Intro
First, when I use the term "Christian" in this blog, I use it in its widest sense. Similar to what you would have answered on the census form in your country. In this blog, I do not have in mind if you are Catholic, Protestant or Charismatic, etc. More like you believe in the Judaism-Christian God, Allah as Muslim or an Athiest. Happy?
What follows in my descriptions is very high-level and more idea-focused. If you what more detail you will have to Google.
Houses and Temples/Pagodas
Right, so one of the first things I experienced is not praying before a meal is taken and a few church buildings and a lot of OMGs for those speaking some English. Although places of Christian worship might be in a house or what I have come to call a "shop", there are many temples and Pagodas. Keep in mind that "houses" are not flat and wide on the ground like in the Western world but like duplexes mounting to the 4th and 5th floor and maybe "Penthouses". These houses range from very standard to very luxurious. The important point I want to make is that most of them have an "altar" on the ground floor and are most visible from outside. The altar is mostly built with good wood, very decorative, with a Buddhist image, with holders of anything you can think of - fruits, fake money, incense sticks, and family and/or here photos. You have to Google to see these pictures as examples.
Importance of the Altar and Pagodas
My point is, they have a spot in the house for "worship and remembrance" for their spiritual beliefs and activities of "ancestral worship". This altar played a very important part in their life and respected for its value. They also pray in front of this altar, kneeling or standing, almost daily and especially during Religious days and Commemorative Days. There is a special Calendar for that. I even got one from a bank. During TET (Chinese New Year) fruit trees and decorative lights are added, almost like our Christmas and it seems there is competition in which house has the best display. (I will also publish my paper on TET on a blog)
Pagodas is very much like our churches and are center in their life, besides the house altar. I lived for four months next to one in Haiphong, North Vietnam. You get them big and small and even some in the yard of a private house. (See my videos on Youtube). These are visited on religious and commemorative days and use for marriages and funerals.
Revelation:
Their commitment and diligence in their belief system are publicly very visible and active in their daily living. Yes, they are born into it and supported by the government and know not any different.
History
Keep in mind that when I decided to go to Vietnam, I had the picture in my mind of Silvester Stalone movies fighting in the rice lands of Vietnam! What a surprise was waiting for me. Besides being exposed to their fully 1st world economy (leading in South East Asia) I found cities bigger as in western countries. ( I am not quoting any statistics here - you can Google) The point is, it is as "western" as can be.
One of the first things that I did was to watch all possible Vietnam War and Movies on Youtube (and others), and I gained a lot of historical background. WOW, if you think that only your country has suffered, you should check out Vietnam's history. I was fortunate to be there in Saigon when they celebrated Ho Chi Minh's unification of Vietnam and stood on the bridge to see all the fireworks and thousands of Vietnamese gathering and red flags throughout the city. He, Ho Chi Minh is like our (South Africa) Nelson Mandela. I have also visited some of their Monuments and saw some statues and inscriptions. Specialty the ones in Haiphong and Halong Bay. (See videos)
French, American, and Chinese involvement
South African visits, Scholar exchange, and trade
Revelation:
One thing is for sure. The government has successfully deployed nation-building to make them very proud citizens. Despite their diversity (approx. 48 different cultures and strong North and South divisions) united them as Vietnamese nationals.
Secondly: I have come to understand why they commemorate their War Heros even on a religious level and their many common surnames deriving from that.
Thirdly: Without being political (is it possible?), I realized how much this is missing in current South Africa after 1994 with the situation that cities/towns. streets, parks, airports, etc, are renamed and Statues are removed because of our "Apartheid" history and relaced and or substituted. I realized how we missed Mandela's /de Klerk's dream and how we could have done it in a better way. Keep in mind the South African government/politicians visited Vietnam in the past to get some tips (Lessons Learn) from them!
Further research:
I am still busy tracing their ancestry from Noah and the Tower of Babel nations.
Recommended books:
Understanding Vietnam (Philip E. Lilienthal Book.) by Neil L. Jamieson
Qualities and values
Respect, friendliness, hospitality, loyalty
Respect for Government and Police (See blog title South African)
Religion -Belief System(s)
Ancestral Worship? Self-help Teacher Mentor/Coaching Steven Covey
Partonage - Culture Index
Gods, deities dragons, and Idolatry
Besides the basic observations above regarding Temples, Pagodas, and House altars, my main point of investigation is to find out, if any of these practices were inherited all the way from Mesopotamia, Sumerians, Phoenicians, Babylonia, and even Judaism.
This is such a complex subject and I would rather publish more detail in a separate blog.
In my opinion so far, yes like in the case with countries all over the modern world, mush culture and religion came from the dispersion after the Tower of Babel. Many believe and practices I could identify and are still busy connecting and plotting them on a timeline. What is more important to me, is the Revelation/s I had and how God spoke to me after I came back to South Africa.
Revelation: We in the Christian Western world are quick to point fingers at nations and countries that are "atheist" and Communist and have no respect for God. Let me tell you, have no clue what we are talking about in "labeling or judging these nations. I have experienced more Christian values, practiced by nonchristian Vietnamese, than in my own country, which is supposed to be 73% Christian!
Culture Shock? (See blog title South African)
Christianity and the Gospel
It is not my idea to give an account of the situation in Vietnam, other than to make some general remarks. I will leave some links below for those interested. It seems that there were in the past some "bannings" by the CP government, but I would say Christianity is alive and well in Vietnam. Ok, you are not allowed to preach on the streets or issue tracks. Keep in mind, that Cities, towns, and neighborhoods are very locally governed. So freedom and tolerance levels differ from place to place and time to time. The Vietnamese Bible is available in several editions and Churches are registered to a few big "councils"
Remember that especially through the French missionaries and Catholics had a huge impact and heritage. Some of these proper church buildings are still a huge attraction and display the Nativity Scene during Christmas. Some of the bigger cities have also what we will call the "Council of Churches", where Catholic, Protestant, and Charismatics dialogue.
There have been some Evangelical/Revival rallies of which the Billy Graham Ministries one is famous.(You must check out this video on youtube) Charismatics are growing fast and so are house churches.
Mission - projects - children - radio the north Christians Chinese script
Revelation: We, in the Western world, must appreciate our religious freedom.
Recommended Books:
Cultural Integration and the Gospel in Vietnamese Mission Theology: A Paradigm… by Kimson Nguyen
The Lost History of Christianity: The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-and How It Died Tower of Babel Budie Hodge |
Further research
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