Christianity in Vizag

It is amazing how many churches you see in Vizag these days.

They have sprouted everywhere and come in all shapes and sizes. Most of them don't look like cathedrals, they look like 2-3 storied residential buildings, but bear prominent signs declaring their religious affiliation. You can hardly go down a major street without seeing one of them. It is quite possible there are more churches than temples in Vizag! And I'm reasonably sure they weren't there just a few years ago.

Christian slogans also seem to have found popularity with auto drivers: conversion slogans are widespread on autos and cars. In many Hindu families, you hear stories of family members who have converted to Christianity. Christian families prominently display Christian symbols and worship photos of Jesus. Many of these families have discovered newfound riches in the colossal sums of money that flow in illegally from foreign countries to fund conversion work. Some of this money is added to the recipients' coffer. The rest is used to distribute Christian calendars and anti-Hindu literature. Some of my relatives are among those at the receiving end of the onslaught, several times a year. One bible in Telugu, received during such a visit, teaches that all people who worship at images (like Hindus) are dogs.

The Catholics, when they came, tried to be organic and help society. The current batch of proselytizers are aggressive and seem to cause trouble everywhere they go. I am amazed at the sheer intensity of the conversion drive, and wonder whether it has anything to do with Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy's ascension. Thankfully RSS-type Hindu fundamentalism hasn't taken hold here, so Vizag isn't burning -- yet. But if the proselytizers keep digging, I wonder how long peace will last.