What would you think if on your next trip to Jewel-Osco you saw people lighting votive candles to an image of Mary next to customer service? How about a minister offering communion in Meijer? You'd probably feel uncomfortable and strange. Why? We (westerners?) think of religion as mostly private--as not belonging outside church or our homes. However, Thais don't see religion the same way. For them, religion is very public. As often as Westerners talk about quiet times, Thais talk about "making merit" which involves public actions that better the karma.
Yesterday I went to Lotus (like Walmart) and right in front of the store were placed some shrines to a bunch of golden idols in the shapes of various animals. I'm not exactly sure how people worship them and I didn't stop to watch, but it wasn't the first time I'd seen worship of an idol at Lotus. Sometimes they have shrines set up inside the stores and people worship right there in front of everyone coming into the store.
Despite the obvious issues here (idolatry, for starters), I did think it somehow refreshing that they aren't ashamed to bring their religion into the public sphere. I realize that there are corrupting factors in public religious practices, but in the West we are often embarrassed to bring our beliefs into the public. I would be nice to feel that displaying our faith wasn't impolite. In many workplaces the employees make offerings at shrines and burn joss sticks first thing in the morning. It is a normal part of their routine. I just can't imagine anything similar in most American workplaces.
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Yes, it would be nice to see Christianity become a part of the "public square" again. It was very suble how it was pushed out. My father had no qualms about showing his faith in public. My generation has succumbed to the pressure to keep spiritual things quiet and as a result has lost a lot of ground. We need courageous people to go against the politically correct dogma.
Oops it didn't work, I tried to post a picture for you of the flower lights you helped pick out for me. They look really neat in my room, esp. when all the lights are out! They're kind of like night lights. Well, I sent some pics to Nathan so hopefully he can forward them to you. Thanks! They were a good pic :)
Yeah we see those shrines at the asian markets here in chicago too. And I remember often times growing up, my mom would set aside a portion of our meals and burn incense as an offering to her dead ancestors, whenever we'd have family gatherings or celebrations.
From what I've heard, public christianity has changed drastically these last 60 years or so. Now it seems like there's so much emphasis on political correctness & 'religious tolerance' that all forms of religious practice is acceptable, unless their christian-based. It seems like we're bowing more & more to the gods of secular humanism vs. the "In God we Trust" that this nation was founded upon.
But I believe God's doing a new thing. I believe that as lawlessness & wickedness increases, God's raising up a remnant that will make a stand for righteousness. Ruth, whatever happened with your generation (I don't even understand it all), I still believe that you still have a major role to play. More and more we have a generation emerging of latch-key kids & raised-by single parents that is in desperate need of spiritual parenting and authentic reality. I believe that God's going to do a redemptive Malachi 4 work of turning the hearts of the children back to the father and hearts of the father back to the children. I think this parallels God's father heart towards Israel and toward us christian. I see it happening in the micro and I believe it to happen on the macro scale.
Soaps,
I'm glad you liked the lights. I liked them myself. Anyway, since you know more about this than me, do you know what people do with the little food offerings at the end of the day?
Actually, I'm not really sure, but I think they throw it away
Actually, I asked my cousin, and I think they eat it...
My boss professes to be a Christian and will often make "religious" statements in staff meetings. Of course, he will then swear about something in the very next statement. I think it annoys both the Christians and the non-Christians.
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