Johann Gottfried Herder (1744-1803) German philosopher, poet and critic, clergyman, born in East Prussia.

"mankind's origins can be traced to India, where the human mind got the first shapes of wisdom and virtue with a simplicity, strength and sublimity which has - frankly spoken - nothing, nothing at all equivalent in our philosophical, cold European world."

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation has organized the Ghar Waapasi program in the Madhuravada area in Visakhapatnam city and welcomed 38  Christians. Our Associates Kollu Srinivasa Rau, Santosh (John Paul was his name before he returned to Hinduism), and his friends have been actively involved in visiting a number of villages in West Godavari District and Visakhapatnam. They distributed a 4-page document containing the rights of Hindus to encounter Christians and how to stop the construction of illegal churches. Similarly, they distributed a 52-page book comparing the Bible with Bhagavad Gita.

Welcomed 38 Christians back to Hindu Dharma

Ghar Waapasi program was conducted by performing Shuddhi (purification) ceremony that was conducted at Sri Nagalamba Temple in Vamby Colony in Madhuravada area in Visakhapatnam. This area is a core Christian bastion which is very difficult even to talk to the residents.

You will be surprised to find out that many Christians do not even want to talk to our Pracharaks. The Pastors strictly told them not to talk to any Hindus and not even to their own blood relatives. The Christian Pastor wants the converts to stay in ignorance forever. As long as they keep their flock in their fold, they would be successful in their business.  The pastors are so afraid of their flock slipping away from them, they keep an eye on them and keep pressuring them not to mix with any other religious people.

Our Associates Sri Kollu Srinivas Raju and Santosh (John Paul) have been talking to these families for weeks and months. We are all aware, it is not easy to change Christians back to Hinduism. First, we do not engage in any king deception, allurements, and other enticements. Our approach is only to talk about the richness of our culture and the importance of dharma. Second, the comparison of Hinduism with Christianity is really helping our Pracharaks to approach Christians and convince them. Third, the explanation of the status of women in the Bible and Hindu scriptures attracts a number of people who return to Hinduism.

This program was attended by many Hindu activists who spoke about the richness of Hinduism and welcomed these Christians back to Hinduism. They expressed their gratitude to those who returned to Hindu Dharma. Hindu activists such as Sri Vasishta Kiran, Sri Nukala Surya Prakash, Retired Army Officer Sri Chandra Sekhar, Retired Army Officer Jeevana Rao, GHHF Board Member  Sri Pinnamaneni Srinivas, and others attended and spoke about the need to work at the ground level to impart the importance of Hindu Dharma.

One Convert Talked about her coming Back

               One lady by the name of Nadanya spoke about her experience of being Hindu and Christian. She was born in a Hindu family where her mother used to go to Temples frequently and her father used to do meditation when she was growing up. She met a Christian boy and got married to him. Even then she used to go to Temple once in a while and used to go to church regularly with her husband. As a child, she used to read and listen about Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other scriptures which had a deep impact on her personality. Being educated her husband started developing a comparative perspective and realized the greatness of Hindu Dharma. Her husband and his whole family returned to Hinduism.

               The main reason that she was not completely believed in Christianity even though she was going to Chur for a decade, was her childhood impressions of Ramayana and other stories. She could not reconcile her belief with that only one God concept.

               She advises all Hindu families that they should make sure to keep books on Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other related books which will have an impact on the children. They will one day open the books and read. The impressions can never be erased. Parents talking about and listening to the Pravachanams of great saints will have lasting impressions which will serve as a cushion for them to remain Hindus.

Status of Women in the Bible

               Our Associates talked about the importance of Arundhati and the respect we give in Hindu tradition. We start with Matru Devo Bhava – Mother is the first Guru and respects her all throughout our lives. Hinduism is the only religion that respects women. In Bible, women are treated as sex objects and their value is not equal to men. Bible says: 

"A woman is bitter than death. Her heart is like a venomous trap and her hands are like prison chains. I (God) found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all." -- Ecclesiastes 7:26-28

(Christian God orders) “Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, 18 but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man”. -- Numbers 31:17-18

 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes, I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. -- 2 Samuel 12:11

Importance of Arundhati

About 38 Christian Returnees sat at the Homa, took Sankalpa, applied Kumkum on their forehead, and offered Ahutis until Homa is completed. Then they offered Purnahuti and took the pledge in front of Agni Deva that they would remain Hindus ad follow dharma for the rest of their lives.

Our Associates talked about the importance of Arundhati Nakshatra – Arundhati belongs to the BC caste. Everybody who is married is required to have the sight of Arundhati and Sage Vasishta.  It symbolizes 'Conjugal loyalty devotion, fulfillment, happiness and marital bliss' as both 'sacred Arundhati and sage Vashishtha are considered as most revered as per Hindu religious customs at par with Trinity of Gods. Arundhati is given significant recognition along with Sapta Rishis and is given equal importance. Arundhati and Vasishta are considered ideal couples to emulate and remembered and sighted on the auspicious occasion of wedding.

Their work continues with more vigor and determination. They plan to approach several families and tell them that they are welcome to come back to Sanatana Dharma.  They will convince these Christians that Pastor might say they may be burning eternally in the fire. Our Associates informed them that God is not a killer and would not punish. God’s character is all-loving, compassionate, and all-forgiving. So, they do not have to fear God to return to Hinduism if they desire to do so.

Many of them were surprised to find out what was written in the Bible and were happy to know something about Sanatana Dharma. As we all know very few Hindus have any idea about the richness of Hinduism. It was a pleasant surprise to find out something about their ancestors’ faith.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

We appreciate it if you can help in hiring more people who can go to these villages to do Ghar Waapasi. We have employed 24 people so far. More people we hire more villages can be covered to welcome them back and also create Chaitanya (Awareness) among the students and villagers.

1) Donate any amount to help the Dharma Pracharaks to work at the ground level.

2) Sponsor one Pracharak: In order to expand our base and hire one Pracharak, it would cost approximately $3000.00 per year. We have five anonymous donors who sponsored Assistants.

DONATIONS

PayPal Method: To donate visit our website: savetemples.org. Click on the Donate button, then press the Purpose category, and select the Ghar Wapsi Donation category.

By Check: Or you can send a check payable to GHHF, . It is tax-deductible.

By Zelle: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com

RUPEES, if you would like to contribute to rupees, please either call or send an email. We will call you back to give you the required information.

For more information, call Prakasarao Velagapudi at ; Email: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com