The editorial with the above caption (Light of Truth October16-31/2016) is really thought provoking. The Catholic thinker is a member of the Church who is sent as labourer to the world –Caesar’s world. It further says that Caesar’s world in India is a rich land of thought and religiosity. And that nothing is done to understand Christian Faith when viewed by Hindus through Hindu thought and religiosity.

There exists a thought or understanding among the Hindus that each country has its own religion or forms of religion, Hinduism is the religion of the people of India and Christianity is the religion of the West. When the Hindu religion with all its philosophy is self sufficient, there is no need for another set of dogmas and philosophy. This way of thought renders it difficult to delve deep to find out similarity or complementarity among the Christian and Hindu concept of divinity and all related faith. The all inclusive faith of Hinduism is most unacceptable to Christianity. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Vivekananda, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, some of the Hindu intellectuals/authorities in Hinduism have expressed their view on Christianity. Ramakrishna for example, believed that Jesus was an incarnation of God, but he said such divine appearances were needed for the salvation of souls. Though he believed Jesus was divine incarnation, he continued to be devoted to Kali and other gods. From among Christians also such intellectuals might have contributed their valuable thoughts and findings. The late Fr Raimond Panikar who was interested in intra religious dialogues have written few books relating to Hindu -Christian philosophy. In his book “The unknown Christ in Hinduism” he wrote that a “Christian is faced with an alternative – either he will bring his conception of Christ to other peoples and religions or he will have to recognize the Unknown dimension of Christ, striving for mutual fecundation which is an act of love.”

The editorial suggests that Catholic philosophy must be both secular and religious and that Catholic thinkers are free to develop an open philosophy that finds an expression in pluralism of methods and schools. It is not clear how far we can go, when Jesus clearly stated that He is the way, the truth and the life. We believe that the word of God is true, immutable and eternal. Jesus said that “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He said He would come to judge the living and the dead and indicated how He would separate good from evil. We confess one holy Catholic and apostolic Church –which goes against the faith that all religions are equal and there is no need for propagating one religion. Can these divine instructions and sayings be ignored for the purpose of establishing a different ethos including pluralism? A Hindu takes Christ as a good man with all good ideas. So for them there is no problem in going to church or in praying there. Can we go to temple with such thoughts and a faith in pluralism? Theologians of high stature may be able to answer, as there is likelihood of confusion in the minds of the young.

K. C. Thomas
Navi Mumbai-400614