Few people realize how important it is for Christians to be actively involved in voluntary charitable work in Asia. On the contrary, when Christians do voluntary charitable work, they are often criticized for wasting their time and effort in “useless” social work, rather than in spreading the Gospel.
In many parts of Asia, Christianity is looked upon poorly. This may come as a surprise to those in the West, who often think that most people look up to Christianity as a superior religion/culture. In fact, many think that it is a “fact” that as a general rule people look down on certain religions (eg. Islam, Hinduism) as problematic, inferior religions. Nothing could be further from the truth in many parts of Asia!
For example, in many parts of Asia (eg. Indonesia, East Malaysia) plantation owners prefer to employ Muslim men rather than “Christians” because Muslims do not drink alcohol and get into fights and stabbing incidents on pay day. Furthermore, Muslims do not gamble and so are less likely to get into debt and steal.
In Muslim or conservative Hindu communities, there are no massage parlours, night-clubs and women that dress indecently. In many such Asian countries, the ladies who dress indecently are the “Christians”!
Furthermore, the media that many Asians read is anti-Western – and in the mind of many Asians, Western equals Christian. So it is not surprising that many have an anti-christian world-view. Many outsiders use words like “crusade” innocently without realizing that such words are very sensitive to those who have suffered in previous historical “crusades.”
One of the most effective ways to overcome this prejudice against Christianity is through Christian voluntary work in such communities. Korean Christians have very effectively used this method to show God’s love during 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The relief work (building wells, schools) that they did, neutralized many of the prejudices that the locals had against Christianity – and opened the doors for the Gospel of love to effectively flow into these communities.
To read more about voluntary work see www.goducate.org
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It is true. In asian countries like India christianity always equated to loose morals and bad behavior. The top Churches are known for indecent dressing. It is on the moral ground it Islam / Hinduism in gaining in ground in west !!
During the Tsunami may be one or two Christian organization work were beyond reproach. The other notable work (in christian perspective) were related individual christians who ministered to emotional and physical needs through non-christian relief groups.
In fact the tsunami crisis of 26 December 2004 in South and Southeast Asia brought out the best and worst behaviors of humankind. The “worst behaviours”, some of which were criminal. The abuses and offenses that took place following the disaster were committed by both the victims and other parties involved either directly or indirectly, e.g. authorities distributing donations and fundraisers. Most of them Christian !! Well are there researched papers now on it.
I feel it is always good to be a part of a non-christian group if one is doing any work be it social or personal.
RP