The peaceful co-existence of religions in Sri Lanka is threatened by un-ethical conversions conducted by a few Christian religious missionaries and Christian faith based organizations. These missionaries and organizations try to un-ethically convert people from different faiths to Christianity by addressing humanitarian issues of vulnerablecommunities. Misusing religious freedom of the country for the purpose of un-ethical conversions is a root-cause for religious tensions.
Religious Freedom in the Country
Sri Lanka is a multi-religious country that tolerates religious freedom to a great extent. There are holy places in Sri Lanka, such as Sri Pada and Katharagama that is worshipped by devotees of all faiths regardless of religious affiliation. Rich historical religious heritages (temples, kovils, churches and mosques) of the country are visited and enjoyed by all Sri Lankans for there cultural value. Sri Lankans enjoy actively participating and celebrating religious festivals of different faiths.
Religious Conversions by Addressing Humanitarian Issues
Few Christian faith based organizations and missionaries trying to exploit religious freedom in the County has developed tensions among different religious groups. The targets for un-ethical conversions are most poor and vulnerable Buddhists and Hindus. First they identify most vulnerable families and approach them to give a helping hand. Support extended include, employment, education, food, clothing, shelter and homes for children. Meanwhile, the families are also inducted to concepts of Christianity. The families or the person who receives such service become indebted to the service provider. They don’t have material wealth to show their gratitude. As a result they change the faith. Is this ethical?
Few Cases
Selvi is a bright girl from Hambantota. She is a Hindu from birth. She was very keen in continuing her education. Yet her single parent mother, who is a mental patient and doesnt have any means of income was not in a position to afford. Then a community worker introduced her to a boarding school (Convent) in Galle where she could obtain a free education and boarding facilities. But as part of the admission criteria she was asked to change her religion to Christianity.
Agape is an Institution for destitute children. It is located in Tissamaharama. The institution maintains good standards. The issue with this institution is that there are many Buddhist children who are forced to practice Christianity. Parents of these children do not like it but they don’t have a say. The children are institutionalised through the Probation Department as the parents are extremely poor and according to the Probations Officer, the parents are not able to properly provide for the children.
In Tissamaharama, there is a family of 9 children living in a small shack. Mother (Rukmani) has got severley burnt in mid 2000 and she is still suffering from burn injuries. Father earns a living by begging. It is the poorest family in that poor community. The family has been converted to Christianity by World Vision after providing material support.
Government Laws and Policies to Encourage Religious Freedom
Religious freedom in Sri Lanka is enshrined in Article 10 and 14 of the Constitution. Article 10 says, "Every person is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice." Article 14(1)(e) gives a citizen "the right either by himself or in association with others, and either in public or in private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice or teaching."
Establishing a Ministry of Religious Affairs and Moral Upliftment to look into matters of religious freedom; Encouraging teaching all religions in government schools; Declaring religious festival days as public holidays are ways government had supported in protecting religious freedom in the country.
Biased International Reporting on Religious Freedom
It is a shame that even the USDS report on International Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka- 2009 has reported the situation in Sri Lanka in an extremely biased way. Why haven’t the human rights researchers who have worked on this report un-biasely reported aggressive proselytism that is occurring in the country?
Anti-Conversion Legislation is a Necessity to Protect Religious Freedom and Inter-Religious Harmony
Anti-conversion legislation is extremely important for the country to address un-ethical conversions. "Anti-conversion" legislation was introduced to the parliament by Jathika Hela Urumaya Party (JHU) in 2004. The proposed bill has gone through various phases of revisions and reviews by special parliamentary committee, yet it has not yet been passed by the Parliament. The JHU is looking forward to present the bill to Parliament again this year. Hope the Anti-Conversion Legislation will be passed by Parliament this year to protect from un-ethical religious conversion and to promote religious harmony in the country.
Note- For the sake of confidentiality of identity I have used forged names for individual cases.
Reference:
GOSL. 1978. Constitution of Sri Lanka
Wikipedia. Religious Conversions (retrieved on 6th February 2010)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_conversion
GOSL. 2010. Ministry of Religious Affairs and Moral Upliftment. (Retrived on 8th February 2010)
http://www.priu.gov.lk/Ministries_2007/Min_religious_aff_and_moral_upliftment.html#Departments%20and%20Statutory%20Institutions
United States Department of State, 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom - Sri Lanka, 26 October 2009, [Retrieved on 6 February 2010] Available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4ae8610869.html
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