Cross Encounters – 1

The bell rang when Murugan was about to sit for Pooja. It was that lady who comes every Sunday to the apartment to take the inmates to nearby church. He opened the door and welcomed her inside.

She could speak little English, just enough to invite the brown skins to her church.

Lady: Mr. Murugan, please come with me to church. Let us pray.

Murugan: Okay, I will. But, on one condition.

Lady: What?

Muruagn: See, I was about to offer prayers to our Gods. Why don’t you join me in my prayers? If you join me, I would be glad to join in your prayers too.

Terrified lady refused to sit with Muruagn to offer the prayers and left the place immediately. She never pressed the door bell of Murugan’s home.

Missionaries invading your homes in Korea are not uncommon. Rate of cross plantation is high in Korea and it is no surprise if you encounter missionaries on the streets, bus/train stations, at universities and at your door.

The difference between Murugan and the lady is obvious. In Murugan you see a typical Hindu attitude of accepting the invitation to join the prayers. However, the lady did not reciprocate his invitation. Murugan has respects towards other faith, but the lady has no respect at all towards his. It is no surprise given the fact that she subscribes to an exclusive religion, that is, Christianity.

Yes, it is like an exclusive club membership and there is only ONE club. You can be a member ONLY to that club and none else!

Well, the problem is not mainly about exclusivity. It is intolerance towards other faiths which is not acceptable. Missionaries firmly believe non-christians will go to hell and hence it is their job to rescue them. Missionaries believe that non-christians can be rescued by convering them to Christianity. They make use of every opportunity to save non-christians even if it is during tsunami and earthquake. But, they are not to be seen during Katrina hurricane relief activities because people out there are already Christians!