There are many countries, states, cultures, religions and languages. If there was only one of each the world would be an extremely boring place to live in. Culture should be respected and kept. Without culture, there would be no variety and colour in the world. Now days with uniformity taking over the world and English the auxiliary language there are languages, cultures, world views and priceless interesting historical facts being lost.
When confronted with a new culture. One must respect it as they are new and different to that culture and hence they have no right to judge. If they want to fit in they should learn the foreign language instead of trying to educate the people about their own. Culture consists of traditions, ceremonies, legends, art, music, folklore, supernatural beliefs and many other things. Obviously, people cannot be left to suffer if their culture is harmful (for example cannibalism,) instead they need to be corrected. However, all the culture must be recorded with detail and a whole new view must not be forced on them. I dislike the way all countries are becoming westernized as I think that would make the world a really boring place to live in. For example; when people get married many no longer wear their traditional attire instead they would rather have their bride in a white dress dream come true. Even though I was born and brought up in India I can hardly speak my own languages. I feel really ashamed and sad because that makes me one more person who helped in the loss of culture. However, I came to South Korea and since I love the culture and the language I would love to fit in. I am trying to learn some Korean even though I am going at ‘snail pace’ I am at least trying. I do not like it when people visit countries and then complain about how the people are illiterate because they cannot speak English. I do not like it when people move into areas that were left untouched by their culture and try to take over and change aspects of that culture. For example: how the English tortured the Red Indians and destroyed a lot of their culture to try and impose their beliefs; whether right or wrong. Overall we cannot always have the world as we would like it to be "We must have strong minds ready to accept facts as they are; rather than how we would like them to be.”. However, if we do not accept them we must not insult them. We must respect people as they are human just like you and they have their own view just like you do, they think their view is right just as you would think about your own. From my own experience it is not nice being left out just because you are not from the same cultural background. Hence when others are new to your culture it is basic manners to accept them and make them feel ‘at home’ instead of treating them as if they are unwanted.
When confronted with a new culture. One must respect it as they are new and different to that culture and hence they have no right to judge. If they want to fit in they should learn the foreign language instead of trying to educate the people about their own. Culture consists of traditions, ceremonies, legends, art, music, folklore, supernatural beliefs and many other things. Obviously, people cannot be left to suffer if their culture is harmful (for example cannibalism,) instead they need to be corrected. However, all the culture must be recorded with detail and a whole new view must not be forced on them. I dislike the way all countries are becoming westernized as I think that would make the world a really boring place to live in. For example; when people get married many no longer wear their traditional attire instead they would rather have their bride in a white dress dream come true. Even though I was born and brought up in India I can hardly speak my own languages. I feel really ashamed and sad because that makes me one more person who helped in the loss of culture. However, I came to South Korea and since I love the culture and the language I would love to fit in. I am trying to learn some Korean even though I am going at ‘snail pace’ I am at least trying. I do not like it when people visit countries and then complain about how the people are illiterate because they cannot speak English. I do not like it when people move into areas that were left untouched by their culture and try to take over and change aspects of that culture. For example: how the English tortured the Red Indians and destroyed a lot of their culture to try and impose their beliefs; whether right or wrong. Overall we cannot always have the world as we would like it to be "We must have strong minds ready to accept facts as they are; rather than how we would like them to be.”. However, if we do not accept them we must not insult them. We must respect people as they are human just like you and they have their own view just like you do, they think their view is right just as you would think about your own. From my own experience it is not nice being left out just because you are not from the same cultural background. Hence when others are new to your culture it is basic manners to accept them and make them feel ‘at home’ instead of treating them as if they are unwanted.
The Sawi culture was rare and one of its own. However it had some major aspects that needed to be changed. ‘Do not kill’ is not only one of the Ten Commandments but it must be one of your basic morals as well. They did not only kill people, they ate them as well. This goes against everything. It shows no respect what so ever for people, relationships or life. Passion comes from relationship and without that there is no way to live a proper live or gain a connection with God. The word of God must spread but it must not be forced upon them. God created each of us in his image does that not mean that they were eating God’s image every time they ate someone? The fact that they ate humans does not disgust me as I have heard about it many a time before, it’s just that I cannot comprehend how they would find eating a human normal and how they were comfortable with killing and viewed each death with pride and boasted about it as if it were a trophy. Instead of mourning at the death of a fellow human being, they celebrated their victory with song and dance. I think that people need to live their life with satisfaction. God is surely a part of my life; hence, I think that they do need God to be introduced to them. However, they must not be forced or tortured into believing. “Each time a language or culture is lost, we loose an irreplaceable and exquisite way of being. Each time a well-loved building is torn down without a trace, or a gathering place paved over, a strand of culture is frayed.”
Citations
Quote from: http://www.earthministry.org/3e/pmap/culture.htm
"We must have strong minds ready to accept facts as they are; rather than how we would like them to be." Harry S. Truman
Quote from: http://www.earthministry.org/3e/pmap/culture.htm
"We must have strong minds ready to accept facts as they are; rather than how we would like them to be." Harry S. Truman
picture from : http://www.visitmaui.com/MauiHwnCulture.jpg
2 comments:
Interesting post Danika. I think there is definitely a fine balance between "corrections" that can be made with a culture and then trying to make it more like our own culture. I agree that cultures are disintegrating at an alarming rate and we are becoming a strange blend of cultures that just aren't quite as flavorful or strong as they once were. I also feel ashamed that I do not speak the langauge of the land I grew up in. I feel your pain and I know the sick feeling I get when I think about it. Hopefully you can rectify that in the future! There is always time and you are still young.
I think you will find it interesting how the Sawi eventually open up to the Gospel...It's not quite what you'll expect. I'll be interested to hear whether you think it was forced or not.
Danika!
This is my second time reading ur blog, and I have to say that my favorite part of your blog is the quote at the end."Each time a language or culture is lost, we loose an irreplaceable and exquisite way of being. Each time a well-loved building is torn down without a trace, or a gathering place paved over, a strand of culture is frayed.”I think that this quote really connects and sums up your blog. I never thought that using a quote to end something could be so powerful.
<3 Pritha
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