This past month we partnered with Servant Partners in Bangkok and lived in the urban slum community with the people. The way they do ministry and share the love of Christ is by creating relationships with those in the community.
To many Thai people, Christianity is to America as Buddhism is to Thailand.
One question we got from a teacher in the preschool after we told a bible story was “So, Jesus wasn’t an American?”
In America the cost of following Christianity (for most of us) is hardly anything at all. In Thailand, it is a completely different story. Buddhism is a part of their culture. It is a tradition in the family. It’s who they are and what they know. Their temples are ornate and their practice is based on rituals and a way of living.
Sinners
Telling the story of the Gospel isn’t easy because it’s something they just don’t really understand. When we tell them about Jesus and how he died for our sins, they don’t understand the importance of it because they don’t see themselves as sinners.
Buddhism has 5 “commandments” to live by to better practice their religion. These include:
- Refrain from taking life
- Do not steal
- Abstain from sexual misconduct
- Do not lie
- Refrain from intoxicants (specifically drugs and alcohol)
Buddhists don’t see themselves as sinners like we so easily find ourselves to be. They don’t understand why Jesus would choose the lost sheep over the righteous one because they don’t view themselves as the lost sheep (the sinner). (Referencing the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15) Because they don’t view themselves as sinners…they don’t really get the connection of why Jesus would need to die for our sins.
Karma
A Buddhist belief is Karma. Karma is the force created by a person’s actions that is believed to determine their next life. The problem with Karma, especially with those living in a poor urban community is that it creates a sense of hopelessness. They feel like they did something to get where they are and seeing change and hope for a better life is out of their worldview. This was shared to us by one of our contacts, Suzy.
An example she encountered of a young girl that is going against this sense of hopelessness is a young girl, 24 years old, named Om. Om works full time at a Vietnamese restaurant in Bangkok while going to school full time. In addition to her busy work and school schedule…Om also has two kids, and is divorced. She recently moved back to her community after her divorce and is going to school so that she can find a better life for her and her children.
Baptism
Baptisms are big thing in the Thai Christian church…but it is something that a lot of men will put off doing for a reason other than their beliefs. In Thailand, respect and honor are a huge deal…especially with elders. It is tradition in the family when one dies for the son to spend a month in a monastery as a monk. If they don’t, it is seen as a huge disrespect for their parents. People will hold off from baptism for this time so they don’t disrespect their parents.
It was a really growing experience to learn about the influence of Buddhism on the culture of Thailand and sharing Christianity from ground zero. I give a great deal of respect to the Christians in Thailand. They give up a lot for their faith. They go against the cultural norms established by the country and they risk dishonoring their family for their beliefs. When I think about what I give up for my faith, it pales in comparison. I admire the missionaries and the hard work they put in to building relationships and discipling those of Thailand.
All of this information was passed on through conversations by our hosts…take what I’ve said with a grain of salt. I’m not super educated on the Buddhist faith but these are things I learned through my experience and conversations in Thailand.
