Tribute to 9-11

Time has quickly passed. Don't free your memory of the emotions that reigned on this day, seven years ago.

A Response to the Violence in India

In a time and place where war, peace, and equality transpose to create harmony among the many diverse cultures and races in America, it seems fictional to read of mobs evoking unreasonable destruction of societies because of their religious stance. However, it’s happening. An attempt of religious genocide is occurring in India by people who believe their countrymen should have no right to convert from the dominate religion, Hinduism, to Christianity. I often convince myself to believe that prejudices are being eliminated throughout the world, that the common population is being given more rights to make their own discernments of religion and morality. However, the blanket of American government and culture has tainted my vision. Moral and religious issues are extremely prevalent outside of my homeland. Reading this article opened my eyes and brought a tear. To even think of those who are innocently suffering for what they believe in, is stomach-churning.

This article introduces many explanations for social dissension on the mob’s side, and explanations for religious conversion on the victim’s side. The Christians say they are being targeted because of their educational opportunities, which are open to all willing India occupants, even the socially rejected tribal communities. The Indians say it’s because the Christians bribe and\or force the Hindu’s to convert. Others believe people convert, “not only to Christianity, but to Buddhism, Islam and Marxist atheism, [because] people are in revolt after 60 years of their rights being trampled,” New York Times says, “it has nothing to do with any particular religion.” While it is very possible that the reason for the recent attacks may be a mix of these theories, what is not mentioned is the Indian-Christian’s true attraction to the idea of faith and an eternal life in heaven. Perhaps these people want to become Christians because they are convinced it’s what they should believe, without force or bribery.

What I am unsure about is what is being done to prevent this biased destruction. New York Times reports that the police were not doing enough to stop the attacks. Mr. David, a profound journalist from India explained to me, “in India there are 28 states, the Federal government that rules India as a whole is not concerned with these attacks. However, the leader of the state government has an opinion, he says, ‘we want to stop them,’ because in India, it’s bad news to kill people.” Unfortunately this article introduces many questions; do the mobs have reason to fear the government officials? Have they gotten away with such injustice in the past? Even though the government spurns murder, what are they doing to stop it? Timesonline.co.uk quotes an Indian Christian man saying, “They said that we must convert if we want to return. We can never go back.” These Christians are willing to suffer for their beliefs, the article concludes in encouragement with an Indian woman saying “My husband died for God Christ, I was born as a Christian and I will die as a Christian.”