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Like most Desi bloggers, I always peruse through the many different posts on Sepia Mutiny. I might even buy a t-shirt at some point. A lot of times, I get struck by the ferocity with which Anti-Christian commentors attack me. Well it hasn't happend a lot (or ever before), but it has happend today with Mutineer Manish's post on Harriet Miers has sparked a huge debate about Christanity and "spreading the gospel" as us Jesus Freaks like to call it. Here's what he wrote:

 The Central India Christian Mission is part of the Texan-xtian nexus:

The primary task of the mission is evangelism and church planting… It is the need of the hour to train the native leaders in India as much as possible. The Mission Center… is located on about 15 acres of land in Damoh District of Central Province [Madhya Pradesh], India. [Link]

The missionaries, Indu and Ajai Lall and their Bible college-trained brood, are apparently the Johnny Appleseeds of Indian churches:

Over 400 churches have been planted in central and northern India, in the country of Nepal and along the northeast India/Bhutan border. [Link - PDF]

Ok, it has come for me to voice my opinion on this. As a Pentecostal Christian Keralite out of India now currently residing in the United States. Those of you on this blog have made some serious unfair statements about Christians and Christian missionaries. As I am related to several missionaries. (Two uncles are pastors, another one goes on missions to Africa) It certainly hurts when I hear people making suggestions that they could be exploiting people. I know, that in the same sense that I couldn't make a blanket statement about all missionaries that they are all bad. I couldn't do the same that they are all good. But I have met several missionaries who sincerely care about these people. They care about the poor people in India, and those that suffer. And as Razib said, as Christians we believe the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. Thus, there are missionaries working among the rich and poor of India spreading the gospel, because we have a burden for the lost. I understand that sounds demeaning to a lot of people. But I am sincere when I say that it is not meant to be. I can not speak for all Christians, I can speak for the ones I've met and talked to. We care deeply about our Indian brothers and sisters. I hope to see all of them in Heaven once I die. Thus I tell them about the love of Jesus Christ. I don't want their money or anything else. I don't know what else to say, I'm just trying to defend the missionaries, I guess. Please, take a look at the other side before attacking Christians in India and other countries around the globe.

Oh and to the first commenter. What the Spanish did was not at all the right way. If you spread the gospel according to the Bible, you will not be exploiting people or enslaving them. Have a good day folks, and may God richly bless you.

I had already marked myself as a Pentecostal Malayalee. Here is what happend next:

Daycruz,
Would you plz keep your Love of God in your Christian Blog. I believe you misunderstood this blog as a place to preach.

I have a small advice for you. Before you take others burden on yourself, just worry about your burden. That may lead you to hell or heaven or whatever you believe in. Dont forget that you live in a capitalistic society. First worry about your ass, then you can worry about other's ass.

I will never ever believe someone who says he is carrying someone else burden on himself for the sake of going to heaven. Its Just plain bull****.

By the way, is hell really that bad? ...not my HFO

 And so there. A whole can of worms got opened up. A lot of argument stems from this misconception that all Missionaries are attempting to bribe the lower-caste Hindus into becoming Christians by providing them with food and shelter. Well, here's my take: this sort of argument seems flawed to me because it denys the Dalits any sort of choice on how they wish to live their lives. It denys them a conscience by telling them that if they choose to become Christians they are just being bribed and not making a rational decision. It also makes a blanket statement of all missionaries. Not all missionaries are good and neither are all bad. There is always a mix. The missionaries that I have dealt with are wonderful people and really do care about the lost in India. Another thing is, how can Christianity really be Christianity unless I tell others about Christ. For isn't it in the great commision? The idea that we go out and preach the gospel to all nations? The discussion has gotten so vast that it's hard for me to keep track of who's saying what but go there and take a look and tell me what you think.