GANDHI

Waipa Post, Volume 43, Issue 3328, 28 July 1931, Page 2

GANDHI

“I hoid that proselytising under the cloak of humanitarian work is, to say the least, unhealthy. It is most certainly resented by the people here. Religion after all, is a deeply personal matter; it touches the heart. Why should I change my religion because a dootor who professes Christianity as his religion has cured me of some disease or why should the , doctor expect or suggest such a Change while I am under his influence? Is not medical relief its own reward and satisfaction? lam not against conversion. But lam against the modern methods of it. Conversion nowadays has become a matter of business, like any other. I remember having read a missionary report saying how much it cost per head to convert and then present a budget for ‘the next'harvest.’ It follows from what I have said above that India is in no need of conversion of the kind I have in mind. Conversion in the sense of self-purification, selfrealisation is the crying need of the times. That, however is not what is ever meant by proselytising. To those who would convert India might it not be said ‘Physician heal thyself? ’ ”