© 1999 VNN
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WORLD October 26, 1999 VNN4989 Comment on this story Southern Baptists Target Hindus FROM FLORIDA PRESS JOURNAL USA, Oct 26 (VNN) — NEW YORK (AP) -- The Southern Baptist Convention - the nation's largest Protestant denomination -- is urging its members to pray for the millions of Hindus "lost in the hopeless darkness of Hinduism." About 30,000 booklets to be issued Monday in time for Divali, the major Hindu festival of lights, calls for the conversion of those "who worship gods which are not God." The booklet says that Hindus have no concept of sin or personal responsibility. The denomination previously published booklets soliciting prayers for Moslems and Jews, offending leaders of those faiths. The language in this publication is harsher, said Louis Moore, the book's editor. "There is a clearer definition that Hindus are lost," he said, adding: "We're all lost without Jesus Christ." Divali is a major festival, dedicated to Laxmi, goddess of prosperity and goodness. Umaa Mysorekar, president of the Hindu Temple of Flushing in New York and secretary-treasurer of the Council of Hindu Temples, said the timing of the publication is insulting. Mysorekar said the thinking contained in the guide is "not only absurd but also ignorant. I don't think Jesus himself would have said not to respect other religions." Hari Sharma, president of the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, said: "Whoever publishes such a book does a disservice to the society. People should understand one another's religions, not go back into history when we were attacking one another." A guide to praying for Buddhists is also planned. (submitted by Vajresvari devi dasi/Ellie Clark) Comment on this story  Contact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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