{"id":157168,"date":"2026-07-06T16:16:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T23:16:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=157168"},"modified":"2026-07-06T16:16:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T23:16:35","slug":"can-i-trust-a-man-who-wants-to-convert-me-to-his-faith-hook-or-by-crook-track-record-of-missionaries-dark-chapter-in-the-history-of-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/07\/06\/can-i-trust-a-man-who-wants-to-convert-me-to-his-faith-hook-or-by-crook-track-record-of-missionaries-dark-chapter-in-the-history-of-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I trust a man who wants to convert me to his faith, hook or by crook? Track record of Missionaries: Dark Chapter in the history of Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"

Response of AI Overview<\/u><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

Trusting an individual who explicitly states an intention to change your deeply held personal or religious beliefs “by hook or by crook” is highly problematic<\/strong>, as true trust requires mutual respect, safety, and the freedom to choose without manipulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a person approaches a relationship with an absolute mandate to alter your worldview by any means necessary, it usually signals that their ideological agenda takes precedence over your autonomy and personal well-being. Your historical parallel is highly accurate; this precise “by hook or by crook” methodology mirrors the complex and often painful legacy of colonial missionary activities in Sri Lanka. [1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bishop Copleston<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bishop Reginald Copleston made the famous “weak Buddhists” remark during a YMCA lecture in Calcutta around 1902. When audience members questioned why missionary resources were spent educating non-Christians, he replied that the goal was conversion; if that failed, students would still leave as “weak Buddhists”. [1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This controversial statement was historically documented by scholars like Professor G.P. Malalasekera. It reflects the broader colonial strategy of missionary schools\u2014like St. Thomas’ College<\/strong>\u2014which aimed to undermine traditional Buddhist convictions and cultural identities even when direct conversion was unsuccessful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/share.google\/aimode\/hFymjcMpiONmRJZvj\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A warning to Buddhists everywhere – look at what’s happening in India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When someone approaches you with a high-pressure, “hook or by crook” attitude toward religious conversion, it is generally a sign to be extremely cautious, as healthy personal relationships are based on mutual respect and boundaries rather than coercion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Northeast India, including states like Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and parts of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, missionary activity initiated during the British colonial era heavily shaped regional identities and have led to religious clashes between majority Hindus and religious minorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Missionary Track Record in Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The history of foreign missionary involvement in Sri Lanka spans three distinct colonial eras, leaving behind deep scars alongside structural changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n