Who here thinks Missionaries from the Christian Faiths should stay out of countries? Yes or no? Need a reason?

Question

Here's the perfect reason:

... have you ever heard of Ivan Pavlov, and his experiment with dogs? Basically, he found out that if he rung a bell, and then fed a dog, after a while, just ringing a bell would make a dog salivate from hunger. This works on all animals, humans included.

Now. What do missionaries do? They go to developing countries, where food is scarce, and say God and Jesus, then give natives food and modern goods that many of us are so lucky to have...

... sound familiar?

Dog --> Food --> Bell --> Salivate
Human --> Food --> Bible --> Faith

And just like with the dogs...

... even if you take out the food factor, after a while, it'll still remain the same.

Dog --> Bell --> Salivate
Human --> Bible --> Faith

Just as Pavlov essentially tricked the dogs into thinking the bell meant food...

... the missionaries trick Native Peoples into thinking Bibles and Christianity mean food and technology, and, essentially, a better life.

What say you?

Answer 1

I personally am peeved by this question. As some other answerers have said, why are you reducing us to dogs? And another person said what about "rich" countries where the people being ministered to already have "food and technology, and, essentially, a better life"? I don't like what Ania said, that missionaries are paid to convert people, almost like it's a military mission. At least for any of the churches I know, missionaries are NOT paid. They may ask for some money for the trip over, but not an additional "salary" or anything. They have prayers from their home churches to keep them going. And who says all missionaries bring food and other items with them to lavish upon the "natives"? Think of normal airline travel. Who would bring tons of food or ANYTHING? Is that even allowed on commercial planes? They most likely bring only money to get these things to sustain THEMSELVES. So to say that they trick people into thinking that the Bible means food... And there's a flaw in that logic. When the missionaries leave (not many stay in one place for their whole life), then the Bible will stop "meaning food" consistently for a long time if not forever. Then, wouldn't those "Native Peoples" stop associating the Bible with food? In which case, one would think that they would drop their faith. But most don't. God is powerful and loving. He doesn't just abandon people when missionaries are gone and a supposed food source isn't there. Please don't insult the missionaries so! They are doing what God and Jesus have commanded them to do.

Answer 2

While I don't deny that some religious people might have used false incentives to convert some native people the fact is that this is probably pretty rare. You have to remember that there is a lot of bigotry against Christians in India. Also, the upper classes are very angry about conversions of the "untouchables" to Christianity because Christianity teaches them that there is no difference between individuals in God's eyes and, to Him, the untouchables are just as good as the upper classes. This idea of equality, as you can imagine, does not set well with the people who depend on the untouchables to do all the really dirty jobs and manual labor in society. The Untouchables are unhappy with their lot in life anyway and conversion to Christianity is just adding incentive for them to protest their treatment. This kind of thing encourages rumors and lies to be spread about Christianity on the premise that it can be driven out of India if they can convince the government that they are forcing people to convert or are kidnapping them to work on plantations. This is all a pack of lies. The Indian upper classes may believe it but Christians aren't stupid enough to believe that a coerced conversion means anything. The person who is coerced isn't really converted and will give up his "faith" at the first opportunity. A person who "converts" to get a loan hasn't really converted either and will go back to his former ways as soon as he can. This is garbage which is being done so that persecution against Christians can be increased and justified under the pretense that they are subjugating the people that they are working with. In actuality, it's the Indians with money and status that are subjugating the people and working them like slaves.

Answer 3

I think there are basically two kinds of missionaries. Some who want to spread their faith using means which maybe are not ethical, like you stated. I think these are a small, aggressive minority. On the other hand, there are others who, based on their faith in the first place really want to help people. Lot of people got a decent education, decent clothing, decent food (mostly through learning how to farm and how to keep livestock) in much of the poor countries. These missionaries are not pop stars, they don't seek publicity, you won't see them on TV. They just do what they think is good for mankind. You should be thankful that is not you but others who sometimes risking their own life, really are helping people who are in an abominable situation.

Mother Theresa, (before she died), wasn't giving away, CD players, TVs, camera's, canned food, hamburgers, only to win some poor souls. It's not a "reality"show a la Paris Hilton.
Read, study, hear, see before judging people who are doing a job, you wouldn't want to do sitting in the comfort of your home in front of a computer.

Answer 4

I think they need to stay out and quit messing with other cultures and trying to Americanize them. when I was still a Christian I listened to a Missionary from Togo Africa and they did make a lot of Christians but they saw that the men in the village would sit in the village while their women went out in the Fields and worked and the missionaries were trying to tell them they were wrong.

I admit women in this country would not allow that, but if that makes them happy, why change them?

Answer 5

I beleive that missionaries are good in the fact that they are providing people with food and things they need...
but I think that the people DO NOT NEED missionaries telling them their religeon is wrong, and using the fear of hell and whatever kinda of nonsense to convert them. Thats like telling someone, "if you dont color the paper this way, it might not look like my paper, oh no, what are we gonna do"
sheesh

Answer 6

Hundreds of Years Ago, this is how Missionaries spread the word of God, by doing this. How else do you think the word of God could be taught to these natives and foreigners. Even in Norway, during the Pagan era, this is how Chirstianity came into effect. It is no trick, but a way to help the people learn. IT WORKED. Many that were Pagans, are now believers. It did away with Heathen ways. So paint the picture anyway you want. But it works. Not only did they teach the word of God, but they also helped the needy , un-knowing people all over the world. Praise God.

Answer 7

And how does this account for the missionary's who go to the U.S.A and Britain, and the "rich" western nation's, how do they "trick" them?? Hmm..?

It's insulting to refer to humans as "dogs"!! And "natives" are not idiots!

Answer 8

If the missionaries are wise then they wont just give them food and the bible.

The will help them learn how to grow their own food; and how to consistantly pray day by day.

Answer 9

Ooooh! I never thought of it like that! Nice thinking!

Anyway I don't like the idea of being forced into a religion. Its just not right.

Norskeyen, there are still Pagans today. The very person who asked this is a Pagan! As am I! We are not affected by the so called "satan" you used to convert all of those people (Norwegians) who had the right to believe what they want!

-Wiccan teen )O(

Answer 10

You are so right. I see nothing wrong with going and helping people. But, when religion is the ultimate reason---it stinks. What good is a Christian who has been paid to convert? That is what they are doing.