Why didnt christianity stick in India during the 1500-1700 period? Lack of parallel in religions..what r they?

Question

I'm doing a research paper on the lack of parallel between christianity and hinduism during the 1500-1700 (Europeans Abroad). What were some major reasons (differences) in the two religions as well as rituals and other influences (like a stronger clergy made it harder to break through) that made conversion to Christianity harder for the missionaries (as well as other people). Any recommended books that I can research on about this? What was it about the society, religion, era, politics, hinduism, etc., that made it difficult for christianity to become so big in India. Any formats on how I should write this paper as well as your feedback to these questions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Answer 1

Hinduism doesn't have a specific tradition the way Christianity does.
Hinduisum: reincarnation, pantheistic/polytheistic, no specific founder.
Brahman is a polytheistic idea of Hinduism. This doesn't align with Christianity's omnipotent God.
Caste system came from the Parusha myth, in the Vedas. This became part of Indian culture. Western idea of equality didn't agree with this. Christianity believes in equality for all.]
My textbook for History of Religions has more "Introduction to World Religions" - Christopher Partridge

Answer 2

Indians from the very young to the very old, from the lowest caste to the highest caste of that time.... were already taught to think, analyse and question. Christianity is based solely on believe or you die system will not really bode well in such a society.... the same reason why missionaries in pre-communism China couldnt get the faith to stick there as well... nor in Thailand, Burma or Cambodia.

p/s: maybe try to research on the Sociological aspect of the Indian Communities and Mindset of the 1500s and tie that into your paper to have a more in depth understanding of the issue, from a different point of view and focus

Answer 3

Well, there was the Mughal rule in India, I know Aurangezeb was especially harsh to those who did not follow Islam, so that could have been impetus for many who were Christian to convert to Islam.

You'd be surprised how many parallels there are between the two faiths, Hinduism and Christianity:

-Belief in one Supreme Being
-Trimurti/Trinity
-Miraculous birth of Jesus/Sri Krishna
-A general focus on the childhood and adulthood of the two aforementioned religious figures
-etc. etc.

Of course the differences lie in practice: churches versus temples, sermons versus free prayer, no caste system versus caste system, etc. etc.

Answer 4

I think southern baptist convention, which is now called evangelicals. In Christianity, born again refers to a spiritual and metaphorical birth into the family of God with Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. This is contrasted with the first birth everyone experiences in the flesh (physical world). In the Bible, Jesus stated that only those who are born-again shall see Heaven: "Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again" (John 3:3). The term is frequently used by Evangelical, Fundamentalist, Pentecostal, and some Mainline branches of Protestant Christianity. It is sometimes associated with non-denominational individuals, groups and churches. Outside of Christianity, the term "born again" is occasionally used to describe beliefs characterised by renewal, resurgence or return. In recent history, born again is a term that has been associated with evangelical renewal since the late 1960s, first in the United States and then later around the world. Associated perhaps initially with Jesus People and the Christian counterculture, born again came to refer to an intense conversion experience, and was increasingly used as a term to identify devout believers. By the mid 1970s, born again Christians were increasingly referred to in the mainstream media as part of the Born Again Movement

Answer 5

Christianity is big in India now. The people are starving for information. Men are willing to go out as pastors even though they don't even have a Bible. I don't know what the hinderance was in the past, but it is no longer there.

Answer 6

My family is one of those indian familys that converted, my great grandfather did.

Not much to say about it. Ive never liked it though, it makes me feel odd when I am with indians & they ask me what I am thinking im either a hindu or a muslim.

But ive heard from other indians that missionaries used to give money to poor people to convert them which is absolute BS.

Answer 7

Idolatry and read about Buddism, there is one christian church inThailand and the rest are temples to Budda and its probably there for tourist.

Answer 8

oope?i don't know as i m very poor in history.