I would like to add my voice and agree with Dr J Saha and Dr D Shah (AV letters 3/1/15) both writers opposing your editorial (AV 20/12/14) on reconversions. As somebody who first religious book was the Bible aged 7 in a colonial Kenyan white only school in the 60's I can claim knowledge of religion from both sides. My father said “son acquiring an education is a must” and promptly sent me to the local Christian European school. My devout Hindu mother performed Arti at home. This sent me on a lifelong journey to seek the truth as to who was right and today I can say my mother was, not my teachers.
One person who helped me is Mahatma Gandhi who left India for England and faced similar issues.
When my mother prays she prays for the well being of the whole world and all life where as Abrahamic religions divide people into believers and non believers and are taught to save non believers, like me or we will go to hell. Gandhiji himself a proud Hindu was averse to conversions and welcomed re-conversions his son being an example. Visiting newly migrated Hindu relatives in the US, last month I was shocked when the 7 year old produced a personalised Bible, engraved with her name, given to her by the school as part of her studies, my heart sank. She may need reconverting one day.
Jayesh A Patel
Wimbledon
