but against the practice of intolerance under the mask of exclusive faith claim which happens to be the root cause. We plan to highlight the works of eminent thinkers such as Mahatma Gandhi who stood against religions conversions and intolerance. Mahatma Gandhi, who is greatly revered in the West stood for brotherhood among religions.

Why is this important? History showed to us that change never happens by itself. It requires a collective and determined action to bring about that change. Today, most conversions activities are planned, executed and supported by funds from the West, particularly the United States. Many times they are contributed by unwitting church goers who have little idea as to what their contributions are causing. The Roman Catholic Church along with various Protestant and charismatic groups are the prime movers of the global conversion enterprise. Media management by the Church promotes the image that missionary activity simply is spreading a gospel of love and compassion to the unfortunate peoples of the world. There is no public voice for the victim's story.

Why now? The pope's visit to UN attracts worldwide attention, and we plan to use this occasion to present the victim's side of the effects of missionary activity. Through this demonstration and parade, we plan to bring international attention to the relentless onslaught of religious conversion activity, what it has done and continues to do to the cultures of the world. Our goal is to create a counter discussion to the whole missionary activity, to raise awareness that this activity has a dark side.

Who is organizing this activity? The initiative to hold a demonstration and parade was started by a small group of individuals representing various native cultures. The word spread around the world through internet which resulted in tremendous response from various native culture groups around the world. This is sponsored by 'World Congress of Ethnic Religions'.

Taipan
24 April 2008, 11:18 PM
When religious principals are ignored>>>Gita>>>... Karma