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Baptists Target Hindus The Associated Press 10-21-99
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By JULIA
LIEBLICH
NEW YORK (AP)- The Southern Baptist Convention - the nation's largest Protestant
denomination - is urging its members to pray for the millions of Hindus ``lost in the
hopeless darkness of Hinduism.''
Some 30,000 booklets to be issued Monday in time for Divali, the major Hindu festival of
lights, calls for the conversion of those ``who worship gods which are not God.'' The
booklet says that Hindus have no concept of sin or personal responsibility.
The denomination previously published booklets soliciting prayers for Muslims and Jews,
offending leaders of those faiths.
The language in this publication is harsher, said Louis Moore, the book's editor. ``There
is a clearer definition that Hindus are lost,'' he said, adding: ``We're all lost without
Jesus Christ.''
Divali is a major festival, dedicated to Laksmi, goddess of prosperity and goodness.
Umaa Mysorekar, president of the Hindu Temple of Flushing in New York and
secretary-treasuer of the Council of Hindu Temples, said the timing of the publication is
insulting.
Mysorekar said the thinking contained in the guide is ``not only absurd but also ignorant.
I don't think Jesus himself would have said not to respect other religions.''
Hari Sharma, president of the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, said: ``Whoever publishes
such a book does a disservice to the society. People should understand one another's
religions, not go back into history when we were attacking one another.''
A guide to praying for Buddhists is also planned. |
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