The Lie of Multiculturalism
by Sam Hall
The first premise of Multiculturalism: Liberalism reigns; the second premise of MC: all cultures are created "wonderfully equal" - at worst a lie; at best an error. The chief lie of multiculturalism is that all societies/cultures should be considered equal. Any thinking person would readily see that the culture that countenances terrorism, oppression of women and minority groups; e.g., Sudan, Malaysia, etc. should not be considered on a par with our culture of respect for individuals, for the law and property, for due process, for recognition of achievement, for freedom of expression, etc. It's as ridiculous as comparing the culture of the headhunters of Irian Jaya with that of the USA. Or even of the culture of present-day Romania where tens of thousands of orphans are ignored, disposed of, maltreated; ask Denise Van de Walker if that culture is = to ours. Yes, it is unique; yes, it has a history hundreds of years older than our--but it has decayed far below its former glory.
by Sam Hall
The first premise of Multiculturalism: Liberalism reigns; the second premise of MC: all cultures are created "wonderfully equal" - at worst a lie; at best an error. The chief lie of multiculturalism is that all societies/cultures should be considered equal. Any thinking person would readily see that the culture that countenances terrorism, oppression of women and minority groups; e.g., Sudan, Malaysia, etc. should not be considered on a par with our culture of respect for individuals, for the law and property, for due process, for recognition of achievement, for freedom of expression, etc. It's as ridiculous as comparing the culture of the headhunters of Irian Jaya with that of the USA. Or even of the culture of present-day Romania where tens of thousands of orphans are ignored, disposed of, maltreated; ask Denise Van de Walker if that culture is = to ours. Yes, it is unique; yes, it has a history hundreds of years older than our--but it has decayed far below its former glory.
Likewise, the culture of Mexico, even with the richness of its art and work ethic, etc,., is inferior to ours. Why do you think 12 million of them have come illegally to our country?
Because our culture offers hope, because the beliefs of our people at large, the institutions and systems of America are superior. To continue to allow unrestricted access to our country "because all other cultures are equal" will eventually drown us in a sea of mediocrity, aimlessness and lawlessness. It will sap our vitality, drain our resources, and our values. Yes, we can allow some, but not all who want to get in our country. Would you allow every homeless person to take up residence in your house and sit at your table? Of course not!
Otherwise, the resources, objectives, institutions of your home would be dissipated and pressured to accommodate these unfortunate people. Yes, they are created equal, and in the eyes of God (and Christians should likewise) they are equal. But you exercise controls; you've brought Amah into your home, under your system of values.
Liberal professors and their supporters suppress the ability of society (individuals and groups) to counter their doctrine because of the "D" word--the fear of being accused of discriminating. Without discrimination (one can almost not think this word much less utter it) and discernment we are lacking the greatest God-given gifts and cannot seek any truth.
Should we as Christians be afraid of cultural differences? Only if they are evil and destructive to individuals, families, society. Hearing Hugo Chavez rant against our President in UN while much of the audience laughed made me see red. It wouldn't have made any difference if it had been Clinton or Carter; the audacity and disrespect by the representatives of these different countries (and cultures) against my country shows the smallness of their visions, their disrespect for others (including the host country), their hatred for cultures above them, etc.
Does this mean that there are no racist Christians - "black, white, yellow, red" etc? No!
Multiculturalism is axiomatical
This past week, it was reported that a teacher in SC was fired, harassed, harangued, etc because she (Euro-American) had African-American students in middle school who used the foulest of language which was disrespectful of everybody and everything - "MF this and that", etc - and the school administrators (principal was African-American also) defended it as, you got it, muticultural. It's just their culture to talk that way, on and on and on. This is the lie of multiculturalism. I don't want it, and I don't think you do, either.
Sam
7 comments:
Sam,
Why are you so afraid of liberals and liberalism and what do you mean when you use this term. I see multiculturalism and liberalism as two different issues. To me liberalism is a perspective that is open, forward thinking, willing to go against the status quo where I see the conservative perspective as one that strives to hold on to tradition at all cost. Finding its security in the past at the expense of the future.
Multiculturalism is a process that values all people and the gifts that they have to offer humanity. When God created us "in His image" he created us with extreme value and in turn we are to value all mankind. Sin, the Tower of Babel, our fallen nature has made process very difficult and for some they are unwilling to extend God's value and grace to all peoples.
The Bible says that all men are created in the image of God . . .
So God created man in his own image . . . Gen 1 :27
So unless you remove cultures, other than your own or cultures that do not bow down to yours, from their rightful place as being created by God, having the same greatness and wonder that you do . . . that of being "created in the image of Jehovah God", every culture has the same deposit of God Spirit.
