Seventh Entry: How did Christianity change this culture?

Christianity is a religion, and religion is but one aspect of culture. However, it has succeeded in changing the Sawi culture in almost every way. But I believe this is no coincidence, because religion, especially Christianity, is powerful.

Although it takes only one step for a person to be a Christian, which would be to have faith in God, it also asks him or her to change. He or she is advised to behave according to what the Bible instructs, and this would especially directly oppose many aspects of the Sawi culture since their moral values are radically different from ours. Due to Christianity, their traditional values such as treachery and cannibalism have been challenged. Some have turned to Christianity, and others have decided follow the path of their tradition, the Sawi culture.

Through countless parables, proverbs, and stories, the Bible accentuates the importance of love, honesty, respect, and peace. And this will totally change the Sawi culture because the life of the Sawi people is basically based upon killing and deception.

In my opinion, although this could be viewed as destruction of culture and tradition, it should be acceptable because Christianity abides by the general moral standard with which 99% of the population of the world now agrees – don’t kill and be honest.

Although not a direct change caused by Christianity, education is something that will change the Sawi culture in the long run. Don Richardson encouraged people from the Sawi to get educated. Education is key to make a region get civilized because people act according to what they know; for instance, if one is taught not to steal, it is more likely that one will not try to steal than to deceive others. Moreover, the more people get educated, the more people will have more knowledge to develop the Sawi culture for the better.

Christianity has caused some immediate changes, and will bring about greater changes in the long run. To me, it looks like the changes that are caused can outweigh the potential destruction and loss of the Sawi culture.