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Apostle Peter was not an easy going man. He was an orthodox Jew. He followed His religion very carefully. He had never been to any outcaste’s home for a visit or fellowship. Was there anyone who could change person like Peter? Peter told while entering a Gentile home, that it is unlawful for a Jew to enter and eat with a person out of Jewish faith (Acts 10:28). No, human could change his perspectives. But Peter had a vision from God to learn an important lesson. After that only he went to preach the word in the house of a Gentile, named Cornelius, he saw a great work of God. During his preaching, the Holy Spirit of God came upon Cornelius’ family and friends. This was too wonderful for Peter but He witnessed this with his very own eyes (Acts 10:44). This incident opened his eyes and he exclaimed, “I know realize how true it is that God accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do right (Acts 10:34).” Peter made this statement “But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean (Acts 10:28b). So my friends how change in the society or person is possible? What can make people love each other? What can bring them together if they had been separated for centuries? Find these answers in the Holy Word of God. With God all things are possible. He can make people different. He can make their philosophy different. He can change their worldviews. He can give new meanings to their lives. If you wish to see change, I invite to you to consider the Word of God revealed in the Bible and The True God Himself, who sets captives free. Be they of any kind! Peter a rigid man, was changed fully. See his declaration; “God made no distinction between us (Jewish) and them (Gentiles) for He purified their hearts by faith” Apostle Peter (Acts 15:9). God unites people in Christ; they become one body, one family of God. There is hope for
Atrocities on the Dalit people never seems to be ending. The Hindus in the so called higher castes treat Dalit people lower than animals. Recently, A man belonging to a Thakur caste pushed a girl in to a heap of fire, just because she passed nearby his house, while going onto the fields. The girl is just of 6 years old, and did not know what to do, when she was asked to not enter that area. The man treated her very badly, and you see in the picture how she is burned because of being born in a "lower caste". Dear friends Gospel is the only hope for these people and please make an attempt to help these people spiriutally and financially. These people need your love in terms of sending their children to school, and to be able to raise thier voice agains such crimes. The little girl kamlesh might have never dreamed of her bad karmas. She never knew what it means to be born in an untouchable family. But before she could learn anything about the devilish caste system, she was thrown into a burning fire by a so called upper caste man in North India on April 30,2008. The story was heart touching. The girl was only 6 years. She did not know what will cost her for being walking in a street where, a hight caste man had his house. The man shouted at her in anger, "why did you come here? What you doing here? How come even the children of lower caste people enter our streets?" Before this girl could understand anything, the man in rage threw her into a heap of burning fire with the intention that she would die there and other will learn the lesson not to walk in the street. The man, Sunny could have talked about the issue in a village meeting or with the guardians of the little baby but he did not. He had no mercy or kindness, for this was a 'lower human being' and that too, 'a girl'. So he went on to punish her, for being a Dalit and daring to cross the border. Well, this man is just an example of millions people like him. What will change these people? What are the hopes ? Let's know from you... Let's share... I do pray that God will take care of His precious people. More later..... The original story can be read here http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080048355 Please watch her vedio http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/videopod/default.aspx?id=28011 Link to the story.  http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080048355http://www.bbc.co.uk/hindi/regionalnews/story/2008/04/080430_dalit_girl.shtml Picture source: www.bbc.com/hindi
Dalits, officially defined as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, constitute one-fourth (24.56%) of India’s population. In absolute terms, Dalits (20.59 crore) outnumber the combined population of France, Germany and UK, and yet, there is not a single Dalit journalist in the capital’s media establishments. Similarly, most public institutions are ostensibly run by ‘enlightened’ Indians, but Dalits continue to have a near-zero presence in them. This symbolically mirrors not only the fate of the community, but also the attitude of caste society towards Dalits. It is necessary to underscore the above explanation to understand Broken People – caste violence against India’s ‘untouchables’. What may otherwise have been a fantastic work, had the report taken into account characteristics of India’s varna/ caste-based social organization, has