Wesleyan pastor is guilty of Pharisaic blindness

Dec 10, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
I read the letter “Are Wesleyan Christians true Christians?” (Nov. 7), with disappointment and sadness. The KN letter, written by Ganesh Mahipaul, related an incident that occurred a few weeks ago at Maria’s Pleasure, Wakenaam; this letter was a follow-up of his previous letter, “This type of religious intolerance in Guyana is dangerous”, on Nov. 20 in the KN. Apparently, there was a cultural (Diwali) program hosted by the Meer Zorg Vishwa Jotir Mandir where a 14-year-old girl from the Wesleyan church danced. Evidently, the girl was penalized by the church by putting a 6-week ban on her from active participation. In his alleged conversation with the pastor of the church, she defended the decision by pointing out, “you cannot dine at the lord’s table and the enemy’s table at the same time”. If this is true, the pastor has grossly erred in her social and spiritual stance.
Where is the love that is the bedrock of the Christian faith in that stance? The pastor reminds me of the passage in Mark 12:28-34. One can go through all the “right” religious motions – paraded with a holiness garb, but if there is no love, it is like the sound of a pukni banging a pipe! The pastor and her church were probably incensed that the girl went and danced at the mandir. A good, decent Christian girl should never be found mingling with Hindus – especially in a place of “idolatry”, right? Again, this incident reminds of me how incensed Jesus’ disciples were when they found out he wanted to dine with the ‘worst’ of sinners; they called him a wine-bibber, for a good religious person who never have mingled with such sinful people. The disciples’ idea was that “holy” people should be in the church or synagogue; Jesus, however, had different ideas!
Christians are called to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’. What an opportunity to do so in the Hindu temple! The apostle Paul was confronted with the myriad of gods at Athens. However, instead of staying away, he was in the middle of it all – and proclaimed the love of God to the people in love. Branding Hindus the “enemy” is not prudent in winning the admiration of the Hindus. As Christians, we should do what we could to win their respect and love. Consequently, they will see our “good works and glorify the Father in heaven”!
I wonder why the pastor was peeved. Was it because the girl danced? Was it because she danced an Indian song, or was it because she danced at the mandir? If the girl had danced an ‘English’ song, would that have been okay? (I understand… I’ve been through that. After I came to faith in Christ, I was conditioned to think that everything Indian was degenerate and depraved and should be despised. Praise God, I now know better!) Christians need to know that (1) God is the God of all peoples and cultures, and it is okay to dance (or sing) Indian, (2) We need to go (as we are commanded) into places that make us uncomfortable, so that we could be salt and light, and (3) We need to share the Good News of God to the peoples of the world – and “use words if necessary”!
To the young woman, I say, “Keep on dancing. Dance well, and try to perfect your skill as much as possible. Indian) dancing is very artistic and expressive. And let your every expression bring glory to God”. (Rina Singha, perhaps the most accomplished Indian Christian dancer in the world, taught Indian dancing to Christians at a Wesleyan church in Guyana in 2004. Rina is a born-again, evangelical Christian, but also dances with Hindus and dances at various Hindu cultural events). To the pastor, I say, read and re-read 1 Cor. 13, where it says that if we do not have love, our religion is worthless, and in vain.
If love is not present, I suggest that you use your time and energy to do something else! In the meanwhile, repent for your folly. Take the right next step by humbling yourself (before man and God), and He shall lift you up. Start by apologising to Mr. Mahipaul and all Hindus of Guyana for your careless words, for you are guilty of your Pharisaic blindness! To bhai Ganesh Mahipaul, as a Christian, I wish to express profound regret over the incident. Forgive the pastor, for she knew not what she did. Someday I would love to come to your mandir, sing bhajans about Yeshu ka pyaar – (Jesus’ love), dance fervently (I know some kathak!), and share the Good News of God (my passion!) with you as well as with the other bhaio aur baheno (brothers and sisters.
Devanand Bhagwan

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