The Scottish Bible Society is responding to appeals received by its sister organisation in India from Christians that have recently experienced persecution, especially in the state of Orissa.

The Scottish Bible Society’s new campaign for India aims to raise money in Scotland to help victims of anti-Christian violence as well as those seeking purpose in life.

Despite the fact that India’s constitution offers freedom of worship, Christians continue to be pressurised in a number of states. Methods range from legal disadvantages and intimidation at elections to outright murder.

Gospel for Asia (GFA) missionary Ojas Ganj can only see out of one eye today. On February 19, four anti-Christian extremists beat him severely, inflicting multiple wounds including an eye injury. This was the second time fanatics attacked him this year, both times at his village in Orissa.

Rajma Naik, 45, fled to a camp after a mob chased her out of her home in Gonjugra village, also in Orissa. She said: "We've been told that if we don't become Hindus, we will be killed. But I will never become a Hindu, even if I have to die.”

Since August last year, scores of people have died while thousands of homes and dozens of churches have been burned down with the loss of furniture, belongings and, for many Christians, their most valued possession: the Bible.

There are 30 million Christians in India – around 2.5 per cent of the population. Many of them cannot afford to purchase a Bible or a New Testament for themselves, particularly those whose copies have been damaged or destroyed in the attacks.

The Scottish Bible Society wants to help its local counterpart to provide 10,000 Bibles, 10,000 New Testaments, 30,000 Bible portions and one million Scripture leaflets in 13 different languages.

The Bible Society in India has also asked for assistance with three smaller projects, with widows and women, children, and non-readers.

Widows and women from low castes such as the Dalits (untouchables) endure appalling abuse and discrimination. A special project has been set up to help them engage with stories of courageous women in the Bible and receive comfort, courage and hope.

More than 40 per cent of India’s population are under the age of 15 years. With the government making education compulsory, millions of children are now able to read and understand the printed word. Thousands of Scriptures are needed for the 3-15 age group, from the Toddler’s Bible to a popular Children’s Bible designed locally. The Bibles will be produced in 16 different languages.

Increasing numbers of people in India, especially in the urban areas, are seeking a purpose in life but many of them are either illiterate or don’t use their limited reading skills. The Bible Society of India is developing a programme of songs, puppetry and cartoons in local languages on tape, CD and video to convey the Bible’s messages of love, joy, peace and purpose. An estimated 30,000 audio-visual Scriptures will be required in eight major languages such as Hindi, Bengali and Gujarati.

Says Elaine Duncan, chief executive of the Scottish Bible Society: “Despite the hard times that Christians in India are facing, many followers of Christ are prepared to lay down their lives for Him. In this extreme situation they are asking for Bibles, which we can provide with the help of our supporters.”


On the web:
www.scottishbiblesociety.org/india