instead turned into a meaningless exercise. Dalits are subjected to violence at every level, every possible form of violence. Documentation of violent acts, field surveys, analysis and identification of underlying causes, is an essential aspect of the campaign against human rights violations. To a large extent, this exercise is undertaken by a host of state level Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe panels, supplemented by a more powerful commission at the Centre. If hrw was genuinely interested in internationalizing the Dalits’ case, it could have simply reproduced one of the commission’s reports. A human rights group like HRW should have learnt from the American experience. The civil rights movement in America, beginning from the case of the slave Dred Scott, who in mid-19th century filed a lawsuit to attain freedom, all the way to the Civil Rights Act of 1991, has revolved around a host of issues, including questions of representation in media, public institutions, the corporate world – in every sphere of social life. The movement won a major battle when the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) in 1978, decided to grant proportionate representation to minorities (African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans) in all departments of the media. The question of diversity in America’s educational institutions is a leading human rights issue in America today. Further, the hrw cannot claim ignorance about the recommendations of the Kerner Commission, instituted in the wake of civil disorder in the two cities of Newark and Detroit in 1969. In the ensuing racial riot 83 people were killed, mostly African Americans. The commission, in its findings, found inequality, born out of the prejudices of White society, as a fundamental reason explaining violence against the African Americans. To eliminate occurrence of such violence, the commission recommended a range of measures to eliminate the fundamental reason – inequality. Contrary to that rich experience of the Kerner Commission the HRW, in looking at Dalits in India, commits a twin blunder: first, it perceives violence solely as a human rights question for Dalits; second, it considers violence against Dalits as primarily a law and order problem. Driven by such perceptions, the report expectedly advocates a legal solution to violence against Dalits. The report, in its preface, makes a loud claim that the organization ‘accepts no government funds, directly or indirectly’. Why does the HRW make this point? Is it to convey the message that the organization does not seek patronage from the state which, by definition, stands for ‘repression’? The report makes a concerted attempt to portray the police machinery as the main culprit. To that end, a host of references are presented. Based on those references, the report indicts, ‘both state and private actors as responsible for caste-motivated attacks on Dalits.’ While there is no doubt that the police indulge in criminal activities and help the accused in a reasonable number of cases, but is that the complete truth? Truth cannot be seen in ‘absolute’ terms; it is always relative. If seen in relation to violence by ‘private agents’, the police violence against Dalits pales into insignificance. In fact, it is only the police which protects Dalits, not private agents. Why then does the report target the state, considering the fact that the state is the only hope for millions of Dalits? Misrepresentation of facts, inconsistency, and related mistakes occur on almost every second page of the report. But the authors cannot be faulted for this as they come from an alien land, and may have lacked resources and competent staff. But a few points need clarification lest readers develop a low opinion about Dalits. The report claims that untouchables are ‘manual scavengers, removers of human waste and dead animals, leather workers, street sweepers and cobblers.’ This is factually incorrect. According to the 1991 Census, 74.5% of the Scheduled Caste workforce was either cultivators or agricultural labourers and 17.53% worked in industry, construction, trade. Of the remaining 7.97%, a large chunk was in government service. Thus, not more than 3 to 4% would be in the occupations described by the report. Why does the report make this blunder? Similarly, without checking facts, the report asserts that most prostitutes and devdasis come from untouchable communities. The hrw should immediately correct such mistakes, lest some Dalit organization drags them to court. Chandra Bhan Prasad C.B. Prasad, A thinker, and only Dalit journlist writing regularly in English dailies. source: http://www.ambedkar.org/chandrabhan/BrokenPeople.htm *picutre from GFA
Have a look of the Realities occuring on this earth..... Some Vedios related to Dalits life, astrocities and histories on the internet: Free the Dalits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z20Rse-goKQ Who Are Dalits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAdYtDLp0hU I am Dalit How are you? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBxy1R0jitM "INDIA" hinduism value of a man "dalit" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrNvrUanN7A
We still need some vedios from the biblical perspective...
