An evangelist in the North Indian state of Madhya Pradesh was killed by Hindu priests suspected of seeking human sacrifices for a Hindu “goddess” in the latest in a series of attacks against Christians in the country.
According to the Global Council of Indian Christians, Vipin Mandloli, 27, was shot dead near Aamkut village in the Jhabua District, Madhya Pradesh.
Mandloi, who works as a shepherd in his spare time, left his home on Oct. 14 to a nearby mountain to graze his sheep near a Hindu temple.
"There was a new temple of Kali, the 'goddess' of the Hindus, and he was in its premises," reported GCIC president Sajan K. George. “Three ‘Pujaris,’ or Hindu priests, came there and they shot and killed Vipin Mandloi with a … pistol.”
GCIC alleged that the Hindu priests were angry that Mandloi had become a Christian after falling victim to alcohol abuse and a failed marriage. According to the advocacy group, Mandloi transformed to a very devoted Christian and even supported the churches and evangelists in the locality.
"The ‘goddess’ Kali is a bloodthirsty ‘goddess’ and she is even given human sacrifice," said George, “so it is suspected that the priests found this an opportune time to kill the evangelist as they were already upset with his decision of accepting Christ.”
There has been growing concern about attacks against Christians in the same region. With an investigation in the process, GCIC hopes justice will be rendered to the family.
Comments
There are many Christians who risk death daily in Asia and in Muslim couintries. We must pray for their welfare and for their safety without ceasing. These are the saints in the frontline of this war we are waging between darkness and light and the only way to get help to them is never to forget them in our prayers everyday. Please pray for a covering of the blood of Jesus on them and their families everyday.
Let's look at the facts.
1. Some priests allegedly killed a shepherd who was a Christian.
2. He was on their land.
3. This could have been a retaliation or ritualistic killing.
My experience with Buddhist temples has been that they are a central part of the community and treated like a public park. Is Hindu similar? If so, the shepherd was probably not trespassing.
Was it retaliation? Based on the trend of restrictions and hate towards Indian Christians in the past few years - probably. Was it a sacrifice? Does it really matter? Murder is murder.
I paraphrase: Jesus said, "Do you expect that you are more likeable than me? If they persecuted me, they will persecute you." It's no secret that Jesus is the only way to forgiveness of sins. It's not secret that the world HATES that truth and will kill to silence it.
so we've sunk to arguing about the definition of "a sacrifice" ? It doesn't get any more absurd than this....
The concept of ahimsa, from what I've read, supports violence in self-defense, and supposedly Hindu scripture states that criminals are not protected by ahimsa.
That would be the "IMO" part, DJK24. I don't know there wasn't a rite, but from the information presented, the weapon used, and basic research on Kali worship, it's unlikely. What I "feel about it" is that human sacrifice in India is not haphazard.
So much for 'ahimsa', the supposed Hindu belief in non-violence.
WiccanTexan
You say, "A sacrifice to a Deity would be very ritualistic, not just a pop with a pistol."
How do you know there wasn't ritual? Who decided whether it was ritualistic or not? You or the Hindu? Regardless of how you "feel" about it human sacrifice does exist in India under ground.
This was no sacrifice, IMO. A sacrifice to a Deity would be very ritualistic, not just a pop with a pistol. It may very well have been due to his decision to become Christian, and then going onto temple grounds, but it was no sacrifice.