Dumb Essay

[Zane]

I have an essay due on Monday, only 1250 words, but its for Anthropology (the study of people and cultures etc.. not ants) and the question goes:

"7.Drawing on appropriate social research, including ethnographic sources, evaluate the validity of claims that organised religions (Christianity and/or Islam and/or Buddhism and/or Hinduism) in Third World nations can be a revolutionary force for liberation and humanisation (see Keesing 1981, p406)"

I'm arguming that christianity can be used as a force for liberation, people just have to use it, because obviously theres 100's of examples were Christianity (the institution) has suppressed people etc.
But I need to find case studies, actual examples of peoples situations being better off with the introducation of christanity, and finding those is VERY hard.
Pray that I can represent Christanity as the great liberating force for people in 3rd world countries, and type it up.
Its worth 35% of the unit.

Thank you.

[c.t.,girl]

wow that seems really long! i can't do long. i'll pray for you!

[Rogie]

I'll pray for you. Sounds like a challenge, but maybe one that God is sending your way to witness in some way... who knows? If I see anything that could help you, I'll let you know, but I know nothing about the subject. Anthropology might as well be about ants for me, buddy! I'll pray!

[Ingemar]

It will be quite a deviation from what I can imagine is a large workload for you, but do take the time to read The Next Christendom by Phillip Jenkins, if you can find it (he's an American author). If you want to shorten your reading time, just skip to a chapter called "God and the World." But the entire book is great too. There are examples of leaders using Biblical bases for fighting foreign oppression, and charismatic leaders fighting demonic oppression (though you may want to omit the latter, because your country being a Western one would scoff at the idea of anything like a spiritual or supernatural entity). Jenkins also points out that at least in some cases, indigenous people accepted the Gospel not because of European coersion, but because they found it an excellent answer to the world they knew, "like a drop of cold water on my parched soul." Also, Bartolome de las Casas was one of the first Christians to object to the inhuman treatment of American Indians.

Google a term called "liberation theology" for even more examples. Be warned that some strains of liberation theology are ethnocentric and misguided. By comparison, Marxism doesn't sound so bad.

[termyt]

Also consider that one man's liberation is another man's enslavement, depending on how you spin the story. Millions have been freed to follow the religion of their choosing while at the same time enslaving millions of others, forcing them to embrace a religion they do not wish to follow.

Christianity is a much better tool for liberating one's spirit than one's body since that is it's central purpose. For example, slaves in the US turned to Christianity as a way of dealing with the harsh and otherwise hopeless situations many were faced with.

However, there are two examples I can think of. First, Constantine captured Rome under a Christian banner, freeing many from the threat of death because they were Christians. Second, the US Civil Rights Movement drew a lot of its resources and volunteers from Christian congregations in the North to fight the oppression of the South.

I don't know if any of that is helpful, but I'm sure you will find the right path to go down.

[Spiritsword]

I will pray.

[agasfas]

good luck, i know what it's like to have to write a really long paper. I remember writing a 10pg group paper that no one in my group helped in. I had only a week or so to make it. That really ticked me off, and to top that off the professor said it doesn't matter if no one helps, it's everyone responisbility to help if not, too bad. And as a group paper eveyone got the same grade. So they passed b/c of me, that wasn't cool. I didn't even get to pick my group. But i know your delimma, i shall keep you in my prayers.
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[Technomancer]

You might also wish to look at the role of the Catholic Church in East Timor during the Indonesian occupation. It played a significant part in helping to maintain the people's spirits and sense of identity in the face of oppression, as well as working for independance.

In a strictly North American context, you might find the role of the "Social Gospel" movement of some interest, especially with respect to the early part of this century. Some particular individuals of interest might be J.S. Woodsworth, Stanley Knowles, or Tommy Douglas.

[Zane]

Thanks for your prayers guys, I sent the essay to uni just then (don't have a printer at home). I didn't end up using the liberation theory, but I did look into it, (its more of an outreach style with poltics and didn't really address the question.
I found one anthropologist pov, but i used a style of writting were you can't really pick that up. Got some good quotes like

The quote by Ghanian Kwame Bediako sums up this point rather nicely; "Throughout the Christian history, Christianity has had a political impact upon the world; the more closely the Church has embodied 'the mind of Jesus', the more positive has been the effect of that impact in creating forms of political life that ensure real freedom and justice and enhance political stability." (1993, p. 221),

And was able to explain the gospel in a paragraph worth of writting, but had to make it impersonal, not to get penalised.
Thanks again, God Bless

[agasfas]

And was able to explain the gospel in a paragraph worth of writting, but had to make it impersonal, not to get penalised.
Thanks again, God Bless

I know what you mean, it took me a whole semester last year to stop using first person. I didn't know we weren't suppost to . Anyways i'm glad you found some good sources for you paper. I hope you get a good grade.