Deaf Baptists embrace unreached Deaf peoples

the Gospel does NOT have to be spread. Neither does Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism etc.
 
dogmom said:
the Gospel does NOT have to be spread. Neither does Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism etc.
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Right. If an individual does not feel that their spiritual needs are being met through their current believe system, they will investigate, on their own, different belief systems in order to have those needs met.
 
Reba said:
I would like more context of the story. It seems incomplete.
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Not everything has a happy ending, or even an ending for that matter. Sometimes it is what it is.....

Set myself a reminder to find that book. My short term memory is terrible.
 
I don't have an opinion on missionaries in general. I have noticed an increase in evangelical outreach to the Deaf community lately, which perplexes me. Personally, I prefer to remain in secular Deaf groups.
 
jillio said:
Not incomplete at all. Point of dangerousness of approaching this from an ethnocentric perspective without regard for cultural norms and practices is well demonstrated in that example.
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The part of the story that was posted fits your preconceived viewpoint, so that's enough for you. Fine. I would like to know more about the situation, if you don't mind.
 
jillio said:
Yes, of course. And it is not a pretty history. But destruction of cultures doesn't seem to be a concern as long as the missionaries fulfill their perceived need to preach their gospel to those that have not requested it. How hypocritical is that?
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Instead of putting all missionaries into the "destroy cultures" camp, why don't you be specific? If certain people called themselves missionaries and destroyed specific cultures, then say so. It's intellectually dishonest to blame all missionaries for everything destructive that happens to cultures.
 
jillio said:
Aleser is a she, and her statement is absolutely correct; especially when applied to the more fundamental sects.
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It is not correct to say that Christianity is teaching hate against homosexuals. If certain individuals or groups teach that, then name them. But that is not a teaching of all Christianity.
 
jillio said:
Barbarians? There's that ethnocentrism that is used to justify the unwanted interference and forced cultural contact.:roll:
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Take it up with DeafCaroline then.

http://www.alldeaf.com/1878853-post86.html

All thru civilization people groups have been emigrating and contacting other cultures. So? Do you expect every tribe of people to just stay put with a "Do Not Trespass" sign at the gate? Get real.

If it weren't for a mixing of cultures, we wouldn't even have the English language. Most of us wouldn't be living in America. There would be no technological progress or trade.

Yes, the white people of Europe were considered barbarians by the Greeks and people of the Middle East and Far East. I suppose that made them ethnocentric.

When the armies of Alexander and Ghengis Khan invaded, that was forced cultural contact.

When famine drove the ancient Israelites to Egypt that was more cultural contact.

When trade routes opened, over land or over seas, there was more cultural contact.

I thought so many ADers were pro cultural contact if it meant newcomers crossing the southern borders into the USA. Apparently that contact is acceptable as a one-way street only. As for Americans, well, they just better stay home.

Christian missionaries who are truly serving the Lord don't go to other countries for any material gain or political power.

If anyone is prostituting the name of Jesus for selfish reasons, then they should be named and removed from the field.
 
Reba said:
I thought so many ADers were pro cultural contact if it meant newcomers crossing the southern borders into the USA. Apparently that contact is acceptable as a one-way street only. As for Americans, well, they just better stay home.
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Hard to compare America with a village in Africa. America is known as the melting pot country and does not belong to one type of culture/religion/etc. A village consists of people who follow a specific way of life that can be incredibly easily influenced.

A missionary in America and Europe (and many other countries) has a very little chance of converting someone based on the simple fact that they are cultured and have experienced many different ways of living life. But people who have very little contact with other cultures? Incredibly easy to convert them.

That's just my opinion. I don't really have any missionary experience so... feel free to use that against me. :)
 
jillio said:
Islam was not forced on the African cultures.
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Depends on what you mean by "forced."

Christianity wasn't forced either. In fact, much of Africa was Christian before the Muslims converted it.

Christian conversion usually happens from the bottom up. The general population becomes Christian, and national leaders arise out of the population.

In the African countries, conversion to Islam began from the top down. The national leaders were converted by Muslim leaders, then it spread downward to the people.

