False religions<\/p>\n
By profession I am a spiritual guide, the title pastor, (being
\na Latin word) signifying shepherd. It pains and humbles me,
\ntherefore, to have to criticize my own profession in stating that
\nthe spiritual leaders and guides in Indonesia (myself included)
\nhave long neglected a basic need of many of our people, namely
\nprotecting them from false religions in the guise of various
\nforms of superstition.<\/p>\n
This is pervasive. But I wish to address it in reference to
\ntwo articles that appeared in your Oct. 6 edition, \"Knowledge the
\nkey to improving life of the poor\" and \"World Bank puts new stress
\non know-how\" (page 4 and page 5 respectively).<\/p>\n
A not insignificant degree of a priest's day-to-day ministry
\ninvolves praying with, for and over the sick in an effort to
\ncomfort and console those afflicted, together with their families
\nand friends, as well as to implore the Creator to intervene and
\ngrant forgiveness and healing.<\/p>\n
In this we have complete consensus from all parties and all
\nreligions. But there is a murky area that needs much better
\npastoral treatment and careful interpretation, namely exposing
\nthe undemonstrable involvement of evil spirits which purportedly
\ncause all sorts of maladies, including physical and mental
\nweaknesses and defects, illness and even supposed demonic
\npossession.<\/p>\n
Indirectly, these two articles of yours, and the source from
\nwhich they derive, are advising us that before we attribute
\nvarious kinds of maladies to supernatural or magical origins, we
\nshould first use the knowledge available to us to maintain
\nhealth, improve our lot in general and to overcome adversity.<\/p>\n
Two observations appall me: doctors being shunned in
\npreference to shamans (medicine men), and young people learning
\nthe basics of health maintenance as a means to pass exams but not
\nbelieving in the application of this knowledge to everyday life.<\/p>\n
I blame the doctors and their profession for not giving a more
\nconvincing performance to their patients, and teachers and the
\nwhole school system for \"maintaining secrecy\" in matters which
\ntheir students have a right to access, namely making knowledge a
\npart of living and not just schooling.<\/p>\n
And of course I blame myself and all in my own profession for
\nbeing so fearful, hesitant, uncertain and in some cases even
\nmanipulative in frequently maintaining an attitude of conspiring
\nto cast doubt on knowledge of human origin as though it were a
\nthreat to God's word, God's will and God's power. I would like to
\nsee the likes of your two articles translated into Indonesian and
\npublished, with commentary, in religious magazines.<\/p>\n
PASTOR THOMAS FIX.<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/false-religions-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }