In three days I will be home again in the states. My six month long trip has come down to this. It will be good to be home.
As everything comes to a close, I’ve started to think of things I’ve learned while travelling. I think the biggest thing is that when you travel, meet other people, and experience different cultures, all your stereotypes start to fall. You start to realize that stereotypes are not true for all people- not all Scandinavians have blond hair and blue eyes, and not all Muslims are named Mohammed.
Studying politics in college, one of the theories that you learn about is the idea of a clash of civilizations- that certain civilizations are headed on a collision course that will only create tension and violence in the future (for example the ‘West’ and ‘Islam’). This idea has been pushed by many in my own country and government. And people are buying it.
But people like me who have experienced life in an Islamic culture, and other cultures, quickly find this theory losing ground. Many Muslims welcomed me into their houses for tea, food, and even to stay. One hosted me for three weeks in Bosnia. In Kosovo, one invited me to stay the night at his family’s house, and they cooked traditional food and took me all around the village to sight-see. In Palestine, one invited me up to Jenin to stay with his family for a weekend- and when I left Palestine, he gave me several gifts! A shirt in Bosnia summed it up- ‘I’m Muslim- don’t panic!’
This has been the hospitality I have experienced in all the places I have visited. I have never had anyone hate me because I am an American, and I have never had anyone hate me because I am a Christian. Almost everyone in this world just wants to live their lives in a peaceful, just society where they can work, have a place to live, and eat. People just want normal lives!!! They don’t want conflict, war, and death. There are exceptions everywhere- we in the USA, with our insane murder rates, know this too well. But those are by far the exceptions, not the norms.
As Christians I hope that we will not subscribe to this theory of a clash of civilizations. I hope we can love our neighbors in all civilizations, while not advancing false and harmful stereotypes.
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2 comments:
Very nice to read your impressions about the people you found while traveling. I believe you when you say that many people do not want war, violence and clash of civilizations.
But of course, when you get in touch with so many people that have different faiths and beliefs, you might have thought about your faith. In my opinion, we do not need to adopt exacerbated relativism to accept other people. But how do you see it? And what about the consequences of these thoughts yo your theological view?
just trying to be boring.
Ray, I'll be in NY from Sep. 14th to 21st. If you are around, I can try to visit you.
Bye!
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