Comments on: Religious Tourism?

By: Dr. Eric

Dr. Eric — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:10:58 +0000

Brother thank you for talking about an issue that many people will not dear address. Most third world countries are heavy dependent on the affluent western countries for handouts because they have been made to understand that they do not have what it takes to take care of themselves. The west is presented as a land flowing with milk and honey as such many people associate westerners with plenty. This misconception is reinforced by the actions of some of the short term missionaries. Who in most cases feel that since they have money, consulting with the locals and rendering services within their context is not necessary. this reinforces another misconception ” the wealthy westerners know all and have all the solutions”
I remember sitting in church and watching pictures of a short mission trip that members of our church carried out in Mexico city. The members of the team,provided free medical consultations, gave out free supplies etc some inhabitants of Mexican slums. The question that was running through my mine was, why are these people living in the slums? What can be done to get them out of the slums permanently? For the efforts of the short mission trip though commendable is nothing short of window dressing. In the short team it looks good, but in the long run it is not sustainable and is doing nothing to solve the problem from its roots.
The better option is to solve the problem from its root. Teach the people to fish and not give them fish. After all we serve the same God. How come that Christians in the west seem to have more while those in third world countries barely go by. Handouts from the west reinforce the feeling of helplessness, ingratitude and dependency that plagues third world countries. For this vicious circle to be broken, indigenous initiatives must be supported and all who go out there to help must acknowledge that the locals have something to offer and make sure their ideals are honored and celebrated.

By: jan cowles

jan cowles — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:19:40 +0000

Woo… this article is too real…”turning my people into beggars…unexamined generosity…a welfare economy that deprives a people of the pride of their own accomplishments …undoing the very vision…”
We have experienced some of this in the last six years while working in Asia, Africa and Central America. When in Cuba three years ago we were told to give no more than a few dollars to those who were hosting us. This came from a man who knew how the “well-meaning U.S. church” can hindered the work of God. Without our support they were multiplying house churches (into the 1000’s last count) under a cruel dictator. Not all of us heeded the admonition to give only a small portion and some of the problems caused were not only immediately apparent but in one case has become long term
In Africa we saw how a some had become professional beggars for the Lord and we were told by those who hosted us that many of those in ministry were shipwrecked spiritually by funds from the states. Some were buying cars while their fellow believers rode bikes. The only time we felt led to send funds was for refuges during all the killing and destruction during the national crisis this last year. The money was used wisely to give clothing and food. In all things we have to hear the Lord. In general we could learn a ton from the famous missionary (early 20th century) Rolland Allen in his book “Spontaneous expansion of the church”. He saw how we hinder the work of God in the way we do missions.
One of the things that most people don’t know is that some six months before the national crisis in Kenya there was a smaller tribal warfare going on in a mountain village where many house churches were started after we left. Because of the return of love for hatred by the believers the fighting stopped. And as for those who were in need of food. Dawson, who was our host in a near by city, gave up funds given to him to come to the states, to feed those who were victim of that crisis. He and others rose to the occasion.
I could go on about stories in Asia where some missions which depend greatly on America funds have stopped the spontaneous expansion that is taking place in other pockets that have no outside support.
Lastly the new term “Religious tourism” wipes me out when I think of all the money, time and energy. I have been part of many of these “religious tours”. They sound so good and feels so right and now I wonder what it has produced.
Meanwhile there seems to be a great contradiction in that the average believer in the states gives 2.5% (see article Stop all your giving) and what seems to be generosity to missions. Not sure what to make of that.

By: artman81

artman81 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:44:06 +0000

Oh man… talk about a fatal strike at the heart of our motives and efforts… God give us the wisdom and understanding to know what is truly best for those we aim to serve!