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A Historical Study of Influence of Christianity on Indian and Australian Societies

KrishiKosh

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Title A Historical Study of Influence of Christianity on Indian and Australian Societies
 
Creator Rathore, Ashok
 
Contributor Sahu, Dhirendra Kumar
 
Subject Christianity, Indian religion, castes, faith
 
Description A Thesis titled “A Historical Study of Influence of Christianity on Indian and Australian Societies” was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Theology) in History of Christianity by Ashok Rathore.
The present study entitled “A Historical Study of Influence of Christianity on Indian and
Australian Societies” compares influence of Christianity on Australian Aboriginal
traditional Dreamtime belief and Hinduism (Sanatan Dharm), Indian religion. Christianity
arose out of Judaism with the belief that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the prophetic
predictions of the Hebrew Bible as the Christ. It is a Greek term which translates the
Hebrew Mashi'ah (the annointed; figuratively, savior, Messiah).
Religion is belief in God's existence, relationship involves knowing God. Different
religious and cultural groups express their dominant views on the basis of their respective
worldviews. In Australia prior to European invasion of 227 years ago, Indigenous
Australians were the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands.
In order to assimilate the natives into European culture children born of aboriginal parents
were taken away from parents and were placed in the Mission Compound. Because of this
deliberate conversion over 75% aboriginal accepted Christianity. Recently their
descendants converted to Christianity are now seeking their ancestry (genealogy). Due to
proselytization to Christianity, majority of Aborigines in Australia have lost faith in
European culture as well as in Church.
Though the Christian faith came to India in 52 AD, Christian population remained almost
stagnant at 2.3 %? Whereas it arrived in Australia only 227 years ago and 0ver 70%
Aborigines accepted Christianity. Religion affects our society in many ways because it
affects our way of thinking. It affects the way people look at issues in the nation and the
way people vote. Religious differences help shape social diversity. Religion has immense
influence ancient as well as modern Indian society. Religion in India has always played a
big role in every aspect of life, from common-place daily chores to education and politics.
Secular India is home to Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and
other countless religious traditions. Hinduism is the leading faith, practiced by nearly 80
per cent of the population. Besides Hindus, Muslims and Christians are an integral part of
Indian society.
The researcher was brought up in a Rajputi Arya Samaj family, studied in a missionary
school “Sacred Heart High School” in Mhow Madhya Pradesh, India-1945 onward.
Subsequently studied and worked in America, Australia and the Philippines, and
interacted with people of various faiths and religions: Jews, Christians, Muslims,
Mormons, Jehovah’s Witness (JWS), Free Masons, Buddhists, Unitarian, atheists and
numerous other cults & movements. Being a skeptic “doubting Thomas” the author
always asked this question - where and why do we differ and have different religions,
faiths and do we converge?
With this background the researcher undertakes the present study entitled “A Historical
Study of Influence of Christianity on Indian and Australian Societies” comparing
influence of Christianity on two countries; Australian Aboriginal traditional Dreamtime
belief and Hinduism (Sanatan Dharm), religion of Hindus in India. While working in
SHIATS from 2006 to date, the researcher was inspired to undertake the present study.
The author often pondered and queried “Why is Yeshu-Darbar-Royal Court of Christ, led
by Founder Vice Chancellor Most Rev. R. B. Lal has been so popular attracting people
from various castes, denominations and classes including Jews, Muslims, and Hinduseven
from reputed higher caste families and Buddhists.
Christianity came to India in 53 AD. But why the Christian population did not exceed and
remained stagnant at 2.3 % in India? Whereas Christianity arrived in Australia 227 years
ago with the arrival of the First Fleet “Endeavour” in 1788 from Britain. 70% Aborigines
were converted to Christianity by missionaries. Currently Australia’s population is 23
million, of whom 70% are Christians. With so many ideologies, cultures, languages, cults
and faiths world-wide why there is so much diversity between and within diverse
religions and religious practices in both continents: India and Australia? Where and how
various religions converge? Will it be possible to settle for one true and universal
religion/faith//way of life to avoid conflicts and arguments in the name of religions?
Limitation of the Study
The Questionnaire survey (purposive) was conducted in three states of India and three
states in Australia due to limited resources, and familiarity of the researcher of these
states to assess respondent’s perception of influence of Christianity in Australia and India.
Objectives of the study
 To assess history and influence of Christianity on modern Indian and Australian
Societies
 To assess perceptions of Christianity by believers of other faiths on the basis of
the data collated in Australia and India with critical statistical evaluation of
survey-questionnaire by applying scientific analysis and statistical evaluation of
data.
 
Date 2016-12-16T11:00:51Z
2016-12-16T11:00:51Z
2016
 
Type Thesis
 
Identifier http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/90484
 
Language en
 
Format application/octet-stream
 
Publisher Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences (SHIATS)