March 16, 2005
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THERE ARE 44 MILLION CHILD LABOURERS IN INDIA
You can learn more facts such as this in the book by Jessica Williams (another impulse buy!). The point about child labourers in India hit me because of OM's presentation about the Dalits (untouchables, at the bottom of the caste system) of India, in church the other day. The presentation was primarily to inform our people about the disadvantaged and oppressed but I don't know in what way we may have been challenged to broaden hearts and minds. Those of us who live in the city have so much going for us; the extent to which we allow ourselves to think less about our wants and needs and to think more about what moves God's heart is the beginning of personal transformation.
Vishal Mangalwadi, who once studied under Francis Schaeffer is also one of India's foremost Christian intellectuals and activists. Interestingly, he wrote, "For two centuries Christians have spent their resources on educating the upper castes, many of whom are now opposing -- if not persecuting -- Christians in India and propagating Hinduism in the West." In a strongly worded critique, Mangalwadi went on to say that, "The Western church has not preached equality in India."
Visit the OM India site about work among the Dalits, to give them a social, spiritual and political voice intheir own country.
To learn about individuals, foundations and organisations helping India's Dalits, visit Dalit Freedom Network.
Comments (2)
Oh, I've heard about the Dalits. I'd love to borrow that book should we chance to meet again.
You know, it's a really big shame that we live in such a remarkable time, global communication is an easy thing now, and yet we still have a very unbalanced planet.
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