Dear Readers,

Greetings to you from the Synod of the Church of North India.

Currently the nation is engaged in the debate on the issue of Homosexuality and the debate has once again been generated by the recent judgment of the Delhi High Court dated 2nd July 2009 in the writ petition no. 7455/2001 filed by the Naz Foundation, a non-Governmental Organization challenging the constitutional validity of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The Section 377 of the IPC, framed in 1860, defines homosexuality as a crime. The Hon’ble Delhi High Court in their Judgment of 2nd July 2009 has declared that section 377 IPC, insofar it criminalizes is violative of Articles 21, 14 and 15 of the Indian Constitution. The Court has just given their opinion and has not struck down or removed the section 377 as some people believe. The Hon’ble Supreme Court also did not interfere with the judgment of the Delhi High Court and has given eight weeks time to the Central Government for clarification. Now ball is in the court of the Parliament and through media reports we know that three central ministries, namely Law, Home and the Health are involved in discussion to arrive at the consensus. One very interesting issue noticed in the Court judgment that the Court has relied their opinion on the underlying theme of the Indian Constitution; it is that of “inclusiveness”. The inclusiveness that the Indian Society traditionally displayed, literally in every aspect of life, is manifest in recognizing a role in society for everyone. Where society can display inclusiveness and understanding such persons can be assured of a life of dignity and non-discrimination. 

It is heartening to note that the Hon’ble Delhi Court has taken the stand on the principle of “inclusiveness” so that everyone is assured of a life of dignity and non-discrimination. While we welcome this approach of “inclusiveness” there are still large section of Indian population, viz; Dalits, Adivashis, Women and religious and linguistic minorities are forced to become victims of isolation and face discrimination, thereby they are deprived of equal access to social and economic opportunities. The case of Christian dalits in India can be cited as a strong case of exclusion and deprivation for last fifty-nine years due to the discriminatory law of Scheduled caste Order of 1950. 

The crucial word for us is “inclusive.” We believe that inclusiveness is central to “the real meaning of Christianity.” The church is not an exclusive club as it exists for others. Therefore Church must be inclusive because Jesus was inclusive. Jesus loved us unconditionally. He had an unconditional love of all humanity, allowing for no outcast in this community as he built the true religion, a religion of inclusion and wisdom. 

However, to interpret the unconditional love of God in Christ as some sort of “absolute inclusiveness” is a mistake. God invites all people into relationship with himself. But entry into this relationship and maintenance of this relationship depend on such things as repentance, faith in Jesus, and a life of “walking in the light” (1 John 1:5-9). 

Two of our members of the Editorial Board of the North India Church Review have written very profound articles on the subject of “Homosexuality” in the August 2009 issue of the North India Church Review and I hope that our readers will surely find them useful in understanding the issue. We will surely solicit your reaction, views or comments. My intention in this letter is just to urge all of you to develop the spirit of accommodation in this pluralistic society so that all may have life, a life of dignity and without any discrimination.

Yours in His Mission ,  

Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan

General Secretary

The Synod of the Church of North India