Christians in India
Jenna Asper, Mackenzie Bontrager, Allison Chriss, Maddie Wait
Introduction
Population Description
Approximately 2.38 billion people practice some form of Christianity globally (World Population Review, 2021). However, according to the Word Atlas (2021), only approximately 2.3% of the total population in India adhere to Christian beliefs. Even though Christians are one-third of the world’s total population (World Population Review, 2021), Christians constitute the second largest minority in India next to Islam, with the majority of India being Hindu. Christianity is a monotheistic religion (World Atlas, 2021). God as an entity is considered to be made up of three components: the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit.
Brief History about christianity in India
Due to the lack of documented evidence, the origin of Christianity in India has been a controversy among historians. Traditionally, the roots of Christianity in India are commonly traced to the early Apostles. Many believe that the beginning of Christianity in India can be traced back to St. Thomas, the disciple of Jesus Christ, who is thought to have come to India in AD 52 (Frykenberg, 2008; International School of Evangelism, 2013; Philip, 1998). After St. Thomas died, there is little documented evidence of Christianity in India because there were no recognized leaders of the Church. The Middle Ages (800-1500) brought persecution and isolation to the Christians in India because the rise of Islam (International School of Evangelism, 2013).
In the 16th century, the Jesuit, St. Francis Xavier, was a prominent missionary who laid the foundation of the Roman Catholic Church in India. Not long after Catholic missionaries migrated to India, Protestant missionaries started migrating to India in the early 18th century (International School of Evangelism, 2013).
The process of gaining independence from Great Britain in 1947 was difficult for the nation as a whole and for Christians especially. Western missionaries eventually withdrew from India. Within ten years of independence, there were few foreign missionaries remaining in India (International School of Evangelism, 2013). The Indian Church was faced with standing on its own without the support of its former Western influences. Denominations and large ministries were left in the hands of Indian national leaders. The difficult years the Church encountered allowed it to prosper by becoming authentic in its organizational structure and worship forms.
Map of India
"I will break your leg" - A radical Hindu confronts Christians on the street at night
Open Doors, 2021
"I will cut your throat" - A radical Hindu threatens a woman’s life
Open Doors, 2021
Important terms
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Christianity - A major religion stemming from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus of Nazareth (the Christ, or the Anointed One of God) in the 1st century CE (Stefon, 2020).
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Caste - One of the hereditary social classes in Hinduism that is a division of society based on differences of wealth, inherited rank or privilege, profession, occupation, or race (Merriam Webster, n.d.).
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Hinduism - ​​The dominant religion of India that emphasizes dharma with its resulting ritual and social observances and often mystical contemplation and ascetic practices (Merriam Webster, n.d.).
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Slum - "A contiguous settlement where the inhabitants are characterized as having inadequate housing and basic services. A slum is often not recognized and addressed by the public authorities as an integral or equal part of the city" (UN-HABITAT Urban Secretariat and Shelter Branch, 2002).
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Karma - The universal causal law by which good or bad actions determine the future modes of an individual’s existence (Olivelle, 2014).
India vs. United States
The United States is home to the largest population of Christians as compared to Christianity being the second-largest minority in India (World Population Review, 2021). Making up 71% of the population, Christianity is the dominant religion in the United States, and only 0.7% of the United States population practice Hinduism (Pew Research Center, 2021).
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Another difference between the two nations is the separation of church and state within their government policies and leaders. The first amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. It prohibits Congress from encouraging one religion and limiting an individual’s religious practices (Legal Information Institute, 1992). In India, there is little to no separation between church and politics. Since a majority of the population practices Hinduism, they control most of the government and elections. The party elected in 2019 was the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a very Hinduist group (Pew Research Center, 2021). Multiple articles show leaders in government supporting the oppression of Christians.