Rev. Dr. Chellaian
Lawrence, Theological College of Lanka,
Pilimatalawa,
Sri Lanka.
E-mail:
chellaian_lawrence@tclsl.org
Abstract
Conversion verses Communalism:
A Challenge to Mission in Sri
Lanka
Although the recent government proposal to bring in an Anti-Conversion
Legislation to ban “unethical conversions” in Sri Lanka had become null and void
with the dissolution of the Parliament, the issues raised continue to be matters
of concern for the Mission of the church and communal harmony. One may wonder:
What is “ethical conversion”? What is “unethical conversion”? The real issue
however is not conversion but communalism.
The fact that several Christian churches and worship places have become the
specific targets of attacks in recent months (since November 2003) sharpens the
issues involved. Even though Christianity is made to appear as the causative
factor for the attacks on its sanctuaries, the real reason lies in the fact that
politics has hijacked religion and that the unholy alliance between politics and
religion continues to serve the ulterior motive of communal politicians. This
however is not an overnight development. The Christian-Buddhist confrontations
including “the Great Debate” (Panadura, 1873) of the colonial period, and the
post independent “Sinhala only” attitude substantiate this factor. Equally
significant is the contribution of the founders of the Theosophical Society to
the perpetuation of communalism in Sri Lanka. These issues need to be explored.
Sri Lankan Christianity has made a significant contribution to
Christian-Buddhist dialogue relations. This tradition needs to be strengthened
in order that in and through interfaith dialogue in and for community genuine
conversion for the sake of community may happen, and the perpetuation of
tribalistic communalism may be eradicated.
The concern for genuine community should become the focal point of Christian
Mission. Enormous religious resources are available for concretizing this. For
example, the Buddhist tradition prioritizes this by saying “Victory breeds
hatred. The defeated live in pain. Happily the peaceful live, giving up victory
and defeat" ”(Dhammapada 201). Let this concern give a healing touch to Sri
Lanka, a nation plagued by the ethnic divide.