With the coming of breath of God the dry bones had come to life and become a mighty army (Ez 37:1-14). The dry bones represented the weak and dead Ezekiel was asked by God if there was any hope for them. He simply replied, Lord I don’t know. YOU ALONE KNOW. Prophet Ezekiel was a man, and from his perspective LIFE for the dead was not possible. There was none to give them life. There was none to care for them. They had been defeated and were crushed to death. They had died there with the expectation of victory but sadly they were overpowered and there was none to fight for them and to be an encouragement for them. There was no hope for them. But they had hope one time…Now it was gone. Now no more sign of a bright future (V.11). While there seems to be no way…..God makes the WAY. While there seems to be no hope, God brings the hope. While there seems to be all sad and gloomy, God brings the Good News. While there seems to be oppression and captivity….God brings the trumpet of joy and the message of Deliverance. While we were Yet sinners God sent His Son for us… The Lord said to Ezekiel, O man, there is still hope for these people, who have been defeated and lying here. They can still stand up and they will come to life and fight for their causes (V.6) How that was possible? God said to Prophet Ezekiel GO AND PREACH TO THE DRY BONES. EZEKIEL WITHOUT DOUBTING: OBEYED GOD AND PREACHED (v.7). (Ezekiel did not ask, Lord they have no ear to hear). Lord why should I waste my time with these life less bones? Lord What if I get sick by walking in the valley full of the bones? etc BUT Because of the SIMPLE OBEDIENCE AND THE POWER OF WORD and the WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT… A MIGHTY MIRACLE TOOK PLACE: THE BONES BEGAN TO MOVE, THE LIFE LESS BONES STOOD UP ON THEIR FEET AND BECAME A MIGHTY ARMY (V.10). This is how the hope of dry bones came alive. When the Word of God was ministered to the STINKING, hopeless, defeated and dead people, the Holy Spirit worked in them thru the Preaching of Word. Dalits have been in the same state as the dry bones of the valley. They have been mistreated, victimized by injustices, their dignity have been put to death. They have been a defeated people by the upper castes. They have been crushed physically, socially and spiritually. And there was and there is none to care for them. All people turned their faces from them. No body came to see them in their miseries and oppressed ways. People hated them very much. They made them live outside of their village. They feared their shadow would make them polluted. People feared of serving them anything good for they feared of excommunication from the society and loosing of many benefits. The gods, Dalits worshipped declared no hope for them. They added to their miseries by causing their adherents to treat them more and more cruelly. They said, they deserved sufferings and oppressions for they have “bad karmas’ in their previous births. They said, they only deserved to be mistreatments and injustices for being born in ‘lower castes’ and finally the curses of the gods. THEY DID NOT CONSIDR THESE PEOPLE EVEN HUMANS BUT LIKE AND EVEN LOWER THAN ANIMALS. THE ANIMALS HAD FREEDOM, THEY CAN WALK FREELY IN THE SOCIETY AND JUNGLE BUT DALITS NO, THEY COULD NOT. THEY MADE AND DECLARED THEM “NO PEOPLE”. While all this was going on….The Bible says, “While we were yet sinners, God sent his Son for us.” Yes, Jesus has come to give us hope. Jesus has come to preach and teach us. Jesus has come to seek us. Jesus has come to give us rest. Jesus has come to love us. Jesus has come to call us his own. Jesus has come to give us life. Jesus has come to be our living bread. Jesus has come to quench our thirst. Jesus has come make us his blessed people. Jesus has come to declare us; you are more valued than a sparrow. Jesus has come to give us life. Jesus has come to make us an army (triumphant people). Jesus has come to set the captives’ free. Jesus has come to show God love in action. Jesus has come to make the walls of disunity to be broken. Jesus has come to deliver us. Jesus has come to be our leader. Jesus has come to identify with us. Jesus has come to be our Good Shepherd. Jesus has come to call us his people. Jesus has come to show us the Way. Jesus has come to make us walk. Jesus has come to heal our diseases. Jesus has come to make us see. Jesus has come to experience us social and spiritual freedom. Jesus has come to give the dignity as part of his beautiful creation. The same Jesus of Nazareth, the humble man, who was born to set His people Free, calls us today to set us freeeeee… from the bondage of death and the bondage of social and spiritual oppression. He is still alive. He is still at work. He is still calling people COME TO ME, I WILL GIVE YOU REST. He wants us to be our Messiah. He wants to make the Dalits move. He wants Dalits to be in the Shepherd Fold. He wants Dalits to hear His voice and be alive. He wants us to experience LIFE. He does not delight in our dark state. He wants us to be the part of his Life which shines in the dark World. How can Dalits become His living sons and daughters? How can they have hope? How can their filthiness and bad smells be removed? How can they have the life of dignity and honor? How can they experience the joy eternal? How can they rejoice in HIM always? How can their eyes be opened? How can they hear again? Well the answer is IF THEY CAN HEAR THE MESSAGE OF HOPPE. If can hear the GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST. HOW CAN THEY HEAR? UNLESS SOME ONE SHARES IT WITH THEM LIKE PROHHET EZKILE DID IT WITH THE BONES. WELL MUCH DEPENDS ON THE PEOPLE OF GOD NOW. GOD WANTS IT………… DALITS, THE OPPRESSED, VICTIM OF INJUSTICES, THE WOMAN, THE CHILDREN, “NO PEOPLE” WANT IT………… BUT DO YOU MY CHRISTIAN Friends DO YOU also WANTS IT? DO YOU WANT TO SEE MIRACLES HAPPENING? DO YOU WANNA SEE DEAD, STINKING, PEOPLE WALKING AND REJOICEING? Is there any hope for the Dalits today in this world? Yes…. Yes…. yes Make the people hear it. Make the people believe it. Give the people option. Give the people hope. You yourself have to have a hope. LIKE THE PROPHET EZKIEL OUR MESSAGE SHOULD BE FULL OF HOPE, ENCOURAGEMENT, FULL OF CHALLENGE, FULL OF COMPASSION AND FULL OF LOVE. IF THE CHIRSITIAN BELIVERS ARE WILLING TO OBEY, GOD WILL DO HIS PART. LET’S DO IT. NOW WE DON’T NEED ANY MORE REVELATIONS OF GOD TO GO AND PREACH. JESUS ALREADY MADE IT CLEAR, GO…….AND MAKE DISCIPLES ALL NATIONS. YES, THE BLIND WILL SEE, THE LAME WILL WALK, THE DUMB WILL SPEAK, THE OPPRESSED WILL BECOME STRONG, THE CAPTIVES WILL EXPERINCE FREEDOM, AND THE DEAD WILL COME TO LIFE. WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE…..amen
There was a very melodious song a few years ago, "Jahan pawano mein payal, hatho mein kangana, ho mathey pe bindiya, It happens only in India". This song beautifully explains some of the positive things of our country. When we or any one from outside hear it, It makes us feel good. It makes "India shining". But there are bad things too, in our country and we can not ignore and neglect them. They are hard realities of India. Some of the things really do happen 'Only in India.' They dont make us "great and shining" but put a black stain on us. We all know that Dalits have been oppressed by the Hindu religious traditions. And worst victim of the oppression are the womens and children. They suffer many kinds of stigma. One of them is Devdasi partha.
The problem: ":A report prepared by an NGO has revealed the shocking story of how lakhs of Dalit women are being forced into the devdasi system in several States of the country.The report, which was commissioned by the National Commission for Women (NCW), is a grim reminder that heinous practice - dedication of young girls from socially disadvantaged sections to Goddess Yellamma as devdasis - is not only continuing but is on the rise."*
Generally speaking, the priestly class consider the Dalits untouachables. They are not to be seen at certain times. In the olden days, they were forced to go early in the morning to work and return only in evening after sun setting. Main reason behind this was that the shadow of these "lower humans" may not fall upon 'holy and high people'.Same is to be said of gods, in their temples the Dalits were not allowed to enter and offer worship. The 'lower class' if enter in temples it would make them unholy and polluted.
This is the sad story, And this is the double standard life. The priests and gods did not allow all the untouchables in their premesis generally but when it came to beautiful girls of the same community, the fact of being a shudra, or untouchabe was ignored. They took them as Devdasi (servant of god or goddess). "The practice of dedicating Dalit girls to the local Goddess at an young age, between five to 10, is prevalent in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and "According to an estimate, girls dedicated as Devdasis to Yellamma and Khandoba temples in Maharashtra-Karnataka border area number about 2.5 lakh and all are from the Dalit community."*
The Causes: The faith plays a major role in shaping the society. The faith which these people practice and propogate suits to the needs of the land lords, caste people but to the Dalits it makes their lives hell. It is said in the studies conducted by this NGO, "
So this is the way, the 'high caste' treat the Dalits. They make rule and religion which suite them. One side they hate these people but another side they "use them as their property". And they call themselves 'high' but their the works are "lowest".
The solutions: First of all, the authorities should look into the matter. They should make it clear, where does it happen, what is the police station area. The concerned area officers and leaders should be recognized and should be given some rewards for their postive work in the social field and if one does not do his duty should be punished legally if the cases continue to occur in their area.
Secondly, the social awakening is needed in the area. The NGO's and human rights organizations should go and teach the people.The awareness of the families would play a good role.
Thirdly, The dalits should be empowerd economically. The families should be taught some skills to earn thier own bread, so that they dont depend in everthing on the local sahukars.
Fourthly, The media, radio, news paper and T.V. has to play a key role. They should write articles and publish the disadvantages of the evil practices of the villagers. The Radio and T.V. can broadcast drama, musich ,and speech.
Fifthly, The teaching of Bible should be shared with the whole society. Let a high caste hear that it is not good to indulge in sexual relation with another girl other than his wife. Let the wife of the land lord and priest hear this. That they deserve the man, who married them and the husbands should not be allowed to go for other women for it is sin.
