Entry #9

In class Discussion Question = Can traditions be broken completely? Support/provide answers. 

Traditions can be broken, although some traditions are harder to break than others. Traditions that have been passed done through years and generations are very important to a group of people because these traditions shape a group of peoples daily lives, beliefs, and values. Also, because traditions are very sensitive topics, it is hard to present new ways of thinking/beliefs. 

A good example of traditions being broken is the Sawi tribe. Before Don and his wife went to the Sawi they viewed things like cannabalism as acceptable. But, after Don presented his faith in God to these people they realized the truth and changed their practices that had occurred for thousands of years. 

So, traditions can be broken ... but, I think that it is really hard to brake traditions because they shape who we are in a sense. Sometimes, when traditions are broken there are still aspects of that tradition that carry on in a persons actions or words. Because traditions are something that develop habits and personality it is very difficult to completely wipe out all of these habits/traditions. Also, a culture or tradition may be prodominently bad or corrupt (for example the Sawi), it still may have beneficial or right. A tradition can be corrupt but still have fundamental aspects/qualities that even I can learn from. 

Blogs I've commented on: 

1) Brain's Blog - https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=38699919&postID=1263090942445939846

2) Danika's Blog - https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=240105101800209415&postId=5789305248257876670 

3) Hye Jin's Blog - https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2791288142035994894&postID=1643915179443120602 

4) Jin's Blog - https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=1770592867452809715&postID=3349699706877322077 

5) Pritha's Blog - https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5381105693862748285&postID=5075138219801329298

6) Lucia's Blog - https://blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6574048670712760777&postID=2464900862300602426 

Entry #8

Question = How did Christianity change this culture? 

Christianity had a huge impact on this culture in so many aspects. Not only did it change their beliefs but it changed their fundamentally background, culture, viewpoints, and worldview. After missionaries approached these people with the gospel some were changed, some weren't. In Don Richardson's case many of the Sawi tribe were drastically impacted by the message he was sent to bring. His message of God's love for us and Jesus' sacrifice on the cross brought about a new way of thinking and caused many hearts to be changed. God's message and word is so powerful that it brought down hundreds of thousands of years of traditions and customs. Jesus changed this culture from a cannibalistic, revenge hungry tribe to a friendly, accepting group of people. 

I cannot comprehend growing up in a tribe and having believed in something all your life.. not knowing there is something greater out there, and then all of a sudden, a group of people you have never seen before come and tell you the truth that you have been looking for your entire life. I think it would be extremely difficult to change or even accept what these new people have to say based on your history and culture that has survived for thousands of years. I still can't believe how many people converted to Christianity but, God's love is amazing and works in crazy ways sometimes. 

Anyways... I guess in summary, Christianity changed to Sawi tribe, their culture, customs, traditions, beliefs, worldview, and each one of the Sawi tribe's members hearts were changed and came to know Jesus/God and His love for them. 

Entry #7

Question = What does Jesus want us to do for the Sawi? 

I passionately believe that Jesus solely wants us to show love to other people and preach the word of God; a good example of this would be the Sawi. 

What Don Richardson did for this people group was absolutely amazing. He approached ministry at a whole different level than what was being done at that time. He took their culture into perspective, their history, even their religion, and let them make the decision. Instead of forcing religion on them, he showed the love of his God through his actions towards them. Don Richardson slowly changed the hearts of the Sawi by first, living with them and engrossing himself and his family in their daily lives, bringing medicine to cure their illnesses, and most of all, bringing God and his truth to them. By doing these little things, Don Richardson made a huge difference in transitioning the Sawi from false gods to the one and only God and from their stone-age society to the developed world today. 

Like Don Richardson, we should show God's love and faithfulness throughout our everyday lives. By doing simple acts of kindness we can change people's hearts and minds and show them the truth of God. 

Therefore, Jesus wants us to simply go to people we do not believe (ex. The Sawi) show them God's love and serve them with all of our being. 

Matthew 10:5-10, "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals of a staff; for the worker is worth his keep." 

Entry #6

Question = How does Faith relate to the world in which we live? 

Faith is everywhere. It is something that is in every person, something that lives among us and effects us all on a daily basis. So many people have so many different religions, some choose their religions but others are born/forced into a religion. Religion does not necessarily relate to faith because someone can have a religion but not necessary have faith in that religion. On the other hand, faith can be exceptionally powerful if you have a strong faith in your religion. 

I think that faith shapes who we are and the perspective that we view/see the world and thus, drastically affects the world in which we live in. 

When I grew up in a public scho

ol (before moving to a Christian school) I was the only Christian in my grade. I was completely shocked when I realized I was the only one that believed in God. I had to adjust and I think that that experience really affected my view of faith today. Because I was surrounded by tones of children that did not know any Bible stories or what prayer even was, I kept my beliefs to myself. I did not want to be cast as an outsider. At this time I started hanging out with more of the guys in my grade, they were much more expecting than any other the girls. In 2nd grade a new girl came to my grade, all I can remember about her is that she had long blonde hair and the first thing she told our class was that she was a Christian. After I heard this I was immediately interested in getting to know her more. We talked, and I found that having faith and being able to share it with others is such a satisfying feeling. I felt like I had finally found a true friend at that school because we had the same foundation and upbringing. Later that year she moved to a different school but I will never forget that experience. 

Through her, I learned that faith varies and that being able to confide in someone else with your beliefs gives you a complete feeling. Also, from growing up in a public school where lots of bullying happened (especially to me because of my beliefs), I put up a wall. A wall towards people knowing about my faith and because of that I have never been very outspoken about my beliefs in general. I prefer to show my faith through actions instead of words.

