Listening to NPR on the way to work [for the last time, the car goes back to CT tomorrow morning] I heard a short piece on volunteers from America over in the tsunami ravaged countries of SE Asia. The piece focused mainly on voluntourists, those spending a short period of time there, helping out and having a pseudo-vacation on the cheap. And they ended the piece talking about a Christian group who went there to build houses... and spread the gospel.
This group of high schoolers from the U.S. [I can't remember their name] is over there to build a house for an Indonesian Christian man. After they're done they said they were going to talk to a group of Buddhists. A high school girl was interviewed and she said [paraphrased]:
The people of Indonesia have lived their lives believing in spirits, asking spirits to protect their people and their land and now, the spirits they prayed to have let them down. We're here to show them how Jesus Christ will look after them and that he will not let them down.I just wanted to get on a plane over to Indonesia to find this girl and scream into her face "Are you fucking crazy?!" And with Chris Rock's permission, shake the shit out of her. What kind of ignorant bullshit is that? What is she learning in this group of hers? Does she not forget the millions upon millions of Christians who have died during the last two millenia since Christianity was founded? Buddhism has a longer history than Christianity. And as far as I can recall, Buddhists don't wage war against each other with both sides claiming that God is on their side.
Maybe groups like these should concentrate on saving themselves.
Amen, brother. Those who seek to convert should look inward. I have always found those who are most spiritual don't need to tell others, it shows. Those who have to "convert" others are always missing something...like a soul.
Posted by: Frank | July 22, 2005 at 10:00 AM
It is scary how evangelicals have a glossed over righteousness when they talk. It is as if they are the only people in the room that believe they are right and that are saved.
Posted by: Ajayi | July 22, 2005 at 10:13 AM
I think it is great that they are trying to help rebuild houses [they were admittedly bad at doing so], but to do so with an ulterior motive to save the infidels/pagans/savages with the scripture they happen to think is true is just bullshit. I have no problems with an open discussion and all, but to force it down their throats, disgusting.
Later in the NPR segment, it was said that the locals appreciated the help, but that the help these little groups were offering weren't doing much, but rather, the money they all spent while in Indonesia was what was really helping. So maybe they should be selling bibles and donating money instad of their hot air.
Posted by: albert | July 22, 2005 at 10:20 AM
i heard the same piece, albert. i actually laughed when i heard the very same bit you quoted. here's why. as the missionary said:
The people of Indonesia have lived their lives believing in spirits, asking spirits to protect their people and their land and now, the spirits they prayed to have let them down. We're here to show them how Jesus Christ will look after them and that he will not let them down.
remember, this woman was rebuilding the house of a christian man. apparently, jesus christ let him down.
where do they find these people?
Posted by: upyernoz | July 22, 2005 at 02:30 PM
ha. noz- with the absurdity of her comment, i think the fact that they were rebuilding the house of a christian man flew right past my ears. perhaps it was just to rediculous for my brain to process.
and don't even get me started on the areas of the united states that get hit by hurricanes and their voting habits.
Posted by: albert | July 22, 2005 at 02:53 PM