According to reports, the dialogue was helpful and Hindu monks gave real-life examples of how some missionaries dress up in shades of orange and create an ambience of "puja" with flowers and incense to gain acceptance by Hindus only to replace the statue of Shiva with Jesus. In the end, although the participants didn't agree even on a definition of what constituted "conversion", their recommendations included a need to respect all faiths. "All should heal themselves from the obsession of converting others. Freedom of religion enjoins upon all of us the equally non-negotiable responsibility never to denigrate, vilify or misrepresent (other faiths) for the purpose of affirming superiority of our faith."
Monsignor Felix Machado, a senior Vatican official and an organiser who happens to be from India, has said that aggressive tactics by some Christian organisations end up giving all Christians a bad name. John Allen, one of the most respected Vatican correspondents, said, "The question of proselytisation is extraordinarily controversial. I think the Pope is well aware of the sensitivities but he wants to have a clear dialogue with other faiths for a good neighbourly policy. That is his strength." Proselytism is tied to what is emerging as "the defining issue" for the Pope—religious freedom. It comes up often in the Vatican's dealings with Muslim countries, most of which prohibit practice of other religions. If the Vatican is developing a code of conduct, the Pope wants governments to do their bit to ensure freedom of religion.
A sampling of the Pope's speeches shows he is forcing the issue, throwing political correctness to the winds. There is reportedly a growing sense among Vatican officials that the church has been "too soft" in staking out philosophical territory in an age of religious extremism. The Pope's begun stressing "reciprocity"—Christians must enjoy the same rights in non-Christian countries that Muslims and others have in the West. He is equally blunt on the issue of terrorism, calling it a form of "moral perversion" while condemning the extremists' tendency to "hide behind religion" and in the process sowing the seeds of a clash of civilisations.
Interestingly, the Sangh parivar has picked up the signal. Reacting to the Pope's message last week, vhp president Ashok Singhal offered to join forces with the church to fight the jehadis.
