Mother Theresa was one great soul

Mohan Bhagwat is a busy man, after BJP came to power his statements are scrutinised with zeal as if it is government policy intent.  Mr. Bhagwat is not entirely wrong about Christian missionary, proselytising as one of the main resolve. But to reduce Mother Theresa as mere proselytiser is gross, and any right minded person should raise serious objection to it.     

 What is wrong with conversions? Proselytising is guaranteed under constitution, it is a fundamental right. If it provides one with better reasons and amenities to live then the person should convert.  Believe, faith, no faith, no believe etc. is a personal matter of individuals. As mentioned earlier from the context of egalitarian worldview and enlightened thoughts, the encompassing spiritual freedom, God is too abstract. Conversion to different gods doesn’t change anything much, it is a matter of convenience and comfort. Clearly, nobody is born into a religion, humans are born into humanity and they can choose what suits their fancy. Any denial on this right or any form of branding to the community or system because of being born into it is denial of this right (the unfortunate exception could be nationality). Children therefore must be exposed to different religious thoughts, as also philosophical deliberations that question these. People must be exposed to egalitarian views and thoughts, and equipped in matters of logic and abstract ideas. Unlike what the ever predominating market may think human beings are more than consumers, also that schools/colleges are not meant to be factories manufacturing market friendly corporate designed robots, who are meant to dedicate to GDP.  

  Unfortunately, in most societies they don’t have these freedoms, indeed a vicious form of religious freedom is imposed on them. The reason why insular and primitive thoughts get consolidated, it tends to form identity and many times the sole identity under the zealous eyes of perpetrators as well as violators of human rights. Human beings must convert and convert all the time. They must explore, they must know. Nobody is born into the morass of stifling tradition and therefore will have to work out the fate herein. These can be thoughts that emerge from the most primitive and crudest understandings. Converting from one religion to another religion is as natural that can be, moving from religion to no religion is also quite natural. The realisation that religion comes with structures and tradition that is patriarchal and feudal is also quite natural, but nevertheless the insights can be valuable as people negotiate life. 

It is in this context Hindu rightwing have all the rights to conduct ghar wapsi. Nevertheless it is a joke since they really don’t have an egalitarian framework, nor nuanced understanding of Hinduism. Their squatter brethren’s (masquerading liberal. Indeed they claw each other to chisel their identity but yes all of them very much entrenched in the squatter’s primitive home truths, the camaraderie is where the nuance skills emerge) concerns have to put in the manipulative tradition of elites appeasing Christians. It goes back to colonial period, and hence has been drivelled in as defining liberal moment. Indeed it was unfortunate that PM had to make a statement on “attacks” on Christians.  A minor law and order problem that should be dealt by local police in its urgency and severity needed. In a nation of more than a billion the society must unflinchingly question brutal and unmentionable atrocities committed on traditionally marginalised sections on regular basis. Indeed it is ingrained, and the system that perpetuates these are acquiesced by these chestbeating-for-broken-windows scoundrel elite. These are some really hardened pretenders here. Christian community, particularly based in major cities, have international reach and clout, as also some well-established educational institutes and infrastructures under their control. This is what makes the Indian liberal pretending elites salivate, there is a huge brownie point moment here, to brush up their credentials and look good. Putting on Crude woman hat, one can even speculate that this exaggerated concern for minor incidents can be milked to get access to educational institutions that are termed as prestigious. I am told already some are demanding for quid pro quo…St. Xaviers, St. Stephens will have some easy entrants this years. Well sky is the limit when it comes to manipulations by Indian elites. 

Mother Theresa was very much enmeshed in Christian thoughts and seeked salvation through it. It is the greatness of the lady, as also egalitarian benevolent nature of Christianity, that she was able to reach the pinnacle of compassion. She could reach the most wasted, diseased and ailing souls in grotesquest of reality that could terrify many. Undeniably it is the strength she sustained from her faith. It is that power of faith that gave her the compassion in a situation that will make most people shirk in disgust. Clearly if she wants to transfer this faith that sustained her and made her into this rare beautiful individual then if it is conversion so be it. In the context, it is the best human experience that is transacting, it is something that should be cherished.  Further, if I am the wasted diseased soul lying on the street and if someone extends, where nobody could, then I would like to convert to that persons worldview, it is more than indebtness it is glimpsing something rare that I would like to be part of, even in my dying moment. If that is conversion let it be.

Mother Theresa was a rare individual (of course everyone has blemishes) and an amazingly beautiful human being. She made people aware of the compassion that individuals are possible of. For that humanity is indebted to Christianity. And yes for that if you want to convert to Christianity please do.

A disclosure: this blogger was hugged and kissed by Mother Theresa while I was in kinder garden. Second disclosure is that I don’t have anything against religions but yes don’t give damn about it. It’s too demented and twisted, a waste of time, as much as atheism is.