Everywhere and all the time in the C (missionary bible school) area of the camp there were references to God, Jesus and Christanity, You have to respect a persons choice of faith and the belief system they follow but to be truthful I found the absolute assuredness of those I spoke to obsessive and a bit disturbing. The 24/7 praying, Jesus song and constant references to God - Jesus in both written and spoken form was mind numbing at times. Before the ride back to Mae Sot today a pray was made in the truck (invoking my name) followed by a 35 minute discussion of Jesus and whether I was a "believer" and Christs teachings.
One of the problems I have with faith like this is how adults will indoctrinate a their children from an early age. How they can they not believe in something that was told to them everyday, maybe almost every hour since they began to walk and talk. Another problem is the 100 % non questioning faith the people had in the bible. Just as Muslims have complete faith in their religious book, as Jews complete faith in theirs, Buddhists in theirs, etc. etc. Each and every one of these groups of people believe theirs is unconditionaly the true path, theirs the one true book of worship (Buddhists I have found the most tolerant of other faiths).
A final problem as I see is a hypocrisy with some of the teachings of the bible and Jesus Christ. They bot say "Thou shall not kill" l was told the 3rd rule of the Karen belief system was "Do not kill". Yet Christian Karen's do kill, many are soldiers in the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and have had a long and bloody war with the Burman people in Karen state (that conflict was instigated by the Burman). If you truly believe 100% in the teaching of Christ how can you cherry pick and ignore one of the most important things he taught, the respect for all life! To turn the other cheek and the belief that you should never kill? To believe some of what he taught and yet ignore this basic truth seems very hypocritical.
Jesus taught:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well."
-Matthew 5:38-40
"Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbour as yourself."
-Matthew 19:19
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you."
-Matthew 7:12
Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
-Matthew 6:14-15
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
-Matthew 5:43-45
One of the problems I have with faith like this is how adults will indoctrinate a their children from an early age. How they can they not believe in something that was told to them everyday, maybe almost every hour since they began to walk and talk. Another problem is the 100 % non questioning faith the people had in the bible. Just as Muslims have complete faith in their religious book, as Jews complete faith in theirs, Buddhists in theirs, etc. etc. Each and every one of these groups of people believe theirs is unconditionaly the true path, theirs the one true book of worship (Buddhists I have found the most tolerant of other faiths).
A final problem as I see is a hypocrisy with some of the teachings of the bible and Jesus Christ. They bot say "Thou shall not kill" l was told the 3rd rule of the Karen belief system was "Do not kill". Yet Christian Karen's do kill, many are soldiers in the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and have had a long and bloody war with the Burman people in Karen state (that conflict was instigated by the Burman). If you truly believe 100% in the teaching of Christ how can you cherry pick and ignore one of the most important things he taught, the respect for all life! To turn the other cheek and the belief that you should never kill? To believe some of what he taught and yet ignore this basic truth seems very hypocritical.
Jesus taught:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well."
-Matthew 5:38-40
"Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbour as yourself."
-Matthew 19:19
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you."
-Matthew 7:12
Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
-Matthew 6:14-15
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
-Matthew 5:43-45
