World Vision wrongly blamed
Rev. Martin Adhikary, Old DOHS, Banani,Dhaka
Reports on the activities of World Vision Bangladesh, an international Christian NGO, published in some national dailies most recently both in Bangla and English, have drawn my attention. The writers of those reports have wrongly blamed the organisation for converting people from other faiths into Christianity. This allegation is without any foundation. If ever there was anyone converted from any other faith in to Christianity, that was as a result of the personal voluntary choice on the part of the person concerned. World Vision is not a church. Any proselytising activity is outside its mandate by any definition. I worked for World Vision Bangladesh for seven years from June 1995 to May 2002, and I personally know for sure that it does not do conversion work, neither does it have anything to do with any organisation or any individual doing any evangelical work in this country. Since 1970, World Vision has been dedicated in Bangladesh in providing emergency relief and rehabilitation help, poverty alleviation, socio-economic empowerment of poor people with holistic and integrated approach and in thrust for sustainable development. Behind all the work of World Vision lies the inspiration from the example of Jesus Christ 's love and compassion for the needy people irrespective of caste, creed, colour or race. World Vision wants that the ethno-spiritual life of its Christian staff is in place so that they can work for the needy people with genuine love and concern as exemplified in the life of the Christ. In order that the spiritual values are sustained, Christian staffs attend Morning prayers and some other activities, adding to their spiritual and ethical values. Non-Christian staffs are never required to attend any of these activities. If any attend that is on a purely voluntary basis.
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