Role of educational institutions and hospitals in religious conversion

Christians in India have been known for establishing educational institutions and health care centres in India. The first half of 19th century saw various educational institutions being initiated to teach about reading, writing and arithmetic. The non-availability of medical care specially to the "outcaste" and the poorer section of the society in general prompted Christian mission agencies to established health care centres as well. These emphasis continue to be part of Christian contribution to nation building in India even today.

The later part of 19th and early 20th century saw large scale conversion of the "lower caste" communities as followers of Jesus Christ. Certain reasons as indicated, not in term of order though,  have been cited for such mass conversion. First, a desire for shelter from being oppressed by the "upper caste". Second, a desire to educated their children on reading, writing and arithmetic. Third, a conviction that Christian religion is the true. Fourth, influence of Christian relatives upon others. Fifth, witnessing the transformation of character and status of those who have become Christians. And of all these reasons, the issue of casteism emerged as the strongest reason for the conversion. In short, the search for improved social status, greater self-respect, liberation from oppressive caste system and a hope for fulfillment of religious and spiritual needs inspired those from "lower caste" towards this religious conversion to Christianity.

People simply do not changed religion with improvement in their material condition. There are other factors involved in the reasons for conversion. And educational institutions and health care facilities just served as the catalyst for people to cherish and value freedom and self-respect. Even today educational institutions and hospitals do not evangelise people though members of such institutions may be doing such activities on their own. The institutions that evangelize are rather different from these institutions. Educational institutions and hospitals were set up primarily to help people come from the tyranny of illiteracy and ill-health, and they remain so even today.But as people are emancipated from such oppression, they learnt to value freedom and dignity. And that is how these institutions serve as catalyst for conversion.

Article 25 of the Indian Constitution states that "all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion." Surely Dr. Ambedkar, father of the Indian Constitution, knew what this meant. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism with thousands of "lower caste" from Hinduism because he could not hope for a better future within the religion of his birth. Well, that was him. But even today people do convert from one religion to another. And as long as we have caste system in our practice; and as long as we have institutions that empower people there will be conversion. Christianity has also not been free from the practice of "caste system". In fact, Ambedkar rejected Christianity because he felt that it did not go all the way to erase such evil practice. Christians do struggle to reach the  biblical standard even today. But the Bible is clear: There is no longer Jew or Greek,  there is no longer slave nor free,  there is no male nor female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. ( Gal 3.28 RSV)