Christianity in the Chinese classroom.

So long as it is kept VERY academic I have no problem in talking religion and politics.  My latest assignment for my 4th year culture students is to take one of the 4 foundations of culture (religion, social status, education and language) and compare the impact it has had on China and a country of their choice.  Many of them have chosen religion to research and write about.

Any less academic discussion is ALWAYS led by them, generally in private conversation. And for the politics I ALWAYS say that it is not my role to comment on how their country governs itself. But I do talk about the system in Oz (which is way more socialist than China!! ) for their comparison.

I tell my students that Jesus was a Commnist, the first Communist but he let his ideas go to his head and thought that he was a god and led other people to believe in him and not his ideas. 
You know you can buy Animal Farm here, the book has Chinese and English.  It is approved apparently.  Maybe the governmenat are thinking they are talking about Stalinists.
I see books in the shops on bible stories, not to convert but to give the students some background.  I have heard and met, what I call the English Christians opposed to the rice Christians. Poor Chinese would convert to get rice now they listen to some evangelicals going on about religion so they can learn English.  I have only met one true "Christian" here in China he does not preach but does the good work amongst the poor.  The others are a true pain in the ass, if I ever hear the phrase my mission is to help one poor child.  I will throw up 

......I have only met one true "Christian" here in China he does not preach but does the good work amongst the poor.  The others are a true pain in the ass....

Gently, Woza.  One of our esteemed Barflies is an Anglican minister.  Although he must have been rather busy lately, as I haven't seen any recent posts, I'm pretty sure he does check in from time to time.  And we also have one or three others of our Members who are committed to their faith, and (as far as I know) they do not combine proselytizing with teaching.

When students ask me about my beliefs I tell them that all religions basically tell you to be a good person.  So if you do that you don't need a religion, or that any religion will do.

When my adult Chinese friends ask me, I tell them I believe in everything and nothing.  That I am just as happy to wander into a local god temple and light an incense stick as I am to go to a church of some sort, or to do nothing at all.

But what I do is also teach logic and reasoning, so that when people who are gung-ho evangelicals start trying to convert them to a particular belief, I give them tools to analyse what they are being fed. I tell them fundamentalism of any type is dangerous and simplistic, and that one form of fundamentalism is no better than any other form.

How many western students know about Henry V and the churches?  I don't think we have to get into too much history either with this.

Amonk, who is the Anglican minister?  Why is he checking in on us?  I really don't judge people on their faith, just their actions.  Their faith is their business.  I find people who sell Amway a pain in the ass as well.
I am really not sure how I have offended anyone.  I think if Jesus was here today they would probably put him on prozac or he could get on one of those magician shows on TV.
Gods to me are those ordinary people that walk amongst us every day and by their very actions show us what is true humanity.  Is this a correct bible quote " by their actions you will know them"

Why is he checking in on us?

Woza, no offense was meant.  It was just that your posting was rather strongly vehement.

I'm pretty sure that nobody was actually offended, but I did want to remind you to be aware that sometimes strong feelings....and strong remarks....might lead to friction.  Especially in this area.  That's all.


As a matter of fact, I do agree with you that actions speak louder than words.  As we say over here, "Don't bother to Talk the Talk, if you aren't willing to Walk the Walk"!!











As for "checking in" here........I do it at least once a day, myself.

"I'm pretty sure that nobody was actually offended"

Nope, I wasn't offended.

Amonk it's OK a little rap over the knuckles.  Some of my friends are Christian and my brother is a man of the cloth.  I am actually having a couple of Christians over for my Xmas party.
That comment about why is the minister checking in on us was tounge in cheek humour.
But I don't suppose you would understand that

Mr. N you can have such fun with your name. 

 

I've noticed a lot of "Silent Night" this holiday season.  Had dinner in a Chinese-style restaurant (as opposed to Western) and that song played over and over again.  It was the only song played during the entire meal.  I wonder if they actually know what it means.  Had one Chinese guy say we should sing Silent Night with the students because it calms them down.  I had suggested Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Went into a middle school Monday all prepared with my "Night Before Christmas, Rudolph and Jingle Bells" lesson.  Up on the computer, fresh from the Chinese teacher's class, were the words to Silent Night.  Had she been teaching the meaning of the words?  Personally, I'm not going anywhere near 'virgin' with middle schoolers, let alone 'Holy Infant' in a country where I'm not to teach religion.

But which version of 'why we have Christmas' did you give them?  The Christian one, or it's true pagan roots? Feast of the Son of Isis, Saturn, Mithras and Druid fertility worship? And then Pope Julius' takeover?

Right on, LE.  As for Canada, it was founded mostly as a fur exporting trading post.  Religion was a secondary (politically correct) consideration.  Most "christian" Canadians I know show little consideration of the "religious" roots for Christmas.  If anything, there would be a Disney version that fills the heads of most.