It is hard to determine who have “uncivilized cultures”. But we know there are cultures around the world that are isolated and unrecognized in the world’s spotlight. There are perhaps hundreds of ‘uncivilized cultures’ like the Sawi, prevalent around the world that we haven’t even heard of. What should society do for them? Do we just let them be who they are and act as if nothing is happening in their disintegrating culture?
We are at the time of history when tribes like the Sawi can be influenced by the others. We should teach them what we value in the world and show them how we practice our faiths. Before doing this we should learn and experience the ‘uncivilized cultures’ just like what Don Richardson did. We don’t expect them to transform suddenly because we know how difficult accepting a whole new culture and I know this because I have experienced twice in my lifetime; when I went to Malaysia and Switzerland. The cultural shock I felt is incomparable to what the Sawi must have felt. It may take long for them to accept the reality and we shouldn’t doubt that there will be any changes to these people but we must have patience, faith and trust. They will slowly acknowledge and become ‘civilized’
“The advanced enforces the behind or the behind resist the advanced” We are not telling them that our culture is right and that theirs is wrong. We are not demanding for them to abandon their culture and faiths. We are not forcing them to become just like us. We just want what is the best for them because we have compassion and respect towards their culture. There may be obstacles, disrupting our guidance but our passion and patience will overcome whatever stands in front of us.
We are at the time of history when tribes like the Sawi can be influenced by the others. We should teach them what we value in the world and show them how we practice our faiths. Before doing this we should learn and experience the ‘uncivilized cultures’ just like what Don Richardson did. We don’t expect them to transform suddenly because we know how difficult accepting a whole new culture and I know this because I have experienced twice in my lifetime; when I went to Malaysia and Switzerland. The cultural shock I felt is incomparable to what the Sawi must have felt. It may take long for them to accept the reality and we shouldn’t doubt that there will be any changes to these people but we must have patience, faith and trust. They will slowly acknowledge and become ‘civilized’
“The advanced enforces the behind or the behind resist the advanced” We are not telling them that our culture is right and that theirs is wrong. We are not demanding for them to abandon their culture and faiths. We are not forcing them to become just like us. We just want what is the best for them because we have compassion and respect towards their culture. There may be obstacles, disrupting our guidance but our passion and patience will overcome whatever stands in front of us.
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Seung Min
I totally agree to what you have said. Many times missionaries go into new places and regions and try to force upon their faith and religion on the group of people who have a whole different culture. I think that this is totally wrong because it's very hard to get a grasp of a new culture or faith. Like you have said, Missionaries should go into these cultures, like Don Richardson, and start learning the culture and use their own culture to benefit when teaching this new principle they have never heard of. This would make it a lot easier when converting someone's faith or culture. Also, missionaries should never force a faith by saying that it is the right way and that their ways of life is wrong because this might just upset the people and make them deny the missionaries more. Rather they should tell them that there are alternate ways of living life and that it may be easier for them. Ulitmately I think what you have said in this entry is very right in how missionaries and societies should help these more uncivilized cultures.
Haichan Park said...
December 31, 2008 at 4:34 AM