I am a Hindu with a Christian upbringing having been schooled in a Jesuit school. I can vouch that not once did the American Fathers who taught me ever ridicule mine or any one else's religion. Some of these Jesuits who had left behind their families and friends and had come to India for their spiritual salvation which they hoped to achieve by spreading the gospel, were very well read in the Indian spiritual and philosophical heritage. The Catholics will not agree with me but when I see a Catholic or Orthodox church and the worship rituals I am very comfortable with the same having seen similar rituals in my own religion. On the other hand I have not had the privilege of ever being inside a Protestant Church but I understand that some of the staunchest Protestant churches are stark and barren - which is also not in any conflict with Hindu Philosophy which after all considers GOD as formless manifested in all forms. I am sure that if the American priests who taught me would see how they have influenced me and my fellow students, how we have imbibed Christian values without giving up on Hindu values, they would be happy and feel fulfilled with their work. Thank you Jesuits. Congratulations to the team that has produced this Bible and to the superiors who blessed its publication. May God bless this continued thrust of amalgamating religion with culture.