Let all the people know that God is Creator of all. Therefore all the people are equal. Any daughter of the villager should not be forced in any immoral activities. Let all the people know that God is righteous God, who will pay back as we do and deserve. God is holy God and can not be mocked. A man will reap what he sows. Finally the True God can be fooled. He is not a stone or wood. He is the real one. He loves people, loves justice and He loves righteousness. Any one who loves True God will not hate his people. And Any one who claims to know God will not do immoral thing. The faith and actions should go together. And if any faith or tradtion propogates the evils, they must be rejected.
The Dalits themselves need to realize who real God is. They must seek HIM who loves them and cares for them. God cares for the captives, God cares for the people in slavery. He came to unchain them. He came to share the good News with them.
Jesus accepts you as you are. come to HIM there is hope in HIM. Let the blind faith no more ruin the precious lives. Let the people be transformed including the oppressors. Then we can claim, "yes our India is shining". If the condition of Dalits continue to remain same, Our India will not shine and rather we will be people of darkness. The evils of society must be purged, with the help of all sections of society.
May God give wisdom to all of us to love, to serve, to transform, to save, to make our nation a better place, on which we can be proud of. May God help.
*Origial story can be read here: http://www.dailypioneer.com/adv_search3.asp?main_variable=Apr2202..FRONT_PAGE&file_name=story7.txt *NCW Bangalore (a joint woman"s Programme)
One of my professor who is not familiar with the Dalits and Hindu society, asked me, what does this photo caption mean?Presently I'm reading a book on 'Dalits Freedom now and forever' written by Dr. Joseph D'souza. On page 96 of this book, there is a photo of a dalit woman, seems to be praying (with joined hands). And the caption of the photo is "In Jesus, Dalits do not need a mediator between God and mankind". well, I happned to show this book to my professor. After going through some pages of this book, He stopped, on page 96 and asked me what does this caption mean? Well, My professor is a scholar of theology and knows well, what it means to have a mediator between God and man. He knows well, about the priesthood of Christ and teaches to the master level. When He asked me about the meaning, I thougt he caught some theological mistake. After a minute I answered him. The caption does not say about the belivers but about the unbelievers (dalits).It did not says Christian, Otherwise the meaning of the caption would have been compeletly wrong. The Acutal Meaning of the Caption is, "Dalits don't need A Brahmin priest to represent them to God in rituals, cermonies and worship of God, once they come to Jesus Christ. Dalits can become themselves priests to the God. Anyone, who belives in Jesus, becomes a Priest of God. Now, we don't need anymore the 'Church Father' or Pastor to pray on their behalf but every beliver of Jesus can have access to their loving God. The 'priesthood of all believers' has been established by the word of God. Although, the Pastors or other learder can pray for the believers, and they do but God also accepts us individually too. But the photo caption meant more than that. Actually having a mediator smbolized that the particular man or family are not worthy to reach to God. And it also implies that as if God only accepts the prayers and worship of Brahimin only. It also teaches that Some people are more holier than others, so that God accpets them, and rejects others. This also brings us to another dimension that the one who calls a Priest in his home, is of lower status. And this, unnessarily puts some poeple higher than others or the family. But Thank God there is no Jew or Greek, no slave or master, nor male or female (no Guru or bhakta) in Christ, all are equal. Although on the basis of knowledge of the Word and age can make differentce but overall Anybody can reach to their Saviour in worship and prayers. The Dalits don't need a mediator in Jesus, meaning- they don't need to pay money as daksina to pundit jee and buy expensive incences, milk, fruits, and many kinds of foods. Actually what happens, when Dalits or others call a pundit to perform puja (worship), the pundit demand money very shrewedly in the name of differnt daan (alms and offerings), in the olden times and even now the Pundit ask the bhakatas (devoutess) to offer their expensive lands, animal which gives good amount of milk(it used to be cow but the traditional cow does not give milk anymore,so no body want them now, but they replace money instead of a cow now, since nobody want to give an expensive buffallo or a Jersy cow) different kinds of grains. Many people have been looted in this way, by so called mediators everyday. When people go to take bath in the pilgrimage, the pandas, over there asks the bhakta to make vows to pay differnet kind of daan, if the amount of money or grains is not sufficient with the bhakta, then Pujari (guru) ask him to pay later, when the harvest is over, (the guru later on sends his chelas (disciples) to collect the money and grains and colthes from the field), the bhakta then is helped in his/her puja. And by giving happily or not with a happy heart the bhakta gets his puja done. I have heard it, and seen with my own eyes in India and Nepal, many have been looted in the name of "religious mediatiorship." And not only this, but if the pujari is not a Brahmin but belongs to any other caste then they also ask wine, and meat, along with money. So this is the practice of mediators. This way, dalit or anybody when they come to Christ, he/she does not need to be looted/oppressed again in the name of religion and mediatorship. God accepts us as it is. God loves his people, the barrier, the curtain in the temple had been torn by Christ death, and now we can have direct acces to holy God. Now finally, we do have a Mediator in the house of God, He is Jesus Himself. But Jesus is not the kind of mediator we have talked just now, on the earth, who loot and oppress but this mediator carries us to God, accepts us, prays for us, interceedth for us, and above all gave his life for us. So his mediatorship is for us and not against us. True mediator brings peace, love, joy, life, and prosperity but the thief (false mediator) takes it away. Those who do not know true Mediator please read about Him in the holy word of God (the Bible).
