February 9, 2007
Brazilian Christians vs. Asian Christians?
In checking my e-mail this morning, I found a letter from somebody who I have never met, who takes issues with some of the things I have written (probably this very early post), which is encouraging, because it means that somebody is reading the archives!
Anyway, I found the letter to be shocking it it's vitriolic hatred of Brazil. It comes, not from an ethnocentric American, but from an apparently ethnocentric Asian.
I tried to respond, but apparently the e-mail address he put down (keepbraziliansout.com--that should have been my first clue) is bogus. So, assuming that he will be back, I have addressed him here. His letter appears below in block quotes, with my responses in italics.
I find your e-mail disturbing, to say the least. Rather than my trying to respond all at once, let's break it down.
You write:
What is your vision for brazil ? A sexually deviant, brutal country where people go around sleeping with each other and changing partners like they change their cloth every night ? A Country with such high levels of brutal crime, back stabbing, betrayel, machismo culture? Where Christianity in churches appear like night clubs ? Dont tell me all countries are the same as brazil
In other words, Brazilians are sinners. So, may I remind you, are Americans, Asians, Europeans…everybody. Your castigating a whole culture by it’s ugly underbelly is disingenuous. Asia has it’s own ugly underbelly. Singapore comes to mind.
Brazil is one of the worst and dirtiest countries on earth. Its a country awaiting judgement. You keep blaming Muslim countries or asian countries, I can tell you that the non Christians in those nations are much more decent people and law abiding than most brazilians are.
Brazil has problems. There is no doubt about it. Still, here in Brazil I can worship freely, move about with no problem, even set up a speaker in a public praça and preach the Gospel. You mention Asian and Muslim countries; I don’t know how you can seriously make the comparison. Violence in Brazil is random. Violence in Asia, and particularly in Muslim countries, is directed specifically at God’s people.
Go to Rio, to its carnival, to its wild sex culture, where women dance naked on streets
I’ll pass. But go to Rio at any other time of the year, and you will see some of the most beautiful vistas in the world, and meet some of the nicest people around. Of course Rio has it's problems. So does Tokyo.
where the talk is nothing but sex all day long,
Where do you get that from? Conversation here is much less saturated with innuendo and double meanings than is daily conversation in the US. You are making some incredible and un-verifiable claims.
where friendships are broken so easily and no honour
???? Brazilians develop friendship on a deeper, more profound way than any other culture I know of. Also, the Brazilian sense of “honour” is quite well developed, even to an extreme.
you think a fallen country like this is welcome to other nations ?
Name for me a non-fallen country.
Even near by latin american countries are not so worse as Brazil is.
Oh yeah? Try living in Venezuela.
Rio And Sauo paulo are the sodom and gommorah of this earth.
Ever been to Manhattan? New Orleans? Florida during spring break?
I think its time for Asian Christians to unify and pray against this dirty sex culture of brazil and its deviant people who are truce breakers, and betrayers to start spreading into other nations and bringing their garbage and filth with them.
Pray against? Shouldn’t that be “pray for?” I know that the Brazilian Christians are praying for the persecuted believers in Asia, Africa, and other places.
Americans are more or less self controlled but Brazilians?
One more huge generalization.
their life is party and drinking and sex and lust.
And another.
Brazil is a nation awaiting a terrifying judgement.
The world is a place awaiting a terrifying judgment…including Asia.
The more late the judgement is the more worse it will be for it.
You seem quite eager for this judgment to take place. You need to read the book of Jonah, especially the last chapter. I hope I am mis-reading you. If not, you are demonstrating a carnality and pride of startling proportions.
I dont consider Brazil where, men and women glide each other in life as 2 bars of soap is a nation worth exporting missionaries.
That is interesting imagery. So…are Brazilian Christians less Christian somehow? Are they not redeemed and transformed by the Grace of God? Are they somehow less qualified to serve as missionaries?
Brazil is a unholy, unrighteous, and one of the worst on earth.
I can almost hear you say “I thank God that I am not as these Brazilians”. Think about that.
Makes me proud I am Asian and that I can see Christianity at its best in Asia, not a filthy sex filled brazilian christianity.
Ok. Christianity is Christianity. In God’s eyes, Asians are no better than Africans, or Brazilians. Get over yourself.
If I had to guess, I would say that some Brazilian “done you wrong”, and you are upset about it. The domain name for your e-mail (I could find no such website, please tell me it does not exist) suggests an antipathy toward my adopted country that goes beyond the missions debate. Remember that there are 180 million Brazilians, and a great number of them are your brothers and sisters in Christ…if indeed it is that you are a believer.
Posted by Andrew on February 9, 2007 7:30 AM.
Comments
Posted by: Renae at February 10, 2007 4:16 PM
My point exactly. I do believe our friend had a bad experience with a Brazilian (got dumped, perhaps?) and is taking it out on the country (all 185 million of them) as a whole.
Posted by: Andrew at February 11, 2007 6:38 AM
Wow! Just wow! Such anger and resentment. As a person who has traveled to and spent time in three Asian countries AND lived in Brazil, I wonder if maybe he is a little confused.
Promiscuous (and illegal) sex is a much more pervasive in many Asian cultures than is Brazil. Bangkok in THE prostitution capital of the world. When I took a drive through downtown Bangkok, I saw brothels larger than many Vegas casinos. My first night in Beijing, I was propositioned three times (in my hotel) for sex services. Most larger hotels in China have some sort of prostitution service available.
Anyway, his logic is flawed and his conclusions are clouded by anger.
Furthermore, his statements sort of remind me of a time when a friend of mine gave me a very gentle rebuke. He simply said to me one day, "Jason, you make a lot of definitive statements."
At the time, I guess I had the habit of throwing large groups of people into broad general stereotypes.
Since his kind admonishment, I would like to think that I have moved beyond summarizing an entire group by their "worst" members.
I feel for this person, I really do. It must be difficult for him to find the Joy that we all have thanks to our Gracious Savior, who while we were yet sinners, died for us.
I pray that the mercies that David cried out for in Psalm 51 would manifest themselves in your heart.
Posted by: Jason at February 13, 2007 9:19 AM
I am an Asian that had adapted USA as my country.Some years ago I spent time in Niteroi near Rio and I really enjoyed the Brazilians who I met and had dealings with. They are very nice,and loyal and respectable people. I still enjoy the good memories I have of that beautiful country, it's culture and language. The "Asian" who sent that E-mail,needs to understand that God loves and cares for the sinner and not their sins!!
Posted by: Tim Baylen at February 13, 2007 10:19 AM
Subscribe via
I believe I met some amazing Christians when I was in Brazil. In some ways, I as a life long Christian felt they had a deeper and stronger relationship with the God we both serve. I would be proud to defend Brazilian Christians and I am proud to call some of them my personal friends!