Author: A Maria David
Publisher: ISPCK
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 281
ISBN/UPC (if available): 81-8465-001-9
Description
This book provides a vivid description of the historical, socio-cultural and religious settings with reference to the Hindu-Christian relationship in India at present. It also attempts an unbiased re-construction of the events related to Hindu-Christian conflicts in the Indian subcontinent which marked the beginning of Hindu-Christian polarization in recent times in India.
This work also gives illuminating details and insights about the origin of Basic Christian communities in Latin America as well as in India. A creative exploration into the encounter between Basic Christian Communities and the socio-cultural realities in India.
This work is an in-depth probe into the dialogue of life taking place among the people at the Base Beyond Boundaries. Basic Christian Communities, as People’s forums at the Base, have the potential to emerge as agents of religious harmony in the multi-religious context of India today.
COMMENTS
Dr. David’s argument are empirically substantiated, his style lucid and his findings persuasive and fraught with prophetic challenges to the Churches. Christianity in India is deeply indebted to him for undertaking such a timely and relevant study. The reading of the book is a must for any Christian committed to reverse the rising tide of religious communalism in India and concerned with making the mission of the Church in India more effective and fruitful.
Dr. D. Alphonse
Rector, St. Paul’s Seminary, Tiruchirapalli
Dialogue of everyday life is what this book is all about. That this is possible even in the most provocative and challenging situation is the contention of the author. He demonstrates it through a field studie in a district highly prone to religious communalism. This work is a blend of idealism and realism.
Prof. Dr.Felix Wilfred
Asian Centre for Cross Cultural Studies, Chennai.
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
CHAPTER 1
THE RELIGIOUS SETTING IN THE DISTRICT OF KANYAKUMARI
1.1 Topography and Demography
1.1.1. The Political History of the District
1.1.2. The Socio-Cultural Composition
1.2 The Multi-Religious Setting
1.2.1 Hinduism in the District of Kanyakumari
1.2.1.1. Hindu Worship in Travancore
1.2.1.1.1 Vishnu
1.2.1.1.2 Shiva
1.2.1.1.3 Tutelary Deities
1.2.1.1.4. Sasta or Aiyappan
1.2.1.1.5. Bhagavathi
1.2.1.1.6. Inferior Deities
1.2.1.1.7 Spirit Worship
1.2.1.1.8 Worship of Animals and Plants
1.2.2. Christianity in the District of Kanyakumari
1.2.2.1. Christianity Prior to the Advent of the Portuguese, in Travancore
1.2.2.1.1. The Syrian Christians of Travancore
1.2.2.1.2. The Roman Catholic Christians in Travancore before the Portuguese
1.2.2.1.3. Christianity in the District of Kanyakumari after the Advent of the Portuguese
1.2.2.1.3.1. St. Francis Xavier’s Mission among the Fisher People
1.2.2.1.3.2. Roman Catholic Mission in the Interior Areas in the District of Kanyakumari
1.2.2.1.3.3. The Protestant Mission in the District of Kanyakumari
1.2.3. Islam in the District of Kanyakumari
1.2.3.1. Spread of Islam through Trade Contacts
1.2.3.2. Forced Conversions to Islam
1.2.3.3. Voluntary Conversions
1.2.3.4. Muslims Today in the District of Kanyakumari
1.2.4. Ayyavazhi
Conclusion
CHAPTER II
THE HINDU-CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIP IN THE DISTRICT OF KANYAKUMARI
2.1. Positive Relationship Between the Hindus and the Christians
2.1.1. Positive Relationship between the Hindus and Christians of the Lower Castes
2.2. The Hindu-Christian Conflict During the Time of the Missionaries
2.2.1. Early resistance to Christianity
2.2.1.1. Persecution of the Christians
2.2.1.2. Persecution of the Higher Caste Converts to Christianity
2.2.2. Reasons for the Conflict
2.2.2.1. The Socio-Economic Upliftment of the Lower Castes
2.2.2.2. The Negative Attitude of the Missionaries towards the Hindu Religion
2.2.2.3. Identification of the Christians with the Foreigners
2.3. The Hindu-Christian Conflict in Recent Times
2.3.1. The Hindu-Christian Conflict Based on Mandaikadu Incidents – A Turning Point
