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THE ANALYSIS OF MASS MOVEMENTS IN INDIA
I.
Introduction
Mass conversion to Christianity is
happening among both Roman Catholics and Protestants. The effectiveness of
“mass conversion” must be a matter of serious concern for every church planter.
A study done in 1928 by a team on mass movement is the major background for
this article. That study was the first critical survey of mass movements in
India. It was financially supported by the Institute of Social and Religious Research,
New York in association with the National Christian Council of India. At the
onset, a few definitions are given so that the terms are rightly understood in
the context.
Mass-Movement is said to happen when a
group (not necessarily everyone, but more than a family) is accustomed to
exercise social and religious authority over the life of individuals that
compose the group. It happens not just in Christianity, but also in Hinduism.
Caste- It is not easy to define. Though it can be divided into four types, in
practice it is more than hundreds. It is more than the ancestral occupation.
For example, some Brahmin serves, and also some Sudras become warriors and
kings. Outcast does not mean ostracized. It means untouchable by higher caste
such as by a Brahmin. When somebody is ostracized based on defying caste, he is
as good as dead. He can either take refuge in the lower caste or just be lost.
A person cannot exist outside the group (caste) in a normal village
environment.
Now the below discussion has been
divided under various headings to trace from its inception and also to
highlight the strength and weakness to serve as a guiding policy for future
Church planting.
II.
How these
Churches came into existence?
One person will be saved and on account
of this person after a few months or a year, or a good amount of group will be
converted. This is how Churches were founded. Such type of phenomenon can be
noted with the Chuhras caste in Punjab, Karens in Burma, Gonda caste in Patna,
Mehras in Bastar, Mala caste in Raghavapuram, Gara caste in Orissa, Uraons
& Mundas in Chhota Nagpur, and the Chamars in Ghaziabad (The founders of
the Indian Church by Dr. Donald A. McGavran). The powerful Christian testimony
of the particular individual was the magnet that attracted others also to the
Gospel.
III.
Social and
Economic Background of the Converts
·
Social
The
survey documents reveal that the mass converts are low caste people. They are
poor, illiterate, and exploited by the higher caste people. They face
untouchability, restriction of trading rights, service deprivations, difficulty
in getting drinking water, discrimination in schools, and were enforcing
themselves an attitude of inferiority. Initially, they faced lots of
persecution for their conversion. This would also cause a few people to turn
back to Hinduism.
·
Economic
Mass-movement seems to happen only among poor
people. However, the survey documents show that a few well-to-do people are
influenced after seeing the lifestyle of these converted people. The survey
reveals the following pattern of the people. Caste places
restrictions against acquiring wealth and so they
were very poor. The sources of income of these people are like labor
work in fields in villages, coolie, labor in town and cities, owning
agricultural lands, cattle, goats, and poultry. People also emigrating from villages for better
opportunities like sweepers, servants in hotels, domestic services, stone
cutters, clerks, chowkidars,(a few teachers, doctor, nurse). They are in heavy debts and sometimes forced to do
labor, work without pay. They struggle with the very
basic need for food and also an average person has one or two meals
per day.
IV.
Strengths of
the influence of Mass conversion on the converts
The survey paints a good picture
regarding mass-movement conversion for the following reasons.
·
Social
They
have stopped responding to karma as they worship the “true God”. They have a
desire to share the blessings with others. Social status has improved due to
personal cleanness and education.
·
Economic
Mission
agencies were willing to support the converts. They came forward to help
depressed people through health service and better housing. The new lifestyle
reduced wasteful expenditure and their education enabled better employment and
more money.
·
Spiritual
In
the church, believers were growing spiritually by practicing and memorizing
creedal knowledge. The believers gave importance to Sunday for attending the
church. The Church was very strict concerning family and marriage.
·
Witnessing
After
getting converted evil practices were cut down in villages like gambling,
eating dead meat, sorcery practices. Changes that took place, in honesty and
changes of the temperament of convert are worth noting. New practices took over
like– worshiping God, singing hymns, and church service. These allowed them to
witness the Gospel. People of the villages noticed that changes in them. Thus
they could witness through their good behavior as noted down earlier.
·
Schools
The
initiative to start schools was a great blessing. The motives were to equip
them to read the Bible, to train the next generation, and for the abatement of
social oppression and poverty. Mass movements lead to the common idea of
planting the Church and Schools. They were able to get a good education which
led to their socio-economic growth.
V.
Weaknesses of
the influence of Mass conversion on the converts
·
Social
The
woman started taking the lead in certain settings even in Churches. The issue
of child marriage still persisted. Westernization was adopted.
·
Economic
Imitational
expenses were high.
·
Spiritual
Indiscipline
was observed in Church services in the form of interruptions and distractions.
Practicing Idolatry and the use of charms still continued among some. Church
administration was in Chaos. Less instruction before baptism, baptism was given
in the mass/mela, and also systematic teaching/discipleship was lacking after
the mass conversion. Poverty in the initial days caused them to depend on the
missionary agencies to support. Church Discipline was not firmly practiced and
also the Pastor showed partiality in certain cases. Pastoral care also lacked
leading to stunted Christian growth. This could be the main reason why the
Sudra community mass converts engaged in remarriage and other vile things even
though once they were boldly proclaiming Jesus Christ.
·
Schools
The
focus changed from evangelizing to the development of the community and the
missionaries were heavily burdened. The literacy program was not also very
successful.
VI.
What do we
learn from Mass movements?
We live in a time where people criticize
mass conversion movements. They criticize the motives underlying Mass-movement
conversion. Some believe that it is a heresy and is entirely secular and most
of them– unworthy. Some became Christian for materialistic gain. Mass-movement
is not a missionary method. We cannot practice or create it. There are lots of
incidents telling us to be very cautious about it. However, multitudes are
coming to know the Truth as they bring along with their relatives and neighbors.
Moreover, in Indian villages, the caste group is the chief center of influence
for effective witnesses.
VII.
Conclusion
We must be thankful that the mass conversions took place
according to the sovereign will of God. However, as enlightened by the survey
results we should not be satisfied at this point. If so, all our suspicion
(nominal Christian, westernization, heresy, self-righteousness) would become
true. We should be doing more. We should disciple the converted souls. They
should be equipped with the sound doctrine for a strong conviction. The mass
movement lacked proper Church administration. So it is highly mandated that
this movement needs more pastoral care, fellowship and must be organized under
proper leadership.
