By Phrangsngi Pyrtuh
We have reached a flashpoint, it seems, on issue concerning spirituality and the realm of the unknown. Religion and its relevance in a post modern world has been subject way too many times to criticism of various sorts. For one, many philosophers/thinkers antithetical to religion believe that its pervasiveness shall diminish as humankind and society develop and become more attuned to modernization or/and globalization. But very few leading thinkers propagated the need to do away with religion since it is a source of social existence to prevent disorder, anarchy and the breakdown of social structure. Religion has been attributed as one of the major cause for wars and inhuman carnage which requires no elaboration. What baffles me is this new theory that religion (more specifically Christianity) is the reason for the modern angst that the Khasi society especially the youth encounters. So we have different people saying different things to discredit Christianity one of which made headlines in the recent CALM festival in a strong and prejudiced expression of disenchantment (with Christianity and not other religion say Islam or the Niam Khasi). The hypothesis is that we should revitalize our indigenous values/practices and in the context of the statement made, various problems of the Khasi society such as teenage pregnancies, homosexuality, extra marital affairs, HIV/AIDS, devil worship etc are supposedly better addressed. This has opened a can of worms and while it has hurt the sentiments of those that have the highest respect of Christianity in the state it may have inadvertently and regressively confused the discourse (and the issue at hand) for its biased observation.
One may have strong views about Christianity (or other religions) but to brand it as judgmental vis-à-vis the indigenous religion (read the Niam khasi/tre) is ridiculous. All religions have certain precepts upon which certain principles and doctrines are made for adherence. For instance the niam Khasi has certain principles such as kamai ia ka hok, tip briew tip blei etc and certainly admirable. In Christianity most values are derived from Christ’s teaching which have been praised by even the non-Christians for their humanism. No doubt right wing politics has degraded most of Christ’s teaching to fit a specific agenda but such politics exist elsewhere as well. What should concern us is therefore not Christian values as such but the growth of such virulent political ideology hijacking Christ and his teachings. If we are to condemn such teachings as judgmental then I lend my support wholeheartedly but to condemn “Christianity” to the same is unbecoming. This contestation of which values are better is best avoided while trying to address the real issues that are inflicting the Khasi society because it may lead to simmering tension which is the last thing we need.
I doubt if a return to indigenous values would remove or mitigate problems that are completely new to the Khasi community such as abortion, drug addiction or homosexuality. These are complex social problems that exist in a complex society for various reason that are psychological, social and even political. Moreover a Christian has to choose to abandon his faith without him being hounded or coerced by the Church which by the way the law does not permit. Also, just because Christianity is a major religion in this state one simply cannot use a blanket argument that it is also responsible for the problems galore. Does this then mean that the loss of Hindu values that everyone is talking about is owing to Hinduism which is a major religion in almost all parts of India?
It has always been receptive to internal criticism and reforms if the need arises. Doors are open for mediation and negotiation on various issues such as homosexuality, abortion, contraceptives etc., around the world and I am hopeful that the same would occur in this state. No doubt there are problems such as mismanagement, questions raised on probity and even corruption that have crept up in recent times but that normally happens when you try to manage a huge organization. You need the right people for the right job – one who walks the talk. If young people have lost faith in the church it is because of the people running it. That is a problem certainly not the values that defines it. These organizational problems do not at all discredit the message that Christianity imbibes which is love, tolerance, forgiveness etc. The preaching of Christ is widely admired but the meaning and practicality of it are beyond our mortal understanding just as some of the principles of the niam khasi have meanings that are profound and certainly universal.
I for one feel indebted to the contributions made by the founders and the first missionaries to these hills because I shudder to think of the condition of the society otherwise. Things may have been far worse than they already are or they may not which would mean that the indigenous Khasi values and beliefs/practices are without flaws and therefore infallible. One cannot presume on such speculations. Christianity has brought enlightenment where there is none and restructured society when there is social disarray for which it has earned the goodwill resulting in its tremendous popularity across the globe. Undoubtedly being a proselytizing religion explains why it has thrived and continues to have strong bearings even today. But more than proselytizing it is the human mission that has come to be associated with Christianity which has earned it respect and a place in human history. Additionally the contribution of Christianity to the Khasi community is overwhelming and has resulted in a social transformation that is certainly progressive and beneficial to the society. For one it has united the Khasi tribal community which was a loosely knit based society falling under different Himas and small kingdoms. Many of the ills inflicting the Khasi -Jaintia society prior to Christianity such as superstition, sorcery and even human worship were abandoned. The introduction of the Khasi script by the Christian missionaries is the reason why we have maintained our distinct identity unlike in some other tribal areas in mainland India where identities are disappearing because they have no script of their own.
Some of the contributions have been derivative in nature. For instance the Seng khasi came together and became an organized entity. Christian practices such as Sunday congregation and sermons influenced the need to have a formal and organized gathering amongst the followers of the indigenous religion as well. To attribute all the problems and ills of the Khasi community to Christianity is far-fetched even if one does not follow it or is an atheist. Christianity has shaped the Khasi society in a certain way and I don’t see any possible substitute to it that is better. The Khasi society is going through an identity crisis of some sort which again must not be attributed to Christianity towards which this preposterous argument may veer. Any more instability than this may bring unwarranted peril and retribution. The church is one agency and facilitator which I deem important for a corrective course in line with modern times with or without being judgmental. The Niam khasi and Niam Tre may be the other. The ball is out in the people’s court.