For further details:

Exploring Africa

You are buying into the savior fairy tales again.
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Fairy tales have nothing to do with spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Or were you just trying to denigrate someone's religious beliefs?
 
Daredevel7 said:
Hard to compare America with a village in Africa. America is known as the melting pot country and does not belong to one type of culture/religion/etc. A village consists of people who follow a specific way of life that can be incredibly easily influenced.

A missionary in America and Europe (and many other countries) has a very little chance of converting someone based on the simple fact that they are cultured and have experienced many different ways of living life. But people who have very little contact with other cultures? Incredibly easy to convert them.

That's just my opinion. I don't really have any missionary experience so... feel free to use that against me. :)
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Some Christians minister to their own people. Many of them have never been outside their own countries or had any contact with other cultures.

Some European missionaries are often simple folk compared to the sophisticated Westerners that they contact.

I don't want to use anything "against" you--we're not enemies. :)
 
Reba said:
Some Christians minister to their own people. Many of them have never been outside their own countries or had any contact with other cultures.

Some European missionaries are often simple folk compared to the sophisticated Westerners that they contact.

I don't want to use anything "against" you--we're not enemies. :)
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How would you feel if Catholics/Hindu/Buddhists went to those places that have types of people you stated in the bolded above? They show up with wealthy cars, nice clothes, give gifts "to help them", and so on... all while preaching their religion? You'd be okay with that?
 
Daredevel7 said:
How would you feel if Catholics/Hindu/Buddhists went to those places that have types of people you stated in the bolded above? They show up with wealthy cars, nice clothes, give gifts "to help them", and so on... all while preaching their religion? You'd be okay with that?
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I notice that a lot of Christians don't like it when members of their family converts to another religion.
 
deafskeptic said:
I notice that a lot of Christians don't like it when members of their family converts to another religion.
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I had a deaf great aunt who was a convert to the Baptist religion. Nobody rejected her of our family.
 
jillio said:
Right. If an individual does not feel that their spiritual needs are being met through their current believe system, they will investigate, on their own, different belief systems in order to have those needs met.
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The thing is that they did already have religious beliefs but were forced to give them up when the missionaries came along and perform their rites of destruction. Anyone who actually wants proof of this can google. Anyone claiming that's untrue is not making any effort to educate themselves. As a history major, I've read about the effects of missionaries on Africa, the Americas and Asia because religion has always been a big part of history.

And in case anyone thinks that doesn't happen anymore, just read about the Akha culture in Thailand.
 
Daredevel7 said:
How would you feel if Catholics/Hindu/Buddhists went to those places that have types of people you stated in the bolded above? They show up with wealthy cars, nice clothes, give gifts "to help them", and so on... all while preaching their religion? You'd be okay with that?
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Other religions have been proselytizing in the same areas where our missionaries are for years. It's nothing new.

If they depend on cars, clothes, and gifts to win people that's their problem.
 
deafskeptic said:
I notice that a lot of Christians don't like it when members of their family converts to another religion.
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It would certainly be a disappointment. People have free will to believe or not believe.
 
DeafCaroline said:
The thing is that they did already have religious beliefs but were forced to give them up when the missionaries came along and perform their rites of destruction. Anyone who actually wants proof of this can google. Anyone claiming that's untrue is not making any effort to educate themselves. As a history major, I've read about the effects of missionaries on Africa, the Americas and Asia because religion has always been a big part of history.
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I can't speak for or about other missionaries that I don't know. Other religions and groups have different ways. All I can say is, the missionaries whom I know, or the ones we support, or the ones we've read about, or the ones we've met, or the ones we've visited in their homes on the field, don't force their beliefs on anyone. They couldn't even if they wanted to (which they don't). We've examined the belief and mission statements of them and their boards. They don't fit the scenarios that you describe. If any of our missionaries stray in the least way, they are sent home and cut off from financial support.

"Missionary" is way too broad an umbrella under which to condemn them all.

And in case anyone thinks that doesn't happen anymore, just read about the Akha culture in Thailand.
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I read about them. That bears no resemblance to what our missionaries do.
 
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