Theology Class

Shekhawat narrates his church experience

After attending yesterday’s church service for Bijoy Gupta’s deceased daughter, Shekhawat turned the Club into a theology class today. It was the first time in life he had entered a church. And being there a good half-hour before time, he was witness to the Christian ritual of ‘confessions’ to the holy pastor of the church.
Intrigued by the practice, Shekhawat brought up the subject this morning, first to Arun Patil and then to Razia Khan – only to draw a blank. In his wildest imagination, he could not figure out the compulsions of a sinner making an honest confession to another mortal. Arun simply dismissed Shekhawat saying that he “misunderstood the whole thing”.
Later on, Shekhawat raised the subject before Yusuf Rassiwala, Siba Prasad Maitra and others, even enacting how the pastor sat impassive on a chair, not uttering a word, while the so-called sinner knelt beside him and did all the talking into his ear.

Siba Prasad Maitra chats with Banoo Apa

“What is the purpose of this ritual?” Shekhawat wanted to know.
The explanation that confessing is the first step to atonement and that Jesus had died on the cross for the sins of man somehow, made no sense to Shekhawat.
Both Yusuf R and Maitra told him that confessions were an integral part of the Christian faith and that he need not bother about it.
But Shekhawat’s takeaway from the discussion was that one could well be a repeat offender and get away with every possible sin so long as a confession was made. “Otherwise, why does the Father not warn, or at least, advise the sinner on mending his ways?” Shekhawat argued.
On a happier note, Maitra was to inform that his daughter’s wedding has been fixed for April 20. “The counting of days has begun,” he said. “The main ceremony shall be in Calcutta as most of my relatives are there. I will have a separate reception for you all in Mumbai. Let me decide on the date and venue. All members of Big Laaf will be invited.”

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
All religions have their own rituals. We should respect them. There is no need to elaborate on this.