QUESTION: India’s top court has called forced and deceitful conversions “a serious matter” and soght assistance from the federal government’s top law officer in seeking steps to stop them. Why such fuss about conversion?

ANSWER: Abp Leo Cornelio, Bhopal

Conversions must be checked post factum. But what happens is that there is a stipulated rule that conversion cannot be done without prior permission. But then, some may retract due to various reasons. Then they complain very often of things being antagonistic. That becomes big news and allegations follow. Let there be checking after conversion, not before. Why before conversion? Be-cause any citizen has the freedom to opt for any religion he or she prefers. Moreover, of-ten the government officials may be persons who have no interest in any religion or are antagonistic towards a particular religion. Why should such persons dictate religious matters? As Christians, we do not believe in forced conversions. After all, it is God who converts. No man should interfere with the conscience of another. We want to be clear about conversion: We are not for conversion for money or other allurements. People must be free to choose their religion; there should be no external interference either from governments or from religions.