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Evangelism Among Tsunami Victims
It has recently been reported that Christian organizations involved in the relief efforts in Asia have come with “hidden agendas.” Not only have they arrived in the ravaged countries to aid victims, but they have been preaching Christianity to those they are assisting. This greatly upset Dien Syamsuddin, secretary-general of the Indonesian Council of Religious Scholars. Syamsuddin warned Christian aid workers against any form of religious action. “He also condemned reports the U.S.-based welfare group WorldHelp had planned to adopt 300 Acehnese children orphaned by the disaster and raise them in a Christian children's home” (Yahoo! News-Indonesia Muslims Warn Against Evangelism).
I understand that these relief workers believe that they are doing good by attempting to convert the Muslims to Christianity, but is this really the time for such a thing? No. It is not. The workers are there to assist victims with medical care, supply them with food and clean water, and help clear out damaged areas. And for their work in these areas only do I commend them.
After such a terrible tragedy, these people must be feeling such tremendous religious conflict inside of themselves. Why would God do this to them? What had they done wrong? How could they fix their relationship with God? They must answer these questions in their hearts, and the last thing they need at this moment is an entirely different set of beliefs heaved in front of them.
For those out there attempting to convert these emotionally damaged tsunami survivors to Christianity, I have a few things to say: First of all, WAIT! You are not doing anyone a favor by kicking these people while they are down. And unfortunately that is exactly what your religious intrusions are, a sheer kick in their pants. Let them find their families (if possible), rebuild their homes, and attempt to get their lives back on track, and then if you still feel it is necessary to convert them THEN go back and give it a shot. But please let them collect themselves and work out the religious conflicts they are already feeling within.
-Anonymous
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