The Hindu scriptures teaches, that the Avtars (gods) come to destroy the sinners. And it is true, as we read "Yada yada hi dharmasaya...' "jab jab hove dharam ki hani.." and "paritarnaya sadhunam, vinashaya cha duskartam...". All these teachings basically points to the destruction of despised and sinners.The gods, the kings, fought against the sinnners in the country. And destroyed them, their culture, their houses and belongins. It is sad thing. In the name of religion and traditions the followers of same avatars continue to harass, hate, rape and kill the poor and marginalized. The Hindus have no problem accepting Jesus Christ also. Majority accept Him as one of the Avtars, who came upon this earth. But I want to tell them, if you accept Christ as Avatar. Do not put him equal as others, for Christ stands unique in comparision of all the Avtars, who basically came to condemn, destroy and finally to set their kingdoms on earth. Jesus did not come to kill, harrass, to put down, to hate, to destory or to establish his throne. But, He as God-man stands distinct from others. He, instead of taking somebody's life, gave His life for the people. He does not make difference based on birth, karma, race or caste but He loves all his people. He does not love just the Christians but being the Creator, He loves His creation. He says, "I have come so that they (sinners, downtrodden, marginalized, oppressed, hopeless, women, samaritans, slaves, outcaste etc) may have life (John 10:10). He, by his death, saved the life of a very notarious robber, named Barrabbas. He by his death, put an end to the continual sacrifice of animals. He instead of taking somebody's life, shed his own blood for all. Anyone to compare with Him? There are many people, who do not understand Jesus and his work. They must know that, He did not come to start a new religion. He did not come so that people would accept Him as their king and warrrier. He did not come to establish his royal throne. He did not come to have many wives. He did not come to establish a royal family on earth. He did not come to build many mansions, so that people would remember Him, after He is gone but his mission/goal was entirely different than the others Avtars. Jesus became Man, so that the sinners, despised, the evildoers, hopeless and tax-collectors will become the sons and daughtrs of God. For it is said, Son of God became of the son of man, so that the sons of man, may become the sons of God." Dear friend compare Jesus and others. One side is life giver, another side is life-taker. One side is Shepherd, another side is thief, robbers, simple workers. Yes, in Jesus even today there is hope, for his word says, "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)." Yes, Jesus calls even today people, "come I will give you rest." "I will become your guest" "I will come in your house" "I will eat with you" what a comfortable words. Lakeer ke fakir banna chhod do. And compare Christ with others, who offer no hope on this earth and after this life. But Jesus says, I love you (John 3:16). I came for you to give you life and the blessings. May you be able to differentiate between the SAVIOUR of the world and the others. Choice is yours...... No force ...no pressure etc. God has given wisdom to each of us to use it.
