I want to bring attention to one of its articles found on page 22 & 23. It is noted as a, True Story", titled, "The Man Who Wants to Be a Mummy". This story describes the Anga people found in Koke, Papua New Guinea just north of Australia. The article defines 'How one culture is bringing back an ancient tradition". It is based on Chief Moimang's mummy and how his son, Chief Gematsu, is now planning on his own mummification to restore this ancient religious culture. The article gives complete description of the mummification process and shares that Chief Moimango has now fallen apart. Causing Chief Gematsu to seek out help from American mummy expert, Ronal Beckett. Now Chief Gematsu is expecting his son to honor him with the process in the position that they restore ancient religious tradition.
So why blog about this article? Because of one important statement I found within it's content that is purely humanistic in its opinion and position. As a Christian growing up in public education, I also experienced 'humanistic' positions throughout my educational process. But today, it is even clearer that this position is more readily found throughout the education process. It seems in today's society there is now an even greater boldness in the humanistic camp to speak out against Christianity in its educational platform rather than just simply declare it's humanistic position. I see this evidence in this article as it states;
"Mummification is common in New Guinea and nearby islands, BUT Christian missionaries (in bold) discouraged Anga burial rituals because they involve beliefs in ghosts and spirits. Soon this cultural knowledge started slipping away."
Learning about 'mummies' and the Anga people in New Guinea is one thing, but, to make the statement, "soon the cultural knowledge started slipping away" due to the Christian missionaries, is all together another thing. The article clearly holds the obvious humanistic tilt that Christians should not have 'discouraged', (their word), the culture and should have allowed the culture of these people to stand as it was. I base this on the fact that the complete article is centered on the restoration of this culture and, "HOW one culture is bringing back an ancient tradition". Simply, this article focuses on HOW this culture was obviously changed and how the new chief is reverting back to ancient religious position.
No argument that the force of Christianity did indeed change the culture. According to our faith, rightfully so! Isn't it a fact that the word of God teaches us in Mark 16:15, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature"? Thankfully the Anga people had faithful missionaries teach them the truth and that they believed on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For me regarding this article, it's just another simple reflection of 'why' choosing Christian education is absolute. As Christians it is important and we also deserve the freedom to uphold our culture, even if it influences another to change. For now, we'll continue on with our National Geographic "KIDS" magazine as I will use it for a platform to educate my children on the position of humanistic education and what it holds as its foundations.
"lovin' homegrown abundance",
Pastor Kim