 I don't like to cause a lot of conflict because of faith or other peoples religions. I believe in what I believe in because I know it is true and I don't want to criticize other people for having different beliefs/faith than I do because that is their choice. 

Entry #5

Question = What should we do when we are confronted with other cultures? 

"People of different religions and cultures live side by side in almost every part of the world, and most of us have overlapping identities which unite us with very different groups. We can love what we are, without hating what - and who - we are not. We can thrive in our own tradition, even as we learn from others, and come to respect their teachings." 

-Kofi Anna, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations

Throughout history and even today cultures are very much valued and quite sensitive topics. Korea is a very good example of a culture that has withstood oppression and times of struggle but, through everything that has happened, they have still maintained many traditions and one of the strongest will-powers I have ever seen. From history and the strength or sometimes weakness of our heritage, people have formed into the specific culture that they are today. A contrasting example to Korea is Japan. Today, so much of the Japanese culture has been lost because of modern influence and technology. Not to say it has lost its culture in every aspect, but it is quite obvious that Japan is not the country 

that it used to be.

 Some would say this is a benefit while others would say that it is a negative because, young people (especially teenagers) growing up in Japan do not have the same perspective, lifestyle, habits, and values that once shaped their culture completely. 

Anyways.. for me in particular I have had so many experiences were I have been hurt by others because of my background. I still cannot understand why someone/a group of people could hate you because of where you

 come from. In so many cases people generalize a culture or a specific community and label them all as "lazy or stupid" when, in actuality, they know nothing about those people's hearts and what they are truly living for. 

From my own experiences, and how other people have sometimes treated me, I have learned that when culture or a persons background is involved, that you should not judge them based on prior knowledge/rumors. It is vital to be aware of their understandings, religion, history, and be able to accept them for who they are, not for what their culture is labeled as. So, I think that when we are confronted with different cultures we should keep an open mind and first get to know a person before making any judgments or assumptions about them, and who knows.. maybe they will turn out to be your best friend. 

Entry #4

Question = What does God expect us to do for other cultures and faiths? 

Culture, faith, beliefs, and religion are such sensitive topics to so many people groups. This can be evident through historical events and society today. Personally, I have had many experiences related to faith and bringing the gospel to other people groups. One prime example of this happened to me during a missions trip to Thailand. A group of teachers, friends/students, and myself went to Thailand during my freshman year and while I was there I felt an overwhelming love from God. I could feel his presence while we worked and played with the children. Through feeling his love I knew that my main mission was to simply show His love through my actions. Hopefully, by showing the love of God through my actions and words the children and even adults could come to know Him deeper. 

Throughout the Bible God indicates that love is the most powerful weapon we can use. He also expects us to approach different cultures with an open-mind, willingness to serve, and above all LOVE. 

I think that it is very important to not force a religion or belief on someone and give the free-will. God gave us free-will to believe in Him or not by giving us the ultimate choice to eat the apple or to trust in Him. We have all ultimately failed the test but, He loved us so much to give us a second chance and offer us forgiveness. By doing this we all have a second chance and the choice to follow His laws and commands or to fall deeper into sin and regret. From the example that God has set for us, I think we can come to understand that this is how we should seek to be, especially when approaching other cultures and faiths. The most that we can do is simply show God's love through our actions and hopefully, by doing this simple act, people will, one by one, realize that he is the supreme King of our world and our hearts. 

God calls us to love one another as ourselves and to serve Him with all of our hearts, souls, and minds and through His commands/teachings, we can approach different cultures with an objective to show His love and not try to force people to believe, but to simply give them the option. God calls us to serve all and love all under all circumstances and whatever burden He gives to us to carry. 

Deuteronomy 10:12, "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." 

2 Corinthians 9:13, "Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 

2 Samuel 22:3, "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." 

Entry 3 Response (#8)

Question = What do mission organizations do for these people? 

After reading Don Richardson's writing about, "Do Missionaries Destroy Cultures," I was shocked by the methods/practices that have happened in secluded tribes. I think it is ironic that a Christian would act in such extreme ways and, at times, not be sensitive to the culture, their background, and previous religion. I think that when you are embarking on such a mission, it is necessary to fully understand as much as you can about their culture and it is also very important to put yourself in their shoes; to look at things from their perspective and not force a group of people to convert but instead to present the Bible and let God do the rest. Doing the opposite of how God intends for us to spread/preach the

 gospel results in sin (murder, anger, etc.), in most circumstances. Some good examples of how NOT to approach new cultures with the gospel were mentioned in the short story. Although these missionaries had very good intentions, they were not sensitive to the cultures religion or traditions and this drastically affected how the tribe/group of people responded to the Bible and in almost all of these situations, it resulted in devastating change. 

Don Richardson is an exceptional example of a missionary that took all the aspects of a culture and made drastic change over a period of time through small actions that made people ask questions and eventually grow closer to God. 

To show the tribe/group of people that they (referring to the missionaries) were there to help them, they would first build a house and live among the people - this is also what Don Richardson and his family did to show the Sawi that they were there to stay and help them. Moreover, missionaries try to bring health and various other benefits to the community. Although missionaries bring benefits to a community, they also bring negatives. Some of these being: disease, conflict, and laws/rules that need to be abided by. Also, missionaries would bring medicine, tools (axes, etc.), and other

 necessary/basic elements of life with them to share with the community so as to build trust and, in a sense, show the community that there is more out there in the world and different ways of thinking, technology, and most importantly, religion. 

Therefore, I gained a new understanding through Don Richardson's short story because I realized how easily it is to make judgements or assumptions about a group of people before you actually meet them. Although missionaries have extremely genuine intentions, they need to first approach controversial situations with an open-mind to different people's opinions, history, and religion... =)