Hindu Catholic Dialogue Commemorative Brochure 20150523

Author(s): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Publisher: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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13. How important is it to try to convert others to this faith? Hindus do not attempt to convert followers of other religions. A growing number of Hindus oppose proselytisation by others, particularly missionary activities that are seen as subtly coercive, using material incentives to target those suffering poverty and lack of education. Further, there is strong suspicion at claims of “exclusivity" or "uniqueness” by any religious group.
14. What is the attitude toward followers who choose to change to another faith? There is no social ostracism of Hindus who convert to other religions.
15. Cite historical periods when there was exceptional amity or conflict between this faith and other faith. To what extent do these conflicts linger today? Hindu society has traditionally been a haven for those persecuted elsewhere (see 11). For a thousand years until 1947, India was governed by non-Hindus who sometimes actively discriminated against followers of Hinduism. And in 1947, India was partitioned on a religious criterion with the creation of territories that are now Pakistan and Bangladesh. Despite the bitter memories of the awful violence that accompanied that upheaval, religions have mostly lived amicably in India. The sporadic bursts of local conflict are probably politically motivated: the poor, uneducated, and unemployed are easily manipulated to provoke unrest and riots. The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all and India is a secular state. “Secular" is not defined as separation of the state from religion but as the obligation to treat all religions equally
16. What are the ways in which this religion interacts with other religions in the USA today? Hindus are a young community in the USA, with many, if not most, adults being first-generation immigrants. The vital effort to build temples is now reaching maturity. Involvement in interfaith organizations has been a high priority for many years and has been the main forum for interacting with other religions. Despite isolated instances of hate-crimes against the Hindu community or places of Worship, relations between Hindus and other religions have been most cordial. A small minority of Americans has gained some familiarity about Hinduism through travel or the study of yoga and ayurveda, but most Americans know very little about Hindu philosophy or religious practice.
COMMEMORATIVE BROCHURE
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