The natural tendency of human heart is to identify with the higher sections of society. While everybody wants to be called a friend of highly educated, of noble birth, of good background people, Jesus did the opposite. The people (religious/political authorities) 2000 years ago had the same inclination as of today.They wanted to be entertained by the rich, religious, and of high learned. But Jesus stood different from the crowd. He identified with the despised, downtrodden, the sinners, tax-collectors, the prostitutes, the Samaritans, and the uncleans. Because of Jesus' association with the humble and the outcaste people, He was called their friend by the people. For some it was a shamful title but Jesus took it gladly, knowing that the the title which world offers is of not eternal value. He loved the lowely, humble, despised, the down-trodden and outcaste from his heart. It was not a showy thing for Him. The question arises why did Jesus associate himself with the sinners and despised? The answers could be many but let me list, a few here: 1. Jesus is Creator: Jesus is the image of invisible God among us. He is the Creator, all things were made by Him. All the people love their best handiwork in the world and show them that it belongs to them. They take pride in that, It was created by them. It is same with Jesus too, He created man and woman by His hands, and He takes pride in them, for they bear His very image and were the supreme in all his handi-work. 2. The friendship in Eden garden: In the garden of Eden, God came to meet his representative, and image bearer everyday. He showed his love, concern and care for them. He showed his friendsip with them. He came to love them. Do you remember, even on the day of fall, God came to meet them, and asked where are you? I have come to meet you and fellowship with you. But we know someting bad happend that day and the friendship was broken, but God also promised to restore it, in the seed of Woman. And from that promise, Jesus came to the world in a form of Saviour and God-friend. 3. Restoring the relationship: Satan is enemy of God, since he hated God and rebelled against Him, he also hates the people associated with their Creator. Since satan himself is not at peace, he wants others also in the same state. It was Satan's conspiracy to destroy the friendly relationship between God and humanity. And satan extends that hate compaign to God's creation, the people of His hands. So when Jesus came to this world, He restores that relationship and unites people with people thru His death and resurrection. He makes them one in Church and prayes for them to be united as one as He is One. Restoring the broken relationships was Jesus mission. 4. Jesus was the perfect man: Since Jesus came as the perfect and sinless man in the world, therefore He loved the people and cared for them as it was intended from each perfect man. He came to show us, this is, what God wants us to be in our relations, this is how God sees us and this is how you should treat your brothers and sisters in the world. He is the perfect example of friendship, for He loved people unconditionally and without being partial in any form. 5. To give the dignity and honor : God knew, that because of sin, the world is affected very much and satan is trying to destroy the people in various ways. So Jesus, knowing that the priestly class of his time, and the political authorities did not do anything for a marginalized section of society but rather put them down, became friend of them. He restored them to the fellowship of other people and united them in bond of love. Jesus became the friend of sinners and despised because he Created them. Jesus became the friend of sinners because, it was the real plan of God to love everyone and not to hate. Jesus became the friend of people, to show us that Son of God expects the same from all of His followers. Jesus became the friend of sinners to show the love of God to them. Jesus became the friend of poeple to show that God the Father loves all His people irrespective of their background, color and look. Jesus, knew many have come to destory and punish them but there was none to offer the hope and love. God could not bear it, any more and therefore He manifested His Agape Love for His wonderful creation. Through his friendship, Jesus wanted to remove the bad labels from the people such as sinners, unclean, polluted and untouchables etc. While He was upon the earth, He called his people as His, 'children of God' 'friends', disciples', 'followers', 'saints', 'sheep', 'light of the world' "people of the located on the hills" etc. These shows, how much Jesus loved His people. I really did not have good friend in my life. And I always longed for it but as I mentioned above the world has its own standard, so I felt some time lonely and despised but now I thank God that I have the best friend in the world. I thank Jesus for walking and talking with me. I thank Him for unconditional love. I thank Him for identifying with me and standing beside me. I thank Him for restoring my relationship with God and with many others, whom, otherwise I have thought they are my enemies. Jesus has changed my perspective to see the people. Yes, I can say with the great hymn writor, "what a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear... How about you friend, do you feel the same way as of me? Then know Jesus and have Him as your friend today! Get the best friend in the world has ever known!
