How India’s Christian Organizations Are Battling Misinformation

In recent years, misinformation has led to severe consequences for Christians in India, including violence, social unrest and even death.

An example occurred in May 2023 during the ethnic and religious violence in Manipur, where clashes between the majority Hindu Meitei community and the Christian Kuki tribe resulted in tragic casualties and destruction of properties, including over three dozen churches.

In one particularly harrowing incident, a Christian woman was pulled from her car and her son was killed by a Meitei mob amid the ongoing violence, which has been partly fueled by rumors and misinformation within communities.

The conflict forced around 23,000 people, predominantly Christians, to flee their homes as violence escalated in the region, highlighting the deadly impact misinformation can have in a climate of ethnic and religious tension.

The United Christian Forum (UCF), which tracks incidents of hate crimes against Christians, has reported a concerning surge in violence targeting the community. Their 2023 data shows over 687 documented attacks, indicating that approximately two Christians face violence every day across India. This trend underscores an ongoing pattern of hostility affecting the Christian population.

As misinformation continues to challenge communities across India, faith-based organizations are stepping up to promote understanding and counter harmful narratives. Through educational initiatives and distribution of trustworthy information, Christian organizations are playing a crucial role. Their work underscores the importance of navigating such challenges in the digital age.

For example, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has led significant media literacy initiatives. The CCBI Media Apostolate, managed by India’s Latin-rite Catholic Bishops, conducts a three-day training program in Karnataka titled, “Unlocking Communication Excellence: Empowering Dioceses.”

They recently organized a media training program at AVE Studios in Bangalore, designed for deacons to understand the media’s role in evangelization and responsible communication. This program covered a range of topics, including effective digital media use, principles of civil communication, and public relations, all aimed at fostering informed media consumption and reducing misinformation within faith communities.

Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education in collaboration with the CCBI Media Apostolate has also conducted workshops focusing on enhancing communication skills within dioceses, specifically targeting social media literacy. This initiative, held in Karnataka, emphasized understanding media influence on public perception and strategies for addressing misinformation through effective church communication channels.

The Archdiocesan Communications Center in Bangalore, in partnership with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, has consistently promoted media literacy by educating participants on the media’s societal role and training church members on using social media responsibly to counter misinformation.

Several Christian organizations in India have actively promoted interfaith dialogue as part of their efforts to counter misinformation and reduce social tensions.

Additionally, organizations like The United Religions Initiative have been involved in practical interfaith initiatives across India, facilitating community dialogues and providing platforms for religious groups to engage in peace-building efforts.

URI promotes interfaith action addressing shared social issues, thus enhancing unity and peace among diverse communities. Such collaborative interfaith actions help prevent the spread of harmful rumors and misinformation, which often thrive in isolated or divisive environments.

Matteo Mecacci, Director, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, said, “Dialogue allows members of diverse communities to gain insight into each other’s beliefs, practices and values, fostering mutual tolerance and respect and countering stereotypes and prejudices that can lead to intolerance or even violence.”

Several Christian organizations in India have indeed taken active roles in providing print materials such as pamphlets, newsletters and other printed resources to spread reliable information, particularly about social issues, health and public welfare. These materials are widely distributed in their congregations and surrounding communities, ensuring reliable information reaches people without easy access to digital media.

However, it is not just fostering an active dialogue among various communities, but also the medical misinformation that the Christian community plans to fight through various efforts.

At the same time, the Association for Christian Thoughtfulness in Mumbai supports local churches by distributing resources on various topics such as HIV/AIDS and social welfare. ACT focuses on delivering these resources to underserved areas, ensuring communities can access factual information on essential health topics and social issues.

Similarly, Christian Action for India provides resources and assistance to communities, especially in rural regions of Maharashtra and Gujarat, aiming to foster well-informed, healthy communities. They often work alongside churches to provide pamphlets and fact-checked newsletters on public health and social welfare issues.

During the pandemic, churches across India became vital sources of accurate health information, especially in rural and underserved areas. Many Christian organizations worked directly with local communities, distributing government-issued guidelines on COVID-19 prevention, vaccination, and treatment measures.

For example, the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India (UELCI) mobilized its network to disseminate health information and also provided resources like food and financial assistance to those most affected by the lockdowns. This outreach was crucial in countering misinformation and supporting pandemic-related needs among economically vulnerable groups.

Additionally, the Swasth Community Science Alliance (CSA) partnered with churches and other local organizations to provide clear, evidence-based COVID-19 protocols.

They have helped spread guidelines on safe COVID-19 practices and created resources for health workers, focusing on accessible information to prevent health complications in community settings. This was particularly effective for addressing misinformation around COVID-19 treatments and preventive measures in regions with limited healthcare access.

This article was originally published on https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/11/4/how-christian-organizations-in-india-are-battling-misinformation-and-promoting-social-harmony