History of Christians in Nepal || नेपाली ख्रिष्टियन इतिहास जुन कसैले रोक्न सकेन || скачать в хорошем качестве

History of Christians in Nepal || नेपाली ख्रिष्टियन इतिहास जुन कसैले रोक्न सकेन ||

#BlessingNepal Early Contact with Christianity (16th-19th centuries) 16th Century: Christian missionaries first made contact with the region that is now Nepal through the Portuguese and Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Jesuit missionaries were among the earliest to enter the broader South Asian region. However, the Christian presence in Nepal was minimal during this period, as the country was largely isolated due to its rugged terrain and strict monarchy. 19th Century: Nepal remained closed to most foreign influences, including Christianity, due to the isolationist policies of the Shah dynasty, which ruled Nepal. Despite this, the influence of European colonial powers in neighboring India brought some awareness of Christianity to the region. Early 20th Century: Limited Presence (1900–1950s) Missionary Efforts: In the early 20th century, Christian missionaries from different denominations, including Catholic and Protestant groups, began to show interest in Nepal. However, they were still largely confined to India and other parts of South Asia. Challenges: Nepal's policies of religious and cultural conservatism, combined with the isolationist stance of the monarchy, made it difficult for missionaries to work openly within the country. Proselytizing or converting people to Christianity was officially prohibited, and Nepal maintained a strict Hindu state identity. Mid-20th Century: Gradual Expansion (1950s–1980s) Opening of Nepal: The political climate began to change after 1951 when the Rana regime ended, and Nepal opened up to the outside world. The subsequent establishment of a parliamentary democracy in 1959 allowed for greater contact with foreign groups, including religious organizations. First Christian Missionaries: In the 1950s and 1960s, Christian missionaries, particularly from the United States and Europe, began to work more openly in Nepal, primarily focusing on educational and medical work. Catholic and Protestant missionaries, including groups like the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, and other Protestant denominations, set up schools and hospitals in various parts of the country. Legal Restrictions: Despite some improvements in the political environment, conversion to Christianity remained illegal under the country's laws. The monarchy still strongly supported Hinduism as the state religion, and proselytization was forbidden. Growth and Legal Challenges (1990s–2000s) The 1990 People’s Movement: A turning point for religious freedom in Nepal came with the 1990 People’s Movement (Jana Andolan), which led to the overthrow of the absolute monarchy and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy with greater political freedoms. This paved the way for greater religious freedom, and it became somewhat easier for Christian groups to organize and operate in the country. Increasing Christian Population: During this period, Christianity began to spread more rapidly, especially in rural areas. Many Nepali Christians were drawn to the faith through missionary work, and the growth of evangelical and Pentecostal churches was particularly notable. The Christian community grew in size, with estimates in the 2000s placing the Christian population at around 1-2% of the total population (approximately 200,000-300,000 people). Controversy over Conversion: In the late 1990s and early 2000s, tension began to rise between Christian groups and the government. Converts to Christianity were sometimes targeted by Hindu nationalist groups, and there were periodic reports of harassment and social ostracism. In 1990, a law was passed making proselytization illegal, and this law was enforced sporadically.