Is civilization a good for all humankind?

Question

Should we go "fetch" indigenous peoples like indians from the amazon rainforest that have never had outside contact and integrate them into society and religeousize them? ..seeing as how their situation seems to always become one of needing govt support and handouts from people after they become "civilized" ..

Answer 1

They should be left alone but not for the reason you propose. They should be left alone for the simple reason that no one people has the right to destroy the culture of another and impose its own.

Answer 2

My wife is an indigenous person. Her and her people seem to have a superior spirituality, and do not need religion. The Bible often loses much in translation because some spiritual terms have no equivalent in English, and English speaking people do not always have the best understanding of spiritual terms. Often times when a translation is atempted for an obscure language it winds up being completed by a Christian group that makes sure it leans towards supporting the beliefs of their particular sect. Perhaps it is best to just leave them alone as far as religion goes.

As for the handout part, it is the government's fault. When someone like my wife is here legally two common things happen in the search for employment. Either it is a white business and they do not hire brown skin people at all, or it is just the opposite. It is a crooked business that hires mainly illegal Latino workers. They take a certain percent from the paycheck from these workers, and are not interested in legal workers because it is just not as profitable for them. Contrary to popular belief these illegals aren't just doing work that no one else wants. They are taking over job sites, and taking our jobs. The illegals keep the legals from getting jobs. Yes, you are correct they wind up getting government handouts. That's just how our tax dollars are wasted when our government can't secure our borders.

If that is civilization then it is not good for anyone except criminals.

Answer 3

I think we should go to them and tell them about the gospel of Jesus. I don't really think they should be brought out of where they are though and become civilized. Really, they are better off. Getting civilized just leads to encountering more of the evil in this world. They don't miss the civilized life style, as they have never known it. They are comfortable and content with how they live. Bringing Jesus into their lives would enhance that, they don't need to live in today's society in order to hear about Christ Jesus. Sometimes I wish I could live in a sheltered lifestyle such as they do. I know the work is hard to live for them, living from the land, but they also do not have to put up with all the evil in society today.

Answer 4

Did you read Ishmael or something? That sounds like Daniel Quinn talking.

I don't think it's that people becoming civilized creates the need for handouts. In a primitive culture, there is a tribe of maybe 100 people, usually nomadic. Because there is no economy, and no specialization of labor, everyone does the same thing -- usually the acquisition of food. As more food is needed, the hunting hours are longer.

In a developed economy, we have specialization of labor, and hundreds of millions of people in what amounts to a tribe. Naturally, instead of having the tribe communally support people or varying hours, we have specialization of labor and entitlement programs to fill in the gaps.

Answer 5

I don't think we should try to change them or their culture, but Christianity is for everyone and for people of all cultures. It's amazing how God's spirit works even in the lives of people who haven't grown up with any kind of religion. I once heard how a Zulu (a black South African tribe) woman in a remote area, far from civilization or any Christians, got hold of Bible and became a Christian, all by herself. Missionaries discovered her years later. She was a spirit-filled, devoted Christian despite the fact that she had never had any contact with other believers.

Answer 6

Any nation, tribe or even group of people with fullfleshed brains can resolve their situation,unless if there is an outcry from this people then they can be intergrated with the international community- And in the process they should form part of planning and decision making since its their lifestyle that need to be cahnged that is if they see the need.

Answer 7

I do not get the connection from being in a "uncilivilized" society and becomeing dependent on the society. Most people on government assistance were born in thier "civilized society".

Rather I believe they become dependent because the skills they have learned are not needed in the societies they are trying to civilize.

Truth is they were self sufficient in the societies they lived in before becoming "civilized".

Answer 8

What we need to do is leave all indigenous people alone, and leave their environment alone as well. They are much better off than we are in our so-called civilized world.

Answer 9

There are many different ways a human can live his or her life. People have a tendency to want others to believe the same thing that they do, but who says your way is the right way to live? All people must be free to live the life that they want to live, so long as that lifestyle doesn't cause others harm.

Answer 10

Wow. Just....wow.

The hilarious thing is, I'm fairly positive this is *not* a joke.

I don't think this question really warrants a rational answer, so - yes, we should absolutely fetch the savages, learn 'em English, teach 'em the 50 states and the Pledge, and get 'em all jobs at Wal-Mart.