RE: [asa] uncontacted peoples ???!!!

Christine said:
" Indeed, I find you're statement rather
counter-productive. You take great pains to point out
that they are fellow human beings, yet you presume
(per the stereotype) without any knowledge of this
tribe, their culture, history, etc. that they are
lacking education and health care. For all we know,
maybe they could teach us a thing or two. "

Without basic medical care, I'm sure they are dying of trivial causes
(diarrhea, fever, etc.). We should assume this since we are already
aware of the numerous needless deaths of those living in poverty in our
modern world. Their superstitions are probably needlessly causing them
pain also. Also, as others have pointed out, we have a message of
Christ for them, for those who believe in the Gospel. They are just as
human as anyone else... no less. That would be proven through DNA.

...Bernie

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of Christine Smith
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 7:51 AM
To: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: [asa] uncontacted peoples ???!!!

Hi Bernie,

I don't follow your logic...I'm not familiar with the
Survival International group being quoted (so maybe
they have a different agenda), but no where in that
article does it say to me that we should prevent any
type of contact with these people (which technically,
by flying over them and photographing them, we've
already had). Rather, it says that their "territory"
should be protected--I take this to mean that their
tribal sovereignty should be protected. And further,
that protections should be taken to ensure that a
repeat of all the negative consequences (disease,
cultural/natural habitat destruction, etc.) of
colonization don't reoccur.

Indeed, I find you're statement rather
counter-productive. You take great pains to point out
that they are fellow human beings, yet you presume
(per the stereotype) without any knowledge of this
tribe, their culture, history, etc. that they are
lacking education and health care. For all we know,
maybe they could teach us a thing or two.

Merv asked in a later post about a proper Christian
approach in situations such as these...I think
(speaking as a non-anthropologist here) the proper
Christian approach first and foremost involves
humility and a genuine desire to cultivate a
relationship/friendship with a new group of people. We
should approach them, not in a condescending manner
that assumes we have to bring them up to "our level"
or way of life, but in a manner that includes
discussion and dialogue--a genuine give and take where
we learn something about them, and we teach them
something about us. Only within the context of that
relationship should we seek to identify any
needs/wants (i.e. health care) they might have, and to
help fulfill them; likewise, only within the context
of this type of relationship should we introduce them
to Christianity, such that its not that we're "pushing
an agenda" but that we're proclaiming to them what we
believe to be the truth and that we're inviting them
into fellowship with us--a fellowship which could be
built on an already established trust.

In Christ,
Christine (ASA member)
  
--- "Dehler, Bernie" <bernie.dehler@intel.com> wrote:

>
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080530/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/brazil_indians;_yl
> t=AjuvjodTjk9NPZYCfpWYaWZI2ocA
>
> "Uncontacted Indian tribe spotted in Brazil"
>
> Snippet:
> "The world needs to wake up to this, and ensure that
> their territory is
> protected in accordance with international law.
> Otherwise, they will
> soon be made extinct."
>
> My gosh- these are people, not animals! They are
> fellow humans-
> shouldn't we reach them, educate them, and give them
> basic medical
> care???
>
> This article makes it sound like they are subhuman
> animals!
>
>
> To unsubscribe, send a message to
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Received on Fri May 30 12:43:15 2008