Nepal: Statistics, Geographics & Culture

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

          Nepal is the country of mountains. It is a sovereign, independent and democratic country, but constitutionally Nepal is a Hindu monarchy and non-alienated. Christians have been entering into this land since 1951 for social purposes, not as missionaries.

Geographical background: Geographically the land can be divided into three regions: 1) The big and famous Himalayan and mountain region 2) The valley and plateau area 3) The terrain, or the low land in the south. THe world famous and highest mountain, Mount Everest, which is 8848m., lies in this Country.

Area: Nepal covers 141,000 square kilometers. India and China (Tibet) are neighboring countries to Nepal.

Capital: Katmandu

Population: 23,400,000 people

People Groups: The people groups that make up this population are Indo-Aryan 80%, Tibeto-Burman 18%, and other 0.6%.

Literacy Rate: 46%

Official Language: Nepali

Economy: An isolated sustenance economy. The development of roads, agriculture and social projects has been slow. Main foreign exchange earners and tourism, agriculture and Gorkha soldiers to India and the British. Nepal is heavily dependent on foreign aid and good relations with India and China.

Income: $170 per year, with 40% of the people living the poverty level.

Politics: Political isolation from the outside world ended in 1951. In 1962 the king assumed executive power in the government system with no parties. Massive civil unrest in 1990 brought about extensive liberation, and multi party elections. But during 1994-1995 opposition parties started forming against the ruling government. Unhealthy political practices and corrupted fundamental Communist parties (followers of Mao, China) emerged and they are still underground. These groups have their own armed forces (guerrilla) and they are fighting for constitution changes, constitution monarchy, and total revolution.

Religions: Nepal is the world's only Hindu Kingdom. Hinduism is the state religion with high caste practice and hierarchy system. The practice of a caste system has been omnipresent throughout Nepal from ancient times and is still in place now in the 21st century. Since 1991 there has been freedom for all to profess and practice their religion, but there is not freedom to proselytize. Hindus make up 89% of Nepal's population. The rest of the population is broken up as follows: Buddhists 7%, Muslims 3.6%, and Christians 0.58% with a 13.4% growth.

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN NEPAL

      Christianity was first introduced in Nepal during the 17th century when Italian capuchin priests passed through Nepal en route to Tibet. After returning from their journeys they may have encouraged people in Europe to go to India, Nepal and Tibet. It is believed that they made a base at Patna in Bihar (India) and several went to Katmandu Valley to propagate teh gospel among a local tribe called "newar." As a result, during 1707-1969 AD there were many Christians in Katmandu Valley (the capital of Nepal). But when the king's Gorkha prithvi narayan shah conquered Katmandu Valley, he expelled the foreigners including Christians. Missionary works were continued among the Nepalese who were living outside Nepal. Because of the cry of many Christians, the political system was changed. In 1951 locked doors were opened for Christians to come in but just to do work such as open hospitals, schools, etc. In 1990 democracy was restored, and a new constitution promulgated stating Nepal was a Hindu kingdom which does not permit proselytizing of the gospel.

PRESENT CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY

      Since 1991, Christianity has rapidly increased in numbers but not in quality. There is still persecution by Hindu fundamentalists and radical Maoists. Recently bombs blasted some churches and communist Maoist shut down other churches in remote areas. There is negative perspective from every government that rules in the country. But God is doing miracles. People are being healed both spiritually and physically by the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers are coming to the Lord because of such things. Jesus said "....I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it... (Matthew 16:18). Praise the Lord!

THEOLOGICAL ISSUES

          Most of the people who come to the Lord are from Hindu and Buddhist backgrounds and they are a group of people who tend to emphasize a literal meaning of the Bible. By interpreting the Bible in such a way there is the danger that the new Nepali Christian will become too extreme in their thinking. This type of extremist tends to think that now that they are a Christian that whatever they do is good, and pure, and right and everyone else is wrong.

          At the same time there is another group of people who oppose these extremists. This group wants to continue all of the Hindu cultural and traditional practices along with Christianity. Every culture is good and pure because God is master of all good things. But in the context of the Hindu culture almost all the culture and traditions are related to the Hindu gods, the god's significance and meanings. Therefore, this kind of thought can lead the newly established Nepali Christian into syncretism. Therefore there needs to be a balance of teaching and intellectual manpower.

NEED OF INTELLECTUAL MANPOWER
FROM BACKWARD PEOPLE

          Most of the believers are converted from Hindu and Buddhist backgrounds as I have mentioned previously. Even though these people are now Christians, because of their background they bring into the church the idea of who should be in leadership, even leadership within the church. Very rarely are there leaders within the church that come from a lower caste of people group even though they are capable of it. Even now there are those who have a high cast background that do not want to allow their sons and daughters to marry into a lower caste even though both are Christians.

          These people from a lower class are not only put down by the secular world, but also the Christian world. Educationally there are underprivileged, in leadership and political situations they are defuse and socially they are despoiled/discriminated and all of this even though they are the majority of the population.

          Because they are the majority, the people of the lower casts have become a target for those wanting to be elected for office. The politicians make promises to the lower cast to get their votes,but once in office their pledges become ancient history. Likewise, in the Christian circles when visitors from abroad come and visit the Nepali churches these same lower class people now become the hero and heroin of every camera as teh visitors take pictures. When the opportunity arises the foreigner will try to explain the situation of the lower class, but this does no good because these people are powerless to change anything.

          Therefore, my question is this: "Who is the main cause of this social problem?" The answer is easy. The first main cause is the devil. The second main cause is all those in the elite group. In both secular and Christian groups the backward people are seen as people that you hire and fire. This is the elimination of our Lord's teaching. Therefore, we have a voice from Nepal and from the Heavens that will help US!

OBJECTIVES

          (1) To provide backward people excellent theological as well as secular education inside the country as well as abroad. This would be one of the vital tools needed to end the cast problem and discrimination in the society.
          (2) To provide training so that the skills and talents of the backward people may be utilized by the individual to provide a good income and living standard for their family. To provide both a national and international market for their manual production (e.g. they are skillful in making bags, trousers, T-shirts, Bible covers etc.)
          (3) Help them understand their potential within themselves. Make them aware that they are able to use available resources. Help them to know their rights and that they are capable to be leaders, but not only in their communities, but at a national level as well.
          (4) Help them to know that they are an important person made by God, and in His sight there is not discrimination.
          (5) To provide them spiritual assistance and guidance. Show them the love and compassion that Jesus Christ has for deprived people groups so that the name of God might be glorified among the Nepali people.