Anglican priest defends himself on conversion to Hinduism

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Anglican priest defends himself on conversion to Hinduism

Saturday September 16 2006

 

T'PURAM: Anglican priest David A Hart, whose open

espousal of Hinduism has sparked a debate in British

religious circles, says he will continue his exploration of the

" oneness " of religions and remained unfazed by the

consequences it could have on his priesthood.

 

" Some people say my licence as a priest is under review. I

am not doing anything wrong here. I am a convert to the

Hinduism here because that is the local religion. And

practising Hinduism is in no way incompatible with my

faith in Christ, " Hart, now staying at Karumam near here,

told PTI.

 

After coming to know about his " conversion " , 'Church

Times' of the Church of England (C of E) has launched a

debate and online poll on the feasibility of allowing Hart to

officiate as a priest.

 

Attached to the diocese of ELY in England, 52-year-old Hart

had taught theology at the University of Derby for several

years. Though he had visited India several Times since

1987, he came here for an extended stay last year teaching

English and theology in a local seminary.

 

Dressed in a saffron 'dhoti' and pristine white shirt, Hart the

other day enthusiastically mingled with local crowd in

celebrating Sri Krishna Jayanthi and, a few days back, was

seen worshiping Lord Ganesh.

 

Hart said he had not received any official communication

from the bishop of ELY about his priesthood being

reconsidered.

 

Hart's 'pooja room' at his house here has pictures of Christ

and Krishna, virgin Mary and Saraswati, the Hindu goddess

of art and learning.

 

There is even a plastic 'Nagar,' the serpent revered and

worshipped by the Hindus. Also, on the wall of the drawing

room was displayed a poster depicting the holy places of

Islam.

 

Author of several books on religion with the latest being

'trading faith', Hart said celebrating god in non-human forms

need not be considered as 'un-Christian' as Jesus was

represented as a lamb in the Book of Revelation in the

Bible.

 

" After all, god is not a human being. God is the god of

creation. What is important is that we have to have a

symbol. Worshipping god in the form of human being had

come to be practised by religions in a later period in

history. "

 

Hart, also secretary of World Congress of Faiths, said his

understanding of the Hinduism had helped him learn

Christianity better. He noted that there was much similarity

between Christ and Krishna.

 

" You saw in my 'pooja' room, pictures of Krishna with his

mother and also infant Jesus on the lap of the mother. How

could then we say that Hindu beliefs are incompatible with

those of the Christians, " he asked.

 

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO2006

0915064931 & Page=O & Title=Thiruvananthapuram & Topic=0

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