just minishorts.

In 1978, 'the Freedom of Religion Bill' was proposed in the Indian parliament, with the aim to prevent conversions to Christianity by 'force, fraud, inducement or allurement'. The bill was part of a government led campaign to discourage the activities of foreign missionaries.

In this particular situation, the late Mother Teresa, herself an outspoken activist and a leader for the church, wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister, Morarji Desai:

Dear Mr Desai, and Members of Our Parliament,

After much prayer and sacrifices, I write to you, asking you to face God in prayer, before you take the step which will destroy the joy and the freedom of our people.

Our people, as you know better than I — are God-fearing people. In whatever way you approach them, that presence of God — the fear of God, is there. Today all over the country everybody feels insecure because the very life of freedom of conscience is being touched. Religion is not something you and I can touch. Religion is the worship of God — therefore, a matter of conscience. I alone must decide for myself and you for yourself, what we choose. For me the religion I live and use to worship God is the Catholic religion. For me this is my very life, my joy and the greatest gift of God in His love for me. He could have given me no greater gift.

I love my people very much, more than myself, and so naturally I would wish to give them the joy of possessing this treasure, but it is not mine to give, nor can I force it on anyone. So also no man, no law, no Government has the right to prevent me or force me, or anyone, if I choose to embrace the religion that gives me peace, joy, love.

I was told that Gandhiji had said, 'If the Christians would live their lives according to the teaching of Jesus Christ, there would be no more Hindus left in India.' You cannot give what you do not have.

The new move that is being brought before Parliament under the cover of freedom of religion, is false. There is no freedom if a person is not free to choose according to his or her conscience. Our people in Arunachal are so disturbed. All these years our people have lived togehter in peace. Now religion is used as a deadly weapon to destroy the love they had for each other, just because some are Christians, some Hindus, some Tribals. Are you not afraid of God?

You call him ISHWAR, some call him ALLAH, some simply God, but we all have to acknowledge that it is He who made us for greater things: to love and to be loved. Who are we to prevent our people from finding this God who has made them — who loves them — to whom they have to return?

I took the letter from page 157, Mother Teresa: A Complete Authorized Biography written by Kathryn Spink. And yes, there is more from where this letter came from. I might provide the remainder of the letter another day, but for now, yes I believe this is sufficient.