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a contextual missiology of the spirit - eTheses Repository ...

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never support BJP as it is a Hindu dominated party. Against this, it is argued that<br />

such a notion is wrong because o<strong>the</strong>r parties also have Hindus as <strong>the</strong>ir major<br />

followers. Beside this, BJP has some Christian members as well as a Christian MP<br />

(Member <strong>of</strong> Parliament). 37 Most churches pray very intensely during election days<br />

that a government which opposes Christians should not come into power. Special<br />

fasting prayers are organized, and people are encouraged to pray for a government<br />

that favours Christians. 38 Such practices are interpreted to mean that Christians are<br />

an anti-BJP community. The need to constantly pray for <strong>the</strong> election <strong>of</strong> pro-<br />

Christian governments was emphasized in <strong>the</strong> leaders meeting on 08 May 2006.<br />

However, Pentecostals argue that <strong>the</strong>y are not against any government, but against<br />

political parties and governments that oppose Christians and <strong>the</strong>ir freedom to<br />

practise <strong>the</strong>ir faith. There is a popular notion that <strong>the</strong> BJP is acting against <strong>the</strong> will<br />

<strong>of</strong> Christians. The increasing number <strong>of</strong> well planned attacks on Christians and<br />

<strong>the</strong> introduction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> anti-conversion law in most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> states where <strong>the</strong> BJP has<br />

been ruling, have given an impression to minority Christians that <strong>the</strong> BJP is<br />

against <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

Fourth, <strong>the</strong>re are <strong>the</strong> social dynamics. Christians are involved in educational<br />

projects, especially among outcastes and tribal communities in <strong>the</strong> rural villages.<br />

Christians argue that as a consequence tribal communities and o<strong>the</strong>r marginalized<br />

37 H.T. Sangliana, <strong>the</strong> BJP MP from Bangalore North, Karnataka, is a Presbyterian from Mizoram.<br />

However, while <strong>the</strong> final draft <strong>of</strong> this <strong>the</strong>sis is being written, it is reported that Sangliana resigned<br />

as a BJP MP, as <strong>the</strong>re was a great deal <strong>of</strong> pressure on him from <strong>the</strong> party, following his stern voice<br />

against <strong>the</strong> recent violence on Christian minority by <strong>the</strong> Hindu militants in <strong>the</strong> state <strong>of</strong> Karnataka.<br />

38 I can recollect what happened in one such meeting a few years ago. The preacher was<br />

questioned after preaching, because he said ‘after all, it is God who brings people into authority,<br />

and so we should not advise God.’<br />

182

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