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

people will no longer be subject to the Brahminical social order 39 and so it can no
longer be implemented as these oppressed communities will be enlightened
through education. The tribal communities will be enhanced socially through
assimilation and involvement with other people in the Pentecostal community
through its emphasis on participation and involvement, as discussed in chapter
three.
4.2. Religious Intolerance
India was known as a nation of religious tolerance and harmony until the recent
disturbing signs of religious tension. India is the birth-place of religions such as
Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, and at the same time the nation has welcomed
many other religions such as Christianity and Islam. India is a religiously
pluralistic society, more so than many other nations. However, there have been
examples of a number of religious conflicts in post-independent India, and in the
past few decades there has been a tremendous growth of religious intolerance.
Christianity and Islam in particular face severe hardship from militant Hinduism.
Various reasons lie behind this intolerant religious climate. Religious conversion
is believed to be one of the most significant reasons for the fanatical religious
attitude of some Hindu militants. In his research on religious conversion in India,
Sebastian Kim finds that the conversion issue is a major concern for Hindus, as
they argue that it is ‘the major cause of communal tension.’ 40 Plamthodathil Jacob
observes that the aggressive propagation of other religions, and the conversion of
39 The social order based on caste in India is also known as Brahminical social order, as the
Brahmans occupy the top-most position in this order.
40 S. Kim, In Search of Identity, 187.
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