One must also make distinction between culture and political point of view and forms of government . . . again I see these as two different issues. All the things above that you site as being cultures of less value then ours, terrorism, oppression, lack of individual respect are not culture those are all coping / survival habits that have been learn over the development of each culture. We would be wise to spend at least as much time trying to understand and respect others points of view . . . To understand the oppression that causes such perspective and actions. Fear leads people to do very ugly inhuman things, I can understand why our government may not be able or willing to risk peace but it is a sad commentary on the Body of Christ when we as believers support such short-sited thinking . . . Not at all good use of the Blood that Jesus shed for us.
We are no better then any of those other extremes that you site and as white people become a minority upon this globe our true colors will show. If we move and act as we have been doing we will truly reap what we have sown.
It is either all our violence or all out reconciliation.
Christians should be leaders in the true "spiritual warfare" called reconciliation. I am sure glad that God and Jesus did not look on me the way that the US looks on those of whom we disagree.
Now you know how the Native American / First Nations people feel . . . once again we will reap what we have sown . . . we stole this land and most likely it will be stolen from us. Between our arrogant treatment of Native Americans and our oppression of the African Americans there was and still enough evil and terrorism committed to keep this nation on it's knees for years. Until we have the courage to accept responsibly and allow our hearts to be change we . . . the US is just blowing smoke.
Reminds me of a story Nick told me about China . . .
Hillary was in Beijing giving one of her Human Rights lectures to the Chinese . . . about the area's that the Chinese should improve on the way they treat their people . . .
In good Chinese style they were very kind to her face but behind her back they all laughed and thought that America was the biggest bunch of hypocrites in the world . . . who are we to talk about human rights when we abort millions of babies each year . . . From the Chinese perspective talk is cheap.
It is the same around the world . . . we are just blowing smoke because we are unwilling to accept responsibility for our own inhumanity to man.
We have yet to extend any meaningful repentance and acceptance of responsibility for any of the demonic way we treated God creation.
All based in fear, greed, power behind a mask of religion.
Personally my relationship with Ama and family and friends in Liberia has only affirmed to me how far from the Heart of God our "system of values" is. It is in humanizing other cultures that I get some sense of how much we have misunderstood the beauty that God created in cultures other than mine.
It is unfortunate that liberals are as fear based as conservatives are . . . that is why Christians could and many are beginning to enter in and be the driving force in the conversation. The religious right will be the main reason that there most likely will be a democrat in the White House. The democratic party is slowly finding that it is okay to talk about faith and once that happens there will be a great opportunity for the Kingdom of God to be exalted in our nation. Will take great courage on both sides but I believe the day is coming . . . In reality it is our only hope . . .
I am not sure anyone see themselves as "below" us just as we do not see ourselves as anywhere but the "top". Part of the Tower of Babel syndrome . . . . everyone thinks their way is the best . . . True Christianity is trying to understand and walk in God's Way . . . Most time very different.
Again Mr. Chavez is just feeling his oats . . . 15 mins of fame . . . they know that they can get under our skin so they do. We must also accept that there are many countries around the world that have bowed down to us long enough from their perspective. They want their turn to be superpowers . . . China and India are prime examples.
It remains for me an issue of value . . . I can and I must value God creation . . . that is totally different to valuing their actions and political positions.
I value Charles Taylor as a person that was created in the Image of God with a huge capacity to do good . . . to care and provide for the People of Liberia. He chose to do otherwise. That does not mean that i value for one moment what his selfish, greed, and quest for power has done to thousands of people.
This is what Jesus does . . . love sinners . . . hate the sin. Much easier said than done I know.
They should have called Bill Cosby . . .
Godspeed,
Tim
In discussing "our" culture vs. "theirs" I think it is valuable and essential to remember that at one time our culture WAS their culture.... none of us, can claim to be from America 100% because, we are all immigrants, all representative of a piece of every culture. The wonderful and blessed thing about our country is that it has allowed us to mold a National identity for better or worse... we have taken bits and pieces of the cultures of our ancestors and created a distinct American identity. However, it is a double edged sword; the splendid freedom of our country has also allowed the national identity to remain fluid, ever changing, never stagnant... and while there will be those who frown upon some of the shapes it takes, it is ever changing... and for this we should be greatful because it forces us to constantly reevaluate what is important, how do we as individuals establish value, not for a different race, country or nation, but a different human being. That is the beauty of democracy... we don't keep the same guy in office because we don't and shouldn't get comfortable with the way things are... and this is where the beauty of faith and the unconditional love that God has given us as an example comes into play... they are a solid set of guidelines and principles for you to use every day when deciding how to address someone... not your view on an entire nation, just the average person you meet on the street... the chances of running into Sadaam Hussein in the street and getting to tell him exactly what he deserves will probably never come... but the chances of you running into an Iraqi are highly likely... how do you treat that person, do they represent the sins and mistakes of the very few who may be or were in power? If you chose to look upon them as less than an individual made in the image of Jesus, then you do not understand the world any better than those you are raging against.
