Christianity

Christianity, mainly Baptist, claims to about 45,000 people, which is especially strong in the own of Khonsa and West Siang. The coming of modernism, and the close geographical location with the Christian states of Nagaland has led to a sudden rise of the Christian population from less than 1% of the population in 1981 to approximately 8% of the state’s population by 2001.

Other sources, notably from American-based Christian missionaries, claimed that as high as 20% of the state population adhere to Christianity, an alleged fact that many of the tribal groups could have practiced Christianity and the traditional Donyi-Polo religion at the same time, or have been influenced by Christianity. Other sources that states the Christian populations as low as 5% is possible as well.

The majorty of the Christian population is belongs to the immigrant population, including missionaries, all over from India. However, a significant minority belongs to the scheduled tribes. Of these, sizeable minorities of Christians can be found among the Naga Nocte. Smaller minorities can also be found among the Assamese Nishi, Apatani, Wancho, Tangsa and Adi.

According to anthropologists, around 10-20% of Tirap, West Siang and Papumpare have converted to Christianity. However, a large proportion of the Christians, contributes to the missionary immigrants from Kerala and Nagaland. In 1978, a loose law was framed to regulate the conversions, although it was tightened in response to the mass conversions.

The process of Westernization, and decline of traditional religions through fanatical Christian proselytisation by means of tactics such as charity, human rights and educational brainwashing. As the Animist religions that elaborate rich and unique cultures declines with the advent of modernism, will both benefit and harm the isolated and conservative but gullible people of Arunachal Pradesh to the embracement towards the modern Western world, which would result in the process of acculturalisation. In response to massive conversions, Hindu missionaries and an anti-conversion law have been drawn up recently.