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CONVERSIONS, THE LTTTE AND THE DEATH
OF VENERABLE SOMA THERA.
Prof. Hudson McLean
Original Source : http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items03/291203-4.html
As a matter of principle Uncle Mac does not
participate in any religious debates or discussions. However the controversy
created by the untimely passing away of an important icon in Sinhala Buddhist
clergy forces Uncle Mac to express an opinion.
Knowing the main frame Christian clergy and their
principles very well, it is my considered opinion that it is hard to imagine
that any of the leading Christian denominations had any responsibility or
activity leading to the death of Ven. Soma Thera.
In order to elaborate the leading Christian faiths
such as the Church of Rome, under the leadership of His Holiness Pope John Paul
II, has encouraged closer dialogue with other main stream religions, such as
Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Hinduism.
The Right Reverend Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of
Canterbury has appealed for unity amongst Churches and closer understanding
amongst other Faiths.
Even His Royal Highness Prince Charles expressed his
desire to be addressed as the Head of Faiths, rather than the Head of Faith,
acknowledging his desire to give equality to all Faiths within the United
Kingdom and Commonwealth, rather than acting as the Guardian of the Church of
England or the Anglican Church.
Late Rev. Mother Teresa, now Blessed Mother Teresa,
an icon of human kindness, demonstrated to the world by showing her limitless
kindness and devotion to the poor humanity, the destitute, the lepers, the
beggars, the sufferers of the HIV-AIDS virus, living, working and subsequently
dying amongst those humans who were predominantly Hindus. Blessed Mother Teresa
did not attempt to convert any Indian, rich or poor. Her Faith in Jesus Christ
helped her to dedicate her life to the destitute but did not try to convert the
destitute to her Faith. A beautiful and a noble act!
This, however does not mean that there are no
conversions being attempted and possibly taking place in Sri Lanka and
elsewhere. But even so, it is highly unlikely that one of those several
Christian Evangelistic Groups had a hand in the untimely death of Venerable Soma
Thera. To delve further into conversions, such activity is largely conducted by
fringe religious groups which are classified as Evangelists. Any person, after
undergoing a brief spiritual induction can call himself, “Reverend”.
Such fringe Evangelical Groups are not the exclusive
Domain of Christian Evangelists. There are several such Hindu associated groups
such as Hari Krishna roaming European and USA countryside actively enrolling
followers.
Several internationally renown groups such as the
Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostalists, and many others, some of them
misusing the name of Christ, are on a path of seeking followers.
To make a point, in Europe the main frame Christian
Faiths are having a major problem in trying to keep their current Flock within
the Churches. Most of the Churches on Sundays are barely filled to capacity. The
numbers joining the Clergy are diminishing by the day. Under such circumstances,
these Church leaders do not have the capacity or capability to seek new Flock
for conversion.
However, many of the Evangelist groups, I would not
classify them as Faiths, funded by American foundations are roaming the old
Eastern Block countries, Indian subcontinent and China, trying to convert the
poor using questionable tactics. Still, I do not believe that such a group would
venture forth to assassinate a Buddhist monk.
An Open Question on the questionable passing away of
Ven. Soma Thera.
Who might stand to lose most, forthwith, if the
passing away of Ven. Soma Thera is questioned as a possible assassination or
induced murder by the Christian activists?
None other than the Sinhala Christians!
Majority of the Sinhala Christians and Catholics are
not interested in converting fellow Sinhala Buddhists or Sri Lankan Hindus into
Christianity. A minority might wish that, but I hesitate to think that a normal
person from Chilaw or Moratuwa might go on a conversion-kick, which might lead
to murder.
Let us look at the bottom line. Immediately upon
hearing of the passing away of Ven Soma Thero in St. Petersburg, the finger was
pointed at a Shantha Jayasekera and the entire Sinhala Christian community,
whilst the government of RanilWm kept silent. Why?
Was this part of a SLG-LTTTE plot to create
instability amongst the Southern Sinhala, in order to let the Tiger have its
prey?
Did any SLG and/or LTTTE Agent board the flight to
Russia with Ven. Soma Thero?
Was there any possibility or an opportunity of
introducing an excess of insulin into Ven Soma Thera which might result in
Cardiac arrest?
Did any person in the flight have any possibility of
introducing an excess of Nitro and/or sugar level lowering Euglucon tablet
administered into Ven. Soma Thero?
(Nitro tablets facilitate the expansion of arteries
to allow flow of blood, thus lowering the pressure and Euglucon lowers the sugar
level, which might result in a temporary loss of consciousness. Together, it may
have fatal repercussions. A person administering both tablets at the same time,
may be committing an act of murder.)
Were there any LTTTE cadres in the flight?
Did any of the LTTTE cadres or their sympathisers
have any access to Ven. Soma Thero whilst he was under care in the hospital in
St. Petersburg?
Whether the Ven. Soma Thero passed away under tragic
induced conditions or due to complications arising from a Diabetic-Cardiac
condition, the name of such a prominent important icon should never ever be used
to settle a personal political vendetta.
People and organisations tend to stoop to such low
levels when all their options have expired, as a desperate move, like in the
case of RanilWm-LTTTE syndrome.
We all know that LTTTE is a spent force. And Ali
Prabha is an “Yesterday’s Man”. One shot fired by the goons of the
Liberation Tiger Terrorists of Tamil Eelam will receive an international
response. Both USA and India are hoping that the LTTTE will make the next and
the final move.
In the meantime, the SLG should hold an impartial
independent enquiry into the full chain of events and the circumstances leading
to the untimely death of Ven. Soma Thero without trying to use the death as a
political and an interdenominational excuse for the benefit of the UNF, to
divide and rule the Sinhala community. The enquiry should be transparent and
results should presented to a Parliamentary Multi-P arty Commission.
MAY VENERABLE SOMA THERA REST IN PEACE AND ATTAIN
NIRVANA!
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