Debating 'Conversion' in Hinduism and Christianity

Hindu and Christian debates over the meanings motivations and modalities of âconversionâ provide the central connecting theme running through this book. It focuses on the reasons offered by both sides to defend or oppose the possibility of these cross-border movements and shows how these reasons form part of a wider constellation of ideas concepts and practices of the Christian and the Hindu worlds. The book draws upon several historical case-studies of Christian missionaries and of Hindus who encountered these missionaries. By analysing some of the complex negotiations intersections and conflicts between Hindus and Christians over the question of âconversionâ it demonstrates that these encounters revolve around three main contested themes. Firstly who can properly âspeak for the convertâ? Secondly how is âtoleratingâ the religious other connected to an appraisal of the otherâs viewpoints which may be held to be incorrect inadequate or incomplete? Finally what is in fact the âtrue Religionâ? The book demonstrates that it is necessary to wrestle with these questions for an adequate understanding of the Hindu and Christian debates over 'conversion'. Questioning what âconversionâ precisely is and why it has been such a volatile issue on Indiaâs political-legal landscape the book will be a useful contribution to studies of Hinduism Christianity and Asian Religion and Philosophy. . Language: English