Thus with disappearance of European dominance, Christianity assumed its natural position as one of the religions of Asia while the missionaries ceased to hold any privileged position.
In the fourth part related to intellectual challenges to Christianity, the contributors of different articles point to the fact that since the ?Age of Enlightenment? numerous Western thinkers have spoken against Christianity, ?ridiculing? the irrationality of Biblical texts and Christian beliefs, their seed of cruelty and the monstrosity of Christianity'shistorical record.
In the fifth part on the ?Decline of Christianity?, papers are presented on the continuous clash between hardliner Christians and science, the widespread abuses perpetrated by Church on Natives in various parts of the world and destruction of the Church following the rise of alternative faiths in the West.
Finally what this special on Christianity has to say is what Swami Abhedananda, a close co-disciple of Swami Vivekananda had said, ?A Hindu accepts Christ but rejects Churchianity.?
(Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust, 5 Singarachari Street, Triplicane, Chennai-600005.)
?M.G.
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