2.3.1.1. A report of the Major Events and Circumstances Leading to the Conflict
2.3.1.1.1. The Dispute over the Vivekananda Rock Memorial
2.3.1.1.2. Fear of Increase in the Christian Population
2.3.1.1.3. Unity and Show of Strength Among the Christian Churches
2.3.1.1.4. Proselytisation and Propaganda by the Christians
2.3.1.1.5. Controversy over Places of Worship
2.3.1.1.6. Change of Names of the Places
2.3.1.1.7. Accusation about the Influence of the Christian Educational Institutions
2.3.1.2. The Immediate Circumstances
2.3.1.2.1. A Situation of Violence: Incidents in Madathattuvilai and Kulasekaram
2.3.1.2.2. The Hindu Unity Conference
2.3.1.2.3. Tension over the Vinayaga Idol in Monday Market Junction
2.3.1.3. The Hindu-Christian Setting and Relationship in Mandaikadu
2.3.1.3.1 Tension in Mandaikadu
2.3.1.3.2. The Incident of Police Firing at Mandaikadu
2.3.1.4. Violence After the Police Firing in Mandaikadu
2.3.1.5. Peace Efforts
2.3.2. The Hindu-Christian Conflict Based on Manalikuzivilai
2.3.2.1. The Place and the People
2.3.2.2. The Issue
2.3.2.3. The Conflict
2.3.2.4. The Struggle and the Settlement
2.4. Some Observations on the Conflicts
2.4.1. The Conflicts in the Past
2.4.2 Some Observations on the Conflicts in Recent Times
2.4.2.1. The Mandaikadu related Conflicts
2.4.2.2. Some Observations on the Manalikuzhivilai Conflict
2.4.2.3. Difference in the Attitude Among the Christians and the Hindus
2.5. The Response of the Church to the Hindu-Christian Conflicts in the District of Kanyakumari
2.5.1. Response to the Concrete Plan of Action
2.5.1.1. Lack of Concrete Plane of Action
2.5.1.2. Threat and Assertion
2.5.1.3. Lack of Socio-Political Analysis
2.5.2. Approach of the Church to the Manalikuzhivilai Incidents
Conclusion
CHAPTER III
A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE BASIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES (ANBIANGAL) IN GENERAL AND IN THE DISTRICT OF KANYAKUMARI
3.1. A General Introduction to Basic Christian Communities
3.1.1. Emergence of Basic Christian Communities in Latin America
3.1.2. Basic Christian Communities in Africa, Asia and other Places
3.2. Basic Christian Communities in the District of Kanyakumari
3.2.1. The Terminology
3.2.2 The Background
3.2.2.1. The Sociological Factors
3.2.2.1.1 The Socio-Political Struggles
3.2.2.1.2. Among the People at the Coast: Separation Between the Social and Religious Spheres of Life
3.2.2.2. Socio-Political Forces
3.2.2.2.1. The Voluntary Agencies
3.2.2.2.2. The Leftist Movements
3.2.2.3. Ecclesiastical Factors
3.2.2.3.1. Renewal in Liturgy
3.2.2.3.2. Youth Movements and Associations
3.2.2.3.3. The Role of the Charismatic Movement
3.2.2.3.4. Formation of the People in Renewal
3.2.2.3.5. Family Apostolate
3.2.2.3.6 Structural reforms
3.2.2.3.7. Parish Pastoral Councils
3.2.2.3.8. Church Related Movements
3.2.2.3.9. The Golden Jubilee Celebrations
3.2.2.3.10. The Pastoral Letter of Bishop Arokiasamy
3.3. The Origin of Anbiangal in the District of Kanyakumari
3.3.1. The Kodimunai Experiment
3.3.2. The Impact of Anbiangal in Kodimunai
3.3.2.1. Formation of Particopatory Structures
3.3.2.2. Participatory Communities and their Co-ordination
3.3.2.2.1. The Muluvalarci Sangam
3.3.2.2.2. The Marumalarci Manram
3.3.2.3. Importance for Women
3.3.2.4. Renewal in Christian Life and Liturgy
3.3.2.5. Difference in the Behaviour of the People
Conclusion
CHAPTER IV
THE FUNCTIONING AND STRUCTURES OF BASIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES (ANBIANGAL) IN THE DISTRICT OF KANYAKUMARI
4.1 Anbiangal – Taking Shape at the District Level
4.2 Adithalam (Adithalam (The Official News Bulletin)
4.3 Types of Anbiangal
4.4 The Structural Aspects in the Anbiangal
4.5. Anbiangal Moving Beyond the Boundaries
4.6. A Critical Look Towards the Programme of Anbiangal in the district of Kanyakumari
Conclusion
CHAPTER V
THE PERCEPTION OF THE ANBIANGAL (BCCs) ABOUT THE HINDU-CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIP IN THE DISTRICT OF KANYAKUMARI
5.1. The Method of Enquiry
5.2. The Results of the Enquiry
5.3. Conclusions from the Field Enquiry
CHAPTER VI
General Conclusion
Selected Bibliography
Appendices