Why Are Religious Conversions on the Rise in Tribal Areas?

Religious Conversions: A Tribal Reality

Systemic neglect is resulting in growing religious conversions in tribal areas. Tribes are marginalized by the fact that governments do not provide them with basic amenities. Missionary groups rush in and begin to secure education and health care and economic support, developing dependency. Often these efforts, humanitarian by all means, come with religious conditions. Without such state intervention such groups can fill the void, with conversion appearing to be such an attractive option for struggling communities.
 

Economic Hardships Drive Change

Religious conversion is being pushed for by poverty as a major factor among tribes. The reason people have to get external help is because many tribal regions lack sustainable livelihoods. Faith based adoptions are subtly linked through religious organizations that provide financial aid, jobs and resources. Cultural resistance is overcome and the act of survival trumps everything when it comes to making a conversion, despite everything: killing that man, shaming that family, the costs society incurs in doing so. The accelerated way that indigenous beliefs are abandoned in favour of religion happens when survival is at stake and ideological loyalty becomes secondary.

Political Apathy Fuels the Trend

Traditional tribal influences are losing their hold on people. Those of younger generations that received modern education and media begin to question ancestrally held practices. This disconnect, however, is exploited by missionaries, who dress up their faith as progressive and empowering. Without keeping up those things, it erodes tribal identity and conversion feels like an upgrade. A decaying indigenous spirituality makes room for imported beliefs when there is no pride in heritage.
 

Political Apathy Fuels the Trend

Politics has its own importance and if politicians work for vote banks they forget to adhere to tribal welfare. The indifference allows for religious groups to operate unchecked. The laws against forced conversions exist, but aren’t really enforced. There is no political will to maintain tribal autonomy and consequently conversion campaigns operate a free hand. Until governance of tribes is improved, tribes will continue to be vulnerable to ideological exploitation.

The Way Forward: Empowerment Over Exploitation

To stop religious conversions we must go to the root of what's causing them, poverty, the need for education and the preservation of culture. Tribal development must not be made with religious strings attached; governments should invest in it. Firming up land rights, education and healthcare will do away with dependency on the missionaries. Cultural programs must be created to re-instill tribal pride. This trend can only be reversed if tribes can start to economically and socially participate as people, rather than automatically being the last line of defense against wealthy developers.