Would it be hateful?

Question

If I said that missionary work was a synonym for spiritual extortion?

Purely hypothetically, of course!

And I did not specify a certain religion,

And I think trueblood is psychotic.

Answer 1

common sense can never be hatefull, so no worries.

i can sometimes be a little hatefull, but only when i see stupidity..that means you have to excuse me a little now, because i have to call my russian maffia-friends and give them the name of Trublood...

Answer 2

"It's all in the presentation," as Schindler said it so succinctly in the movie.

Perhaps your question applies to a backlash of what happened FIVE HUNDRED YEARS AGO when, indeed, Missionaries of the powerful RCC went to their new discoveries for God and country, and they were heavily backed and garrisoned by the Spanish conquistadores and the royal armies of First World kingdoms in the New Worlds.

For certain, they killed the indigenous natives "in the name of God!" That was outright spiritual extortion and terrorism at their sublime peak.

Not so anymore... Today's missionaries that trek well into the deep hinterlands are non-combative and deemed to alleviate the hardships and difficulties of the disenfranchised peoples in matters of food, health, clothing and welfare. But quite understandably so, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH either! LOL... Their hidden agenda is the same as it was before, and that is to propagate their respective spiritual doctrines.

"Hateful" and "extortion" ARE too strong for words to use in such cases... since they don't have a monopoly on such matters and YOU, or anyone else, can also go out there with a similar mission to do your AGENDA anyway.

Can we say "exploitation" in their TV ads and commercials for donations maybe?? Hehe... Again, it's all in the presentation.

Peace be with you!

Answer 3

I don't like the work hate, but I don't see how you can extort spiritualism, christians feel that it is a duty to help others. Everyone should learn from examples, if we helped people more then there would not be so much sin and evil in this world, too many people only think of themselves and not look at the brighter and bigger picture.

Answer 4

I don't think it would be hateful, but I think it would definetely be putting a big spin on it. After all, most if not all missionaries go do missionary work to help people out and to spread the Good Word. They don't force it on people. They don't force them to convert. And extortion is definetely not the right word for it. Spiritual "oppression" would probably be what you want to use more, but again, that would be twisting facts.

Answer 5

I don't think it's hateful. I do think much of modern missionary work has changed. In our denomination there has been a move toward engaging in a partnership, recognizing that we have things to learn from one another. Also, our denomination does more social justice, poverty, medical work. In most mainline denominations they have tried to get rid of the idea that we are going out to "save the heathen."
Much of missionary work historically has been spiritual extortion, playing on people's fears, dismissing an destroying indigenous cultures and beliefs.

Answer 6

It's certainly not hateful -- it just ignores the fact that missionaries don't just preach. They build houses for the homeless or orphans, provide food, clothing, medicine, and after school programs for natives and children who would otherwise have little or no access to such things. Often, experienced Christian surgeons will go on mission trips and save lives. Often risk their lives to spread cheer to oppressed people. I've known a lot of missionaries -- some of my friends recently went to Honduras to help repare and protect a home for orphans that was often attacked my malicious natives. Missionaries don't extort -- they help.

Answer 7

Well I know some missionaries and they're not spiritually extorting. Infact, they dont force the Bible on anyone but take it to those who want it and cant get it. There have been those who have done it in a militant fashion but that doesnt mean they all do.

Answer 8

Hateful? No.

I agree with the sentiment, but I'm not sure the way you're using the word "extortion" necessarily applies. It may have been literally true in some instances, but surely not on the whole.

Personally, I feel a more apt description would be spiritual colonialism.

Answer 9

I don't think it's hateful. Inflammatory, yes, but not hateful. Remember that if you feel that way it is just your opinion, and doesn't mean that it is true for other people. If you were to tell someone that, I would preface it by saying, "In my opinion, missionary work is basically spiritual extortion." Then, explain why you feel that way to the person, without demeaning their religious beliefs.

Answer 10

Completely depends on the intention of the missionary. If it to help out with care and selfless service, then it is not extortion. However, if the reason for it is to impose one's beliefs onto vulnerable people, than it is what it is....

Answer 11

Not if you can back it up with factual examples.

I think that in a modern sense, this is probably not true. However, if you look at the history of missionary work, it's fairly accurate.

I'm sure you might upset someone by saying this, but only until they look at the whole of your thesis.