Conversion or recruitment?
Q: Is there a problem with proselytism overseas by U.S. religious groups? Isn't sharing one's faith part of religious freedom? When does it cross the line into manipulation and coercion? I believe systematic and institutionalized endeavors to proselytize on a global stage is warfare by other means. I am not opposed to conversion per se. If someone finds meaning in a particular message and seeks to embrac... [Mar. 6 2010]

The role of US evangelists in Uganda's 'kill the gays' bill
A law proposing execution for homosexuals exposes a murderous fantasy. A recent proposal in Uganda to legislate the execution of homosexuals has sparked international outrage. Although the Government has since revised its prescribed sentence from death to life imprisonment, the bill remains striking for its overt hostility towards gays. The move is more than just a Ugandan oddity - it is the embodimen... [Jan. 14 2010]

Religious Conversion as an Economic Enterprise
Religious conversion has to be examined in its global context, because coerced conversion is not a spiritual but a political act with economic motives. So was colonization; though they said they came to civilize us! The so-called religious wars such as the Crusades were about wealth and dominance. War is not an option any more because it is no longer economically viable. It can lead to expensive re... [Jan. 14 2010]

Did Christianity Cause the Crash?
America’s mainstream religious denominations used to teach the faithful that they would be rewarded in the afterlife. But over the past generation, a different strain of Christian faith has proliferated—one that promises to make believers rich in the here and now. Known as the prosperity gospel, and claiming tens of millions of adherents, it fosters risk-taking and intense material optimism. It pumped air i... [Nov. 18 2009]

Orissa police arrest two Christians for throwing beef at Laxmi idol
Rourkela (Orissa) : Orissa police have arrested two person for allegedly throwing beef at an idol of Goddess Laxmi on Sunday. The arrested persons are Fransis Ekka and Ajit Munda. However the brother of Fransis Ekka claimed to be the main culprit. The police have also seized about two kgs of beef from near the idol. A large number of people gathered in front of Goddess Laxmi puja pandal at Bolonda vi... [Oct. 7 2009]

christian terrorists kill at least 11 villagers
Assam, 5 October (AKI/Asian Age) - Seaparatist rebels in northeastern India shot and killed at least 11 villagers, police said on Monday. Separatist and tribal rebels are often blamed for attacks in India's northeastern Assam state, a remote region hit by insurgencies in recent years. After lying low for a month, predominantly Christian rebels from the National Democratic Front of Bodoland rebels on Sund... [Oct. 5 2009]

The Conversion To Intolerance: How the Missionaries are destroying the ancient Hindu Culture
[Author\'s note: What I write here is controversial, perhaps even inflammatory, but unequivocally true. The daily incidents unfolding in south India, at the missionaries and churches had been verified thoroughly during my trip last year, in direct contact with the victims, re-converts, village and panchayat officers. More than anything, what really prodded me to address this chilling milieu is a simple ... [Sep. 8 2009]

Singapore PM Makes A Strong Case Against Aggressive Proselytising
In his annual National Day Rally Speech it is customary for Singapore’ Prime Minister to praise the achievements of his government in the past 12 months and raise peoples’ hopes for the coming 12 months. But, this year, to the surprise of many, he touched a subject that has been taboo for public discussion in this multi-religious nation of 4 million people for the past four decades – Religion. ... [Sep. 8 2009]

Does Evangelical Giving Do the World Good?
This week, Barack Obama is expected to sign into law the GIVE Act, which aims to increase volunteering. It gives young people a way to pay for education with public service. Some right wingers have been squawking because the plan excludes religious activities like church attendance and outreach from the social service hours that can be applied for credit. Personally, I'm relieved. I want my taxes to pay for... [Apr. 21 2009]

The truth about World Vision
World Vision, the world’s largest Christian church mission agency, has traditionally been closely linked with successive American governments. The former US Ambassador for International Religious Freedoms, Dr Robert Seiple, was World Vision chief for 11 years till 1998 when he was picked by former president, Bill Clinton, to head the office of International Religious Freedoms. Around the period when Seipl... [Mar. 24 2009]