{ "book_metadata": { "book_name": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials", "book_author": "M. K. Kuriakose", "publisher": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge", "published_on": "2011" }, "chunks": [ { "chunk_index": 1, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 105 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00129-21a4119e223601d20b0d.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Roy Enters Missionary Controversy", "chunk_data": "80. RAJA RAMMOHUN ROY'S CRITICISM OF MISSIONARIES (1823 A.D.)\nFollowing publication of his Precepts of Jesus (c. 1820), Raja Rammohun Roy entered into controversy with missionaries like Joshua Marshman of Serampore.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Raja Rammohun Roy", "Joshua Marshman" ], "places": [ "Serampore" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy entered into controversy with Christian missionaries after publishing Precepts of Jesus.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Politics", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 2, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 105 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00129-21a4119e223601d20b0d.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Roy Publishes His Arguments", "chunk_data": "He started a magazine as a vehicle for expressing his side of this controversy.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Raja Rammohun Roy" ], "places": [ "Bengal" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy started a magazine to present his position in the controversy.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Print Culture", "Politics" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 3, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 105 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00129-21a4119e223601d20b0d.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Source of the Published Passage", "chunk_data": "The following passage is taken from this magazine and is found in his English Works, pp.145-147. Cited in William Theodore de Bary, Sources of Indian Tradition, pp. 578-580.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Raja Rammohun Roy", "William Theodore de Bary" ], "places": [ "Bengal" ], "event": "The passage was taken from Roy’s magazine and cited from his English Works and Sources of Indian Tradition.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Print Culture", "History" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 4, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 105 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00129-21a4119e223601d20b0d.webp" ], "chunk_title": "English Rule in Bengal", "chunk_data": "For a period of upwards of fifty years, this country (Bengal) has been in exclusive possession of the English nation, during the first thirty years of which from their word and deed it was universally believed that they would not interfere with the religion of their subjects, and that they truly wished every man to act in such matters according to the dictates of his own conscience. Their possessions in Hindoostan and their political strength have, through the grace of God, gradually increased.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Raja Rammohun Roy", "English rulers" ], "places": [ "Bengal", "Hindoostan" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy described the growth of English possession and political power in Bengal and Hindoostan.", "tags": [ "Politics", "Colonialism", "Religion" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 5, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 105 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00129-21a4119e223601d20b0d.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Missionaries Seek Conversions", "chunk_data": "But during the last twenty years, a body of English Gentlemen who are called missionaries have been publicly endeavouring, in several ways, to convert Hindoos and Mussulmans of this country into Christianity.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "English missionaries", "Hindoos", "Mussulmans" ], "places": [ "Bengal" ], "event": "English missionaries publicly attempted to convert Hindus and Muslims in Bengal to Christianity.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Missionaries", "Conversion" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 6, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 105 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00129-21a4119e223601d20b0d.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Roy Criticizes Missionary Methods", "chunk_data": "The first way is that of publishing and distributing among the natives various books, large and small, reviling both religions, and abusing and ridiculing the gods and saints of the former; the second way is that of standing in front of the doors of the natives or in the public roads to preach the excellency of that of others; the third way is that if any natives of low origin become Christians from the desire of gain or from any other motives, these gentlemen employ and maintain them as a necessary encouragement to others to follow their example.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "English missionaries", "Native converts" ], "places": [ "Bengal" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy accused missionaries of insulting local religions, preaching publicly, and supporting converts from disadvantaged backgrounds.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Missionaries", "Conversion" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 7, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 105 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00129-21a4119e223601d20b0d.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Apostles and Missionary Authority", "chunk_data": "It is true that the apostles of Jesus Christ used to preach the superiority of the Christian religion to the natives of different countries. But we must recollect that they were not the rulers of those countries where they preached. Were the missionaries likewise to preach the Gospel and distribute books in countries not conquered by the English, such as Turkey, Persia, &c. which are much nearer England, they would be esteemed a body of men truly zealous in propagating religion and in following the example of the founders of Christianity.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Apostles of Jesus Christ", "English missionaries" ], "places": [ "Turkey", "Persia", "England" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy distinguished the apostles’ preaching from missionary activity conducted under English political rule.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Missionaries", "Colonialism" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 8, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 105, 106 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00129-21a4119e223601d20b0d.webp", "raw\\pages\\00130-abd04b733f7456399ecb.