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Friday, August 22, 2008

Catholic Hindu Bible?

A few days ago I posted the article, "Hail Mary and Rhythmic Breathing."
The article was about a book that mixed Roman Catholicism with Hinduism. Today I came across a bible that appears to be doing the same thing:

New Indian Bible Draws Fire over Hindu References

A new Indian version of the Bible recently, published by the Catholic Church, has run into controversy over its inclusion of verses from the Bhagavad Gita, a form of Hindu chant, and references to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

An illustration in the new version, New Community Bible, depicts Jesus, Mary and Joseph as poor Indian villagers. Mary wears a simple sari and has a bindi on her forehead alongside Joseph in a turban and loincloth.
According to the 30 Indian biblical scholars who worked for more than 15 years on the new edition, the Bible draws on "the rich cultural and religious heritage of India."

Although approved by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India and published by the Society of St. Paul, the Bible met the disapproval of Protestants and other Christian groups, who believe it diverts from biblical truth.

Pastor Vijay Thomas, who heads a Bible college in Chennai, told Christian Today, “By making it appear ‘Indian’ with references to Hindu scriptures and great poets, people will not come to the truth. This is a complete turn back from the real Bible."

Oswald Gracias, the Catholic Archbishop of Bombay, defended the Bible edition, saying, "I am sure this Bible, made in India and for Indians, will bring the word of God closer to millions of our people, not only Christians."

You can read the rest of the report at this link:
Hinduism


The Way of Life Literature web site is also reporting the story:

Here is what they posted:

NEW CATHOLIC BIBLE FEATURES QUOTES FROM HINDU SCRIPTURES (Friday Church News Notes, August 22, 2008, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) -

The New Community Bible published by the Catholic Church in India features verses from the Hindu Scriptures and quotes from Hindu activist Mahatma Gandhi. (“New Indian Bible Draws Fire,” Christian Post, Aug. 11, 2008). It is approved by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and published by the Society of St. Paul. The new Bible sold 15,000 copies within 10 days of its release. The Catholic Church in India has been deeply syncretized with Hinduism over the past 50 years. Some Catholic priests have even imitated the habit of the Hindu holy man, wearing the orange robe, adopting vegetarianism, meditating yoga style, living in ashrams, etc. We documented this in the new book Contemplative Mysticism: A Powerful Ecumenical Bond, which is available from Way of Life Literature.

Here is a link to another report on this story:
Indian version of Bible draws fire over Hindu references


If I find more information about this I will make sure I post it as soon as I can.

Where is Catholicism heading?
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> posted by Trevor Hammack at

1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Where is Catholicism heading?


Clearly downhill. Anyone can see it. Xianity is losing adherents in the west. India has about 1.20 billion non xians. They must be converted by hook or by crook. Hence this abomination of a book.

Joseph in Indian dress?

Then where was Jesus killed? India.

Who killed Jesus? Hindus, of course.

Desperation of the church is showing, but Hindus are chuckling!! Xianity can be explained only through Hinduism. QED.

September 1, 2008 at 6:25 AM  

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