Tuesday, 14 October 2008
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Isolated Tribe Found in Brazil: Should Missionaries Visit?
by mr oak
Couple months ago, the Brazilian government found a completely isolated tribe in the rainforest. Immediately critics emphasized the preservation of this tribe - from conveying the risks of logging and even the negatives of bringing western influences that may dilute their culture.
I'm so fascinated by this - to think that for thousands of years, these people had very limited contact with others in the world. Imagine, not knowing that there are cars, airplanes, internet, cell phones - I can't even imagine what it would be like to suddenly be introduced to all of that.
Which made me wonder about how missionaries may feel about this whole scenario.
Historically, we've seen missionaries going from place to place and teaching the Gospel. At the same time, they also bring diseases, cultural changes, and challenges to their culture.
I saw a documentary on a tribesman from Ecuador that killed American missionary Jim Elliot. The basic story culminates with this man becoming a man of God. However, a part of me was saddened that his tribe changed so much - looking at him wearing a button down tshirt and khakis made me wonder if culture was lost in the whole process.
Should missionaries be allowed to visit this tribe?
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Comments (114)
@alterEGGO@xanga - I know it's hard to fathom living in a country like America (not criticizing bc obviously I live here too lol) but there are MANY many people in this world who have NEVER seen a car, plane, etc. I definitely recommend travelling to these countries to really see what it's like. Yes, some people choose to cut themselves off from technology, etc. but there are also people who have never even been introduced to it.
Is heaven and hell enough is there eternal soul value enough?
I'd rather give them ipods before I give them Bibles. They probably wage plenty of religious wars as it is. Christianity is one less thing they need to fight over.
Also, if there are other tribes out there that we still don't know about, are they damned to Hell even though their only sin is to be born in such a remote place?
helllllllllllllllll nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
not everyone believes in jesus christ. and not everyone wants to be exposed to it. did it ever occur to you that they isolated themselves on purpose? like the movie the village. they don't want your outside influence. leave them alone.
Hey, here's a thought if they are meant for Jesus let HIM go down there and preach to them.
This is why radical christianity pisses me off, and yes this is a radical christian view. On one hand people are saying respect your neighbor. FYI, in order to truly respect someone you have to respect their way of living AND their beliefs, even if they differ from yours. However, on the other hand we have people who are trying to rationalize going to another country and forcing, yes FORCING, christianity on a tribe that clearly wants nothing to do with the outside world.
Oh and BTW, they proved this photo was a fake. The man who took it admitted it was a setup. Even if it was real, considering the fact that theyare SHOOTING ARROWS at the helicopter I do not think anyone who would go there would ever be welcomed.
@quiet_strength - Oh right, because christians have such a squeaky clean history of non violence. Who are christians, or anbody for that matter, to decide what goes and stays in a culture?
No one. Period. End of story.
Only if Christianity is somehow better than their current religion, and the only way I could see that being the case is if they eat their young.
@sarahb_86@xanga - Preach it, sister!
..... all I can think of is the Krippendorf's Tribe!
these comments are very interesting. From what I've read, apparently the kingdom of heaven was not made for this tribe and sharing the word of God screws things up. I'm thankful though that both of those ideologies are contrary to the truth. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20.
I think it's pretty clear what we are supposed to do, bring them the message of Gods' love. We must not let Christs' death be in vain because His blood covers their sins as well. And yes, forcing your beliefs as opposed to sharing them are two completely different things. No one is forcing anything on anyone, they are merely given the right to choose.
It's not a matter of "being allowed" - all the greats in missions history defied that question. Instead it's a matter of taking a learning posture before assuming a teaching one. Reaching that Brazilian tribe will take several years if not a lifetime.
Yes! As the popular scripture from the Bible says, "If we have faith as large as a mustard seed, we can move mountains." God is our strength and he WILL help us. ^_^
It is written in the BIble that the Lord Jesus, the Son of God will come back after the word of God was preached to every human being. Jesus is THE ONLY way so everybody has the right to know about him.
The arrogance show by the commenters on this blog is beyond belief. I sense a level of insecurity so deep that they feel compelled to shove their beliefs down the throats of every person on earth. News flash: they don't need your help. They are doing fine. When missionaries visit isolated areas, they bring disease to which the local population has no resistance. Is that God's will? And how would you express the Jesus idea? As a passion play with little figurines?
I think Christian missionaries should visit the tribe by jumping out of a airplane without a parachute. If it's God's will that the village be "saved" (by you insanely arrogant busybodies), then they will survive just fine.
A Christian missionary and scholar, Daniel L. Everett, visited the Pirahã tribe in the Amazon jungle of Brazil. He found that Christianity had nothing to offer the tribe. It cost him his faith. I call that a good outcome.