The Missionary Enterprise in South
and Southeast Asia
q The world religions of Islam and Hinduism
were difficult foes.
q Italian Jesuit Robert Di Nobli during the 1660s
unsuccessfully attempted to win converts
among upper-caste members through study of
Sanskrit and Indian culture.
q General conversion occurred only in isolated
regions like the northern Philippines.
q Once conquered the government turned
indigenous peoples over to missionary orders.
q Converted Filipino leaders led their peoples
into European ways, but traditional beliefs
remained strong within the converts' to
Christianity.