The price for following Jesus in India just went up.

Big-screen infomercial in India discourages conversions – (BP)

The president of the Indian Association of Producers, Artists and Technicians of Short Films and Television Programs, Devendra Khandelwal, said the public service-type short film was made to “educate” cinema audiences about Gujarat’s Freedom of Religion Act of 2003, Compass reported. The law prohibits conversion “by the use of force or allurement or by fraudulent means.”

As described by Compass, the act stipulates that would-be converts must obtain permission from district officials before they convert. Priests or religious officials also must contact district authorities before a conversion takes place. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to imprisonment for up to four years and a maximum fine of 100,000 rupees ($2,294).

What people don’t get is that the cost of "conversion" is much higher than any monetary price. If not handled properly and with respect for the familial ties, especially one’s elders, the price is exclusion from one’s own family, community and society.

What India needs is not more Christian "converts". What it needs is Hindu Christ devotees, who worship only Jesus because He has proven He is worthy of exclusive devotion; and because of their love and commitment to Him they honor their families, their culture, their heritage and their country. Only then will the great news of Abundant Life in Christ spread across India.

I wonder what the American Church — we who claim to follow Jesus in this country — would look like if we had this obstacle?