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Missionary Conduct Under English Rule", "chunk_data": "In Bengal, where the English are the sole rulers, and where the mere name of Englishman is sufficient to frighten people, an encroachment upon the rights of her poor timid and humble inhabitants and upon their religion cannot be viewed in the eyes of God or the public as a justifiable act. For wise and good men always feel disinclined to hurt those that are of much less strength than themselves, and if such weak creatures be dependent on them and subject to their authority, they can never attempt, even in thought, to mortify their feelings.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Raja Rammohun Roy", "English rulers", "Bengal inhabitants" ], "places": [ "Bengal" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy argued that religious interference by English missionaries was unjust because Bengal’s inhabitants were subject to English authority.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Colonialism", "Justice" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 9, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 106 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00130-abd04b733f7456399ecb.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Causes of Indian Degradation", "chunk_data": "We have been subjected to such insults for about nine centuries, and the cause of such degradation has been our excess in civilization and abstinence from the slaughter even of animals, as well as our division into castes which has been the source of want of unity among us.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Raja Rammohun Roy", "Indians" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy attributed India’s long degradation to nonviolence, civilization, and caste divisions that weakened unity.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Society", "Caste" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 10, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 106 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00130-abd04b733f7456399ecb.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Conquerors Mock Subject Religions", "chunk_data": "It seems almost natural that when one nation succeeds in conquering another, the former, though their religion may be quite ridiculous, laugh at and despise the religion and manners of those that are fallen into their power. For example, Mussulmans, upon their conquest of India, proved highly inimical to the religious exercises of Hindoos. When the generals of Chungezkhan (Ghingis Khan), who denied God and were like wild beasts in their manners, invaded the western part of Hindoostan, they universally mocked at the profession of God and of futurity expressed to them by the natives of India. The savages of Arracan on their invasion of the eastern part of Bengal always attempted to degrade the religion of Hindoos. In ancient days the Greeks and the Romans, who were gross idolaters and immoral in their lives, used to laugh at the religion and conduct of their Jewish subjects—a sect who were devoted to the belief of one God.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Mussulmans", "Genghis Khan’s generals", "Greeks", "Romans", "Jews" ], "places": [ "India", "Hindoostan", "Arracan", "Bengal" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy compared the religious contempt shown by Muslim, Mongol, Arrakanese, Greek, and Roman conquerors toward subject peoples.", "tags": [ "Religion", "War", "Colonialism" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 11, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 106 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00130-abd04b733f7456399ecb.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Religion Must Not Use Insult", "chunk_data": "It is therefore not uncommon if the English missionaries, who are of the conquerors of this country, revile and mock at the religion of its natives. But as the English are celebrated for the manifestation of humanity and for administering justice, and as a great many gentlemen among them are noticed to have had an aversion to violate equity, it would tend to destroy their acknowledged character if they follow the example of the former savage conquerors in disturbing the established religion of the country; because to introduce religion by means of abuse and insult, or by affording the hope of worldly gain, is inconsistent with reason and justice.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "English missionaries", "English administrators" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy argued that missionaries would undermine England’s reputation for humanity and justice by using abuse, insult, or worldly gain to promote Christianity.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Justice", "Missionaries" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 12, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 106 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00130-abd04b733f7456399ecb.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Conversion Should Follow Argument", "chunk_data": "If by the force of argument they can prove the truth of their own religion and the falsity of that of Hindoos, many would of course embrace their doctrines, and in case they fail to prove this, they should not undergo such useless trouble, nor tease Hindoos any longer by their attempts at conversion.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "English missionaries", "Hindoos" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy maintained that Hindus would accept Christianity if missionaries proved its truth by argument, but otherwise should not be harassed by conversion attempts.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Conversion", "Debate" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 13, "chapter_name": "1823. Raja Rammohun Roy’s Criticism of Missionaries", "page_numbers": [ 106 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00130-abd04b733f7456399ecb.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Truth Beyond Wealth and Power", "chunk_data": "In consideration of the small huts in which Brahmuns generally reside, and the simple food, such as vegetables &c. which they are accustomed to eat, and the poverty which obliges them to live upon charity, the missionary gentlemen may not, I hope, abstain from controversy from contempt of them; for truth and true religion do not always belong to wealth and power, high names, or lofty palaces.", "time": { "start_year": 1823, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1823, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1823" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Raja Rammohun Roy", "Brahmins", "English missionaries" ], "places": [ "India" ], "event": "Raja Rammohun Roy urged missionaries not to dismiss Brahmins because of their poverty, arguing that truth and true religion are not confined to wealth or power.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Society", "Missionaries" ] } } ] }