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January 15, 2000

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'We are particularly alarmed at the insensitivity displayed towards one of the oldest religions in the world'

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The letter US Congressmen sent the Southern Baptists.

Dear Dr Chapman:

We were disheartened to learn that the Southern Baptists had published a pamphlet recently regarding prayer for Hindus that uses overly aggressive and insensitive language. We are particularly alarmed at the level of insensitivity displayed towards members of one of the oldest religions in the world.

We do not take issue with your right to pray for whom and whatever you choose. However, we believe that the manner in which you have chosen to do this, in regards to Hinduism, goes beyond the bounds of decorum, tact, respect and understanding.

In your recent pamphlet, you say that "Mumbai is a city of spiritual darkness...(Hindus are) slaves bound by fear...to false gods." We cannot understand how men and women, raised and educated in the world's bastion of religious freedom and tolerance, can characterize another religion as spiritually dark and false. The lack of respect that this statement shows for the basic rights of an individual to believe in whatever faith they choose is perhaps the most disturbing.

India has been one of the great bulwarks in her commitment to secularism and the belief that all men and women have a right to believe in their own faith. To be sure, India has had secularist problems; however, there has never been a question of India backing down from that commitment. Hinduism has lasted for thousands of years and espouses a fundamental respect for all creeds and ways of life.

Your pamphlet has demonstrated a lack of understanding of these facts and a lack of understanding of the right of every individual to pursue their religious beliefs. We would respectfully request that you end the use of this pamphlet. Please understand that we do not oppose your organization's efforts to educate non-Baptists to your views, however, we would hope that in the future you adopt a more tolerant and enlightened method.

India, as Hinduism's birthplace, is a wonderful, diverse land that prides itself on a long tradition of freedom for all faiths and worldviews, including Christianity (in fact, the oldest Christian mission worldwide is in India).

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and to discuss the great contributions of India and Indian culture to our global community.

Sincerely,

Jim McDermott, Member of Congress

Gary Ackerman, Member of Congress

Frank Pallone Jr, Member of Congress

Henry Waxman, Member of Congress

Merrill Cook, Member of Congress

Alcee Hastings, Member of Congress

Previous: Anti-Hinduism Booklet: Southern Baptists Declare War on 7 Congressmen

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