Some Facts About Christianity in India and Beyond

1. Do Christians have a holy city? 

Ans: No. Christians have no holy city. Muslims may consider Mecca a holy city, but Christians have no such city. 

2. Do Christians have a sacred language?

Ans: No. Hindus have Sanskrit and Muslims have Arabic but Christians have no such language. Jesus spoke Aramaic, but the New Testament was written common Greek. Bible is translated in different languages. There is no language that is more special than other languages. 

3.  Do Christians have a particular way to name the children? 

Ans: No. Christians from Africa can have African names; while those from Japan will have Japanese name and so on. Muslims may carry "Mohammed" and other similar names to every culture Islam is planted, but Christians have no such theological reason to do so. 

4. Do Christians have some outward cultural signatures for others to identity?

Ans: Not really. For example, if you are a Sikh, you may cover your head or you may be unshaved. Or if you are a Muslim, you may keep a beard. Christians have no such cultural signatures with which others can identify. 

5. Do Christians have a particular food culture? 

Ans: Not really. A Muslim will refuse to eat pork; a pious Hindu will refuse to beef. Christians have no theological reason to refuse this or that. It is for the individual to choose. 

6. Then what is it to be a Christian? 

Ans: To follow Jesus as Lord and God. 

7. Do Christians pay money to the tribals to convert? 

Ans: Two questions: First, are you willing to shell out money to convert Bangladeshis/Bhutanese to your religion? Hmm...Well, if one is a "common man" one would rather save up money to buy a house or a car or go on a holiday than pay money to others to convert. Second, would you change your religion if you are offered money? Hmmm... I guess many might say no...but if the amount of money is extremely big or one's need is extremely urgent, then one might. But how much money would be required to make you change your religion? 

Now ask your self whether Christians have that much money to distribute to the people... Of course not. 

Conversion is about a person choosing to follow Jesus. Christians are exhorted to share this message, but using money to 'buy' people or forcefully converting people is absolute no no. 

7. But don't Christians help the poor tribals? 

Ans: Yes, that happens. Imagine a parent that has two kids. One is ill and the other is well. Would you give the same amount of care to the sick and the healthy? Or will the sick one get more attention? The poor members of any given society are like the sick child. Any society that refuses to care for its 'sick' members has some problem. Christians care for the poor because they are poor and they need help. 

If you also join in in serving the poor, that would be wonderful! 

8. Why do Christians propagate their religion? 

Ans: Jesus says he is the Lord of all, and there is no other person like him. Because he is the Lord of all, he invites all people to him. This is demonstrated by his resurrection from the dead; the only person who has ever conquered dead. This happens in human history. All other great religious figures are dead and gone. Jesus is risen from the dead. If Jesus is the Lord of all, then all those who worship someone else must stop doing that and begin to worship Jesus. Propagation of religion is just about telling people that Jesus is the only one Lord. Take it or leave it. That's about it.