Entry #2

What should the society do for “uncivilized cultures” like the Sawi?

Frankly, it’s really none of our business to interrupt the circle of life of a group, where traditions were kept over a long period. Both sides of the opposite world are reluctant towards change and aren’t expecting those changes any time soon. What can we do to pluck out a rock stuck on the side of a stream? Who are we to categorize a human being “uncivilized” besides their skin colors? What is the definition of “uncivilized” and what can we, as “civilized people”, do for them to be like us? Also, it isn’t our responsibility to neither take care of them nor support them to be advanced, providing as much education. Statements may seem a bit cynical, but really what I’m exhibiting is a characteristic of pragmatism. When it is so clear that there are enough people suffering from anarchies in Africa or other parts of the world, why should we feel obligated to search for the uncivilized to help them, when we are in such major predicaments? What’s the point of helping the uncivilized when we aren’t civilized enough? What is the difference between slaughtering human flesh and pointing a gun to an innocent child? This entry would just be seen as a wall of rhetorical questionnaires, but these are the shimmers that were compelled as I was pondering about the issue.

What should the society do for “uncivilized culture” like the Sawi, in order for to acknowledge our own “uncivilized culture”?
This would be a better question for me to answer to the expected response.

The Peace Child is more than a simple collection of non-fiction events for it urges the readers to look behind their backs, relating to the world we live where we consider as civil. I was judging the book by its cover literally considering the culture of Sawi as uneducated and limited. But I realized the stupidity in myself where I was being immature not capable of comprehending the larger perspectives that I am ought to acquire. Uneducated person educating another uneducated person. How well would it work?

My culture #1

What factors of your native culture have informed your religious world view? Explain the impact of these factors

It is just utterly amazing to see my parents being such faithful Christians despite their rigid family backgrounds. My mother’s side of the family is composed of non believers and my father’s side of the family is composed of devoted Buddhists. One thing both families have in common is: they are extremely conservative and depend on the traditions that were handed over for several generations. Etiquettes and manners were strictly demonstrated such as kneeling in front of the elders, cooking during the holidays, holding the spoon after the elders held their spoons first, and using appropriate word choices. Although these were some of the barriers that impeded my parents from encountering Jesus earlier, they have found truth amidst of all the disadvantages. They were the black pearls among the whites, which brought them several difficulties because of the clashes between their traditions and their religion; however, now because of the experiences they have gone through, they were able to give me more opportunities to explore in both perspectives. I wouldn’t call myself a Christian just because my parents are, but because of my understanding of limited beliefs and freedom. If my parents were just as same as other family members, I would probably be forced to worship the pictures of my dead ancestors on the table. Religion is more than God worshipping, but it is a liberty that is given to every human being to depend on. Imagining the people who weren’t able to escape their traditions of their cultures saddens me because the limited choices they have in front of them. I hope my relatives would open up and acknowledge the fact that religion is a form of freedom, not a revolution opposing to the conventions nor demonstrating disrespect towards them.

Luke 9:58-60 ‘He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

Families are important. Yes, we know that. We clearly understand, because that was how my parents and I were taught. However, when it came to the choices where God was presented as an option, we had to stand up for our conviction even though it sent us to the point where we couldn’t go back or make reconciliations between our loved ones.