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The Bible takes an Eastern influence
THE words of the Bhagavadgita, the songs of a Hindu mystic and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi have all found a place in a controversial Bible published in India.
An illustration in the new version depicts the Holy Family as poor Indian villagers – Mary wears a simple sari and has a bindi on her forehead alongside Joseph in a turban and loincloth. There is also a full-page portrait of Mother Teresa, the nun who served the destitute on the streets of Kolkata, above the words “pure and blameless religion lies in coming to help orphans and widows”.
Promoters of the project, called the New Community Bible, claim it will help Indian readers understand the Bible by drawing on “the rich culture and religious heritage of our motherland”.
A team of 30 Indian biblical scholars worked for more than 15 years on the new edition, which has been approved by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and is published by the Society of St Paul.
“I am sure this Bible, made in India and for Indians, will bring the word of God closer to millions of our people, not only Christians,” said Oswald Gracias, the Catholic Archbishop of Bombay.
A simple English translation of the whole Bible is accompanied by extensive commentary notes to assist readers interpret the verses.
This commentary draws on the Bhagavadgita, a Hindu holy book, as well as Indian epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata to help explain the Bible to an Indian audience.
Jesus’ words about storing “treasure in heaven” in the gospel of Matthew are compared to the Bhagavadgita’s teaching that “work alone is your proper business never the fruits it may produce”.
The commentary refers to the songs of Mirabai, a popular 16th-century Hindu mystic. Her hymns of devotion to Krishna, a Hindu deity, are used to illustrate Mary Magdalene’s attitude to the resurrected Jesus.
The teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, Asia’s first Nobel laureate, are also referred to in the commentary.
The New Community Bible has 24 line drawings by Christopher Coelho, which use common Indian cultural scenes to illustrate biblical texts. One depicts a Hindu temple, a Muslim mosque and a Christian church with shoes and sandals left outside the door – a tradition in many places of worship in India. Another shows a poor Indian family living in a shanty hut below towering skyscrapers.
The general editor of the New Community Bible, Reverend Dr Augustine Kanachikuzhy, admitted that references to Indian scriptures had generated complaints.
“This was expected,” he said. “It will take some time for the [new Bible] to gain acceptance.”
Dr Kanachikuzhy denied the new edition watered down the Bible’s message.
The manager of the St Paul’s bookshop in New Delhi, Father Stephen, said the New Community Bible had only been available for about a month but the first edition of 15,000 copies had almost sold out. A new print run is being prepared.
“People in India are really appreciating it, especially the pictures,” he said.
The 2200-page hardcover costs 250 rupees ($6.60).
According to local tradition Christianity was brought to South India by the Apostle Thomas – “doubting” Thomas – in AD52.
Christianity is the third largest religion in India after Hinduism and Islam. India’s last census in 2001 found there were 24 million Christians, about 2.5 per cent of the population, although some estimates put the proportion above 5 per cent.
It is alleged many poor communities do not admit to being Christian because they fear losing benefits reserved for low-caste Hindus.
August 29th, 2008 1:43 am
The New Community Bible is part of an attempt by the Vatican to attract more converts in India as congregations decline in Europe and North America.
“I am sure this Bible, made in India and for Indians, will bring the word of God closer to millions of our people, not only Christians,” Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay, said at a ceremony on the Bible’s release.
The notes even quote Hindu scriptures, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics, to help to explain Christianity to prospective converts. “We wanted to show the parallels between the themes in the Bible and in Indian religions,” Father Tony Charanghat, a spokesman for the Archbishop, said. “We’ve put the sacred text in a local context.”
Some of the new tactics employed in the Hindu Bible:
* Virgin Mary: Barefoot and wearing a sari, with a bindi on her forehead and a naked baby on her shoulder.
* Joseph: Clad in a loincloth and turban.
* When Jesus tells disciples to turn the other cheek, the notes compare this to Gandhi’s creed of non-violence.
What is baffling is Christianity’s utter contempt for other cultures and religions. When discussing the topic of conversion Roman Catholic priests and other missionaries hide behind the veil of education and saving the poor. They have miserably failed in saving the poor and providing secular and quality education all around the world.
Instead of creating free individuals, Christianity creates more poor and people who are always dependent. Only free individuals can create a free society and which will lead to economic freedom. Sadly, Christianity cannot tolerate free thinking individuals.
Instead of creating more trouble around the world by cheap conversion tactics, Christianity and its bosses should bring the word of God (Bible) closer to political leaders in Western Countries. Ask them to stop attacking other nations. Ask them to stop selling weapons around the world. It is time for Christianity to educate its political leaders in Bible – You must love your neighbor just as much as you love yourself. In simple terms stop creating wars and other problems in Africa, Asia and in Muslim and Communist countries around the world.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa said:
Different people call God by different names: some as Allah, some as God, and others as Krishna, Shiva, and Brahman. It is like the water in a lake. Some drink it at one place and call it ‘jal’, others at another place and call it ‘pani’, and still others at a third place and call it ‘water’. The Hindus call it ‘jal’, the Christians ‘water’, and the Moslems ‘pani’. But it is one and the same thing.
Hindus have never poked fun off or criticized Christ. For many Hindus, he is just another path to self realization. But Christianity and its priestly class cannot tolerate and respect the beliefs of Hindus. And their lies the great difference between Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Christianity. (Reference)
September 1st, 2008 10:43 pm
Where is Catholicism heading?
Clearly downhill. Anyone can see it. Xianity is losing adherents in the west. India has about 1.20 billion non xians. They must be converted by hook or by crook. Hence this abomination of a book.
Joseph in Indian dress?
Then where was Jesus killed? India.
Who killed Jesus? Hindus, of course.
Desperation of the church is showing, but Hindus are chuckling!! Xianity can be explained only through Hinduism. QED.