What Apologetics means in Thailand
Apologetics means the defense of the faith. In a country that has less than 1% Christian, yet 99% other relgions, we have to consider the fact that we are no longer defending the faith to atheists. We are defending the faith to pegans. Here is some good news, that kind of apologetics is what we see in the new testiment. And it is true that many things in the scriptures that are lost to us in the west, are manifested to us in Thailand, because of a much more similar culture and context to that of the apostles. So here are some things that i consider important in aproaching a defense of the faith in Thailand or other similar asian countries.
Understanding Buddhism
Buddhism is not what we in the west have been taught. In fact, i was raised in a christian school, and had to take an apologetics course, and the portion on Buddhism was so confused from modern day buddhism that i would have to say it was more hippism than anything. Here are some things you need to know about buddhism, and believe it or not, most educated thai people dont argue with me on these.
1. Buddhism is not about meditation, it is about following rules, and gaining "boon" or merit. Monks chant, and meditate, but it would be safe to say that the majority of monks dont understand the meaning behind what they do, they do it because the master says to. The master may be the same way, and so buddhism is very much a mindless tradition, where traditions are followed, and the whole country looks up to them because the rest of the people thing it will bring them boon or merit too. So, its an endless cycle in a relgion that no one really understands anymore.
2. Most monks are only monks for a week or so. They do so to make merit.
3. Good karma is not talked about, Karma is understood to be bad, and is the equivalent of sin. (wain gum)
4. Thai people have traditions where they make merit to the ghosts of their dead loved ones, calling them back from hell to help relieve their pain. Strangely there seems to be a consensus that their loved ones are in hell, although if you were to ask them, they might say they think they are in heaven. But in reality, i think the 10th month celebration in NST makes it clear that Buddhists know where there loved ones are.
5. Buddha is not a god to buddhist people. They worship his idol, but they still do not have this understanding. At the same time, they believe in "something holy in the universe" a term that is used in thai to refer to a kind of God that is unknown to them. This is very similar to the statue to the unknown god mentioned by paul.
6. Buddhists do not think of themselves as sinners. If you suggest they are a sinner, you might be met with harsh rebuke. Do so gently, and do not pay attention their their rebuke, in time they will realise this is the belief of most of the world, that the human condition is not good. Even many atheists would say this.
7.
1. Buddhism is not about meditation, it is about following rules, and gaining "boon" or merit. Monks chant, and meditate, but it would be safe to say that the majority of monks dont understand the meaning behind what they do, they do it because the master says to. The master may be the same way, and so buddhism is very much a mindless tradition, where traditions are followed, and the whole country looks up to them because the rest of the people thing it will bring them boon or merit too. So, its an endless cycle in a relgion that no one really understands anymore.
2. Most monks are only monks for a week or so. They do so to make merit.
3. Good karma is not talked about, Karma is understood to be bad, and is the equivalent of sin. (wain gum)
4. Thai people have traditions where they make merit to the ghosts of their dead loved ones, calling them back from hell to help relieve their pain. Strangely there seems to be a consensus that their loved ones are in hell, although if you were to ask them, they might say they think they are in heaven. But in reality, i think the 10th month celebration in NST makes it clear that Buddhists know where there loved ones are.
5. Buddha is not a god to buddhist people. They worship his idol, but they still do not have this understanding. At the same time, they believe in "something holy in the universe" a term that is used in thai to refer to a kind of God that is unknown to them. This is very similar to the statue to the unknown god mentioned by paul.
6. Buddhists do not think of themselves as sinners. If you suggest they are a sinner, you might be met with harsh rebuke. Do so gently, and do not pay attention their their rebuke, in time they will realise this is the belief of most of the world, that the human condition is not good. Even many atheists would say this.
7.
Understanding Islam
Understanding Thai Culture
Understanding the LAW