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Christianity Quote by Virchand Gandhi

“Christian missions to India imply that India is a land of heathens, and, therefore, stands on the same level with the Andaman or the Fiji Islands. That a country which has been recognised in all ages the world over as the mother of all religions and the cradle of civilisation should be considered…” quote by Virchand Gandhi
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““Christian missions to India imply that India is a land of heathens, and, therefore, stands on the same level with the Andaman or the Fiji Islands. That a country which has been recognised in all ages the world over as the mother of all religions and the cradle of civilisation should be considered as pagan, shows how much ignorance prevails in Christendom. Since the Parliament of Religions, I have been studying Christian institutions, and I have also studied the way in which the Christian ministers and the missionaries are manufactured in this country, and have learned to pity them. We must not blame them too severely, because their education is too narrow to make them broad-minded. I grant that they are good-hearted, that they are good husbands and often fathers of large families, but generally they are very ignorant, especially of the history of civilisation and of the philosophy of religion of India. Most of them do not even know the history of ancient India. We know that in this age of competition, centralisation, and monopoly, very many people are forced out of business. The English say, 'The fool of the family goes into the Church'; so that when a youth is unable to make a living, he takes to missionary work, goes to India, and helps to introduce among the Hindus the doctrines of his church, which have long since been exploded by science.””

Virchand Gandhi

About This Quote

Source Speech: Parliament of Religions, 1893

The author critiques Christian missionaries in India as ignorant of Indian civilization and history, despite good intentions.

In simple terms: Missionaries lack knowledge of Indian culture.

Key Takeaway

Promote cultural education for missionaries.

Themes

religion colonialism ignorance intercultural dialogue

Mood

concerned hopeful

Type

analytical advocacy

When to use this quote

  • missionary training
  • interfaith programs
  • curriculum development
  • public outreach

Key Concepts

missionary work historical awareness educational reform

Questions to Reflect On

  • What steps can improve missionary cultural competence?
  • How can societies address religious ignorance?
A Different Perspective

Changing deep-seated biases is challenging.

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