Our faith and the demands it makes on us every day is bigger than and cannot be contained by a single culture... our identity lies on the inside and we should never withold humanity simply because we don't agree with an attitude, gesture, or a country's representative.
We do live in a great nation. For reasons beyond our ability to induce or our capacity to brag about, we have been blessed. Not to lord it over others, not look down and despise but for one very specific reason. Brian McClaren illuminates this reason in his book, The Secret Message of Jesus, calling the blessing of God a global mission.
"'I will bless you and make you a great nation, and all nations of the world will be blessed through you' (see Genesis 12:2-3). The resonance between those words and Jesus' commsion to 'make disciples of all nations' is unmistakable. But the ancient Jews, like their more recent monotheistic colleagues, often devolved into being preoccupied with being blessed themsleves, forgetting or suppressing their callling to be a blessing to others. They, too, often saw their calling as 'exclusive'('We are blessed to the exclusion of all other nations') rather than instrumental ('We are blessed for the benfit of all other nations')."
Obviously, not all other nations, then or now, want to be "blessed" with the same blessings as we have been given ... not even our own nation desires the blessing, because to acknowledge the blessing requires acknowledging the Blesser.
Jesus addressed this in John 16 —
"These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God a service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father or Me. ... When He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me ... of judgment, because they ruler of this world is judged" (v. 1-3, 8, 9, 11).
While the "enemy" of what we believe in takes many shapes and forms and has been labeled in so many different choices of vocabulary, depending which side of the "railroad tracks" you live on ... right, left, fundamental, liberal, conservative, ignorant ... the list could go on and on ... the real enemy is the ruler of this world to whom man and woman, made in the image of God, abdicated their God-given mandate of global stewardship, desiring to know God on the basis of knowledge (self-extracted), not life (only of God). They ate of the wrong tree in the garden. And that enemy has messed with man all over the globe ever since, setting them at odds with each other, using whatever vocabulary and division he could engender throughout the ages ... allowing us to do his dirty work of exclusion in the name of our own private belief systems.
But God ... blessed us with, not only individual reconciliation, but the ministry of reconciliation ... unlimited to anyone nation, tribe, tongue, color or religious persuasion.
God is simply not willing that any should perish.
bjs,
I think you are spot-on when you say our nation is blessed to bless other nations . . .
We miss that one most times . . .
Thanks for your thoughts and trust others will gleam from your perspective.
Keep slogging in the free world.
what about our culture?
a culture of materialism
we run sweat shops
our "culture" kidnaps and rapes
our capitalist enonomy is run on greed
we have and continue to kill civilians in varying countries.
are a culture of convienience, of disposable goods,
we are a selfish culture
an egotistical culture
some may even call us immoral.
we are a culture that focuses so much on what people have, what they look like, while people whine about what they dont have.
we have 10 different ipods, 25 different fast food joints, 3 cars, 2 houses, 5 tvs, 3 computers.
i guess you could say we steal, kill, and destroy.
it doesnt matter, left or right... they are the same.
liberalism as defined by wikipedia.com
Broadly speaking, contemporary liberalism emphasizes individual rights. It seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, free public education, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. [2] In modern society, liberals favor a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and an equal opportunity to succeed[3].
it seems that these "lower" cultures, are perserving a conservative ideal, rather than the forward "free" society that we here in enjoy in the U-S of A
12 million people coming from mexico - this does not imply anything about their culture, other than their desire to survive. they come to america to survive. when they are here they still keep their traditions, they still are mexican people with mexican traditions... they just like in america.
when it comes down to it, it isnt that some countries and cultures of man are inferior, its the culture of mankind that is inferior
they still are mexican people with mexican traditions... they just LIVE in america.
oops
I guess none of us can "control" our culture or anyone else's culture. Perhaps what we "can" do is govern ourselves according to the principles, or even better, according to the LIFE of the Kingdom of God. If Beverly would live and move and be within and toward others in a Christ-like manner, then Beverly would indeed affect her culture.
My politicians certainly aren't going to do it for me. Nor my pastor, nor my children. Not my vote or my rhetoric ... but my life, should I choose to truly LIVE, having denied myself ... that would be to deny my SELF and live, not bearing soemone who bugs me as cross ...but carrying the redemption and change of SELF that Christ paid dearly to provide for me ...then I will effect the Kingdom of God around me ... and the culture of God will come among US.
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