Almost every day there is news related to Dalit atrocities. On September 1 also, it was reported by Indian Express Daily that in Danapur (Bihar), " Steaming ‘dal’ was poured on a Dalit woman and her six-month-old daughter, while several others were beaten up for allowing their children to play in the premises of a temple here, police said on Saturday."*1 These children of Dalit caste never knew that they will be punished for playing in the local temple premises. When a man belonging to Yadav caste saw this he "objected and roughed up the children". Later on, the parents of these children came and spoke in favor of their children, which the Yadavas did not like. They made a decision to teach a lesson to the dalit women and children. So these 'high caste' man and his family members, later on on the same day evening, beaten the 3 women and their children, and not only that " Steaming ‘dal’ (boiling soup of pulses) was poured on a Dalit woman and her six-month-old daughter." What a sad thing to read. Children who knew nothing about what was their fault, were punished. These children may not know that they were "lower' humans and not allowed to enter in the temple of their gods. Shame on our society, and on our system, where the educated people involve in such inhuman activities. The man, who involved in the crime was an educated one, retired from the Indian railways. Yes, For these reasons, Dr. Ambedkar protested against the Caste system. And he literally burned the book called Manusmariti, publicly on 25th December- 1927, which divided the people into different sections, making them lower and higher. And on that same day Dr. Ambedkar asked his followers to take the following wows: 1. I do not believe on Chaturvarna based on birth. 2. I do not believe in caste distinctions. 3. I believe that untouchability is an anathema on Hinduism and I will honestly try my best to completely destroy it. 4. Considering that there is no inequality, I will not follow any restrictions about food and drink among at least all Hindus. 5. I believe that untouchables must have equal rights in temples, water sources, schools and other amenities.*2 Well, Dr. Ambedkar did his best to fight against the evil of societies in regards to caste system. And little has improved but mostly, it is same even today, as it was during the time of Dr. Ambedkar. He has been called 'Messiah' by the Dalits because of his love and contribution for his people. Nothing is wrong in calling Dr. Ambedkar as Messiah, but let me point out that, 'Messiah is the biblical term and has been used only for Jesus Christ, who loved his people, cared for them, fought for them against injustices and ill practices of then religious and social system. Jesus Christ, the Messiah stood with the lepers, the outcaste, the unclean, the Samaritans (the untouchables), the tax-collectors and with the weaker section of the people. He became the voice for the voiceless. His love and work was perfect and great for his people. The weaker section of the people, the womens, the sinners, the uncleans loved HIM and liked Him but the religious, social and political authrities hated him very much. But Jesus did not disassociate Himself from the service of the humanity. He said to the people, "I have come to serve and not to be served." His teachings inspired his disciples to carry the misisons in the first century until now. He stands with with the people even now invisibly and speakes for them. The Church today is Messiah's agent to do the same for the weaker sections. Many people hate the Church and its teachings, not because they are wrong or corrupt but because they attack the evil practices of the societies and brings dignity, equality, peace, freedom, liberation to the adhrents. The oppressers and the evil minded people can not bear that. They want a system which will protect their system of enequality and social injusctice. The same loving Messiah shouts for Dalits (children) today, "Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them, for the kindom of God belongs to such as these." Jesus' discples had thought, the children would disturb the function and meeting with Jesus but Jesus asked his disciples, not to stop the children from His presence. When children were brought to Him, He loved and blessed them. What a love of the SAVIOUR! Many thanks to the Messiah of the oppressed and the lover of children. Jesus teaches us a lesson to love the children, work for them and to do our best for them. The children ministry of the Church plays an important role in the eyes of their CREATOR. All the children, women, and people are welcomed in the house of God (the Church). And there is no discrimination. If there is, then, those people do not know who Christ, the Messiah is and They are liars according to the Bible, though they claim to know God but they have no relation with HIM. Will our poeple understand this?
*1.http://www.indianexpress.com/story/213973.html *2. www.ambedkar.org
The caste system is the unique feature of Hinduism. It was invented to keep the monopoly of some. It's main intention was to keep some people lower so that they will serve always and will never ask their rights (appropriate wages) and dignity. The caste system broke the people into many divisions. Caste system was imposed on people in the name of divinity, so that no one would dare to question its authority. But God has seen the misries of His people as He did in the time of Egyptian slavery. The Light of Truth has reached to the villages and cities of our country. The Truth shall uproot the evil of our society and will free those who will apply it in their daily life. "Casteism is enslaving because it rests on a lie that God created us unequal from the birth. We are different from each other because we are unique, just as each child in a family is unique and different.Being different in our aptitudes, abilities, interests, and motivations does not make us unequal. Just as wise and sensitive parents invest more of their love , affection, time and resources in a child who is weak, we too must invest in caring for those who need greater support."* We need to be a voice of the voiceless. We need to represent the oppressed in the media and other places wherever it is necessary. The Lord Jesus was very much interested in the people who were seprated by the false traditions, presuppositions, false philosophies and false values of his time. Jesus sat beside the lepers, He touched them, talked to them and listened to them. Jesus also talked to the people called Samaritans. Jesus also broke the walls between clean and uncleans. He made it clear that there is no one lord and no one servant but we all need to be servant of each other to serve. He said He has come to heal the (physical, spiritual, social and religious)sick. Jesus paid attention to the people in need. And He gave this same commision to the Apostles to carry it to the nations. We, as Christ followrs need to do the same in our time. We can not be lover of God if can not be lover of his people. The people for whom He died and rose again. Dear friends its time to pray, to identify, to serve oppressed with our gifts and resources. May God bless each of us to serve the needy, the oppressed (Dalits). Jesus shall say to you...whatever you did to them.......you did it to me.
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