Christianity

Nearly 2 per cent population of India subscribes to Christianity. As such Christianity in India has a very old history. It arrived in India about 2000 years ago, almost the same time as in Europe. One of the Jesus Christ’s disciples, St. Judas Thomas, arrived in Kerala in 52 AD India and converted many Indians to Christianity. The people who were converted by him were called Syrian Christians. However, much of the conversion to Christianity took place much later through the missionaries who arrived in India with the European powers, from 15th century onwards. Many of those who were converted during this period included a large number of lower caste Hindus. They are identified as Dalit Christians and are considered to be inferior to Syrian Christians. Christians in India are divided into Protestants and Catholic, as elsewhere in the world, and denominations such as Syrian Church, Armenian Church, Anglican Church and others. Christianity teaches that Jesus is the Son of God. He is the savior. Christians believe that Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and was resurrected from the dead to open heaven for the salvation of those who believe in him and trust him. Jesus is believed to have ascended bodily into heaven where he rules and reigns with God the Father. Jesus is also a model of virtuous life. The message of Jesus Christ is called the Gospel ("good news").

Christianity is equated with love, charity and peace. Christian missionaries have undertaken lot of development activities in rural and tribal areas in various parts of the country. In India late 19th and early 20th century reformers including Ramkrishana Paramhansa and Mahatma Gandhi were inspired by Christian religion and the Christ, the savior. At the same time, Christian missionaries have shown a proselytizing tendency, and converted the poor and tribal Hindus to Christianity. This has often been a source of mistrust and conflict between the two communities in affected areas.