Myanmar is
emerging from almost fifty years of military rule, often brutal in its
repression of dissent. In November 2015, the country held a democratic
election, the first in decades, and the party of Aung San Suu Kyii, recipient
of the Nobel Peace prize, had a landslide victory. The army, however, still
wields tremendous power.
Most
Christians in Myanmar are from one of the seven minority ethnic tribal groups
recognized by the government. The Burman, 63% of the population and Buddhist
(hence the former name for the country, Burma), hold the power of government
and the military. Thus most Christians find themselves twice disenfranchised,
by both religious faith and ethnicity.
What does
it mean to be a faithful Christian in Myanmar?
In
addition to their second class status, the church continues to face numerous
challenges as they navigate through a jungle of competing stances, positions
and perspectives within their faith communities. What does it mean to be a
faithful Christian in these contexts?
Should
Christians hold to a strictly non-violent agenda or support their tribes’ armed
resistance against the government? If they choose the former, non-violence, are
they being sufficiently loyal to their tribe?
Since
independence from England in 1948, there has been insurgency fighting within
Myanmar, led by tribal groups who want autonomy and self-governance within
their regions. What role should Christians take in these conflicts which
sometimes divide churches and families?
What is a
Christian stance towards protecting the environment when sometimes the only
work available degrades the environment?
Myanmar is
rich in precious and semi-precious stones, including jade and rubies, and
timber and forest products make up a sizeable part of the country’s resources.
Much of the mining and lumber industry is located in tribal regions and
sometimes this is the only employment option for Christians, other than
subsistence farming – and yet many are aware how these industries do great
damage to their environment.
What
should a Christian’s response be to unjust laws set down by the Myanmar
government?
In 2015,
four laws, known as the “Race and Religion Protection Laws,” were adopted by
parliament. They are, arguably, protection for the Buddhist majority and not
for religious or tribal minorities, including Christians. These include having
to petition your township if you wish to convert to another religion, or if a
Buddhist woman wishes to marry a non-Buddhist man.
Another
provision makes it a criminal offense to have more than one spouse, or to live
with someone who is not your legal spouse (clearly aimed at the Muslim
minority). Most troubling for many tribal Christians is the requirement that
women in certain regions must space the birth of their children at least 36
months apart. This is clearly aimed at controlling population growth among the
tribal Christians and Muslims. Should Christians comply with this government
order?
Should
churches continue to worship in the manner taught them by missionaries fifty
years ago, or should they contextualize to their culture, time and place?
There is
both love and resistance to the history and legacy of missions in Myanmar, as
there is in other post-colonial countries. Great power and deference is given
to western missionaries and Myanmar Christians still look to the west as the defining
foundations of their faith. After more
than a century of hard work, Christianity is perceived as a potted plant, not
yet rooted in the soil of Myanmar, and most believers are unwilling to break
the pot. There are some people that see the need for
change, but they are clearly in the minority.
Myanmar Christians have truly embraced the Good News of Jesus Christ,
knowing all too well the darkness and oppression of their land. Myanmar
Christians need courage, wisdom and fortitude as they discern what faith-full
living means in their complicated living experiences, even as we must discern
what it means to live in ours alongside them as supporters.
The Christian leaders and pastors of Myanmar have endured so much, and
have had so few resources, that we should be proud to respond to their requests
for our help. The needs and challenges of the Christians in Myanmar are most of
the time unfathomable to westerners. We
find it hard to accept that needs could be so great. They are great and they never end. When one challenge is solved another
emerges. Burmese Christians are our
brothers and sisters in Christ, we dare not turn our backs on the family of
God.
Will you help us encourage and equip God’s family in Myanmar? Your
generosity will enable us to demonstrate to this long-suffering church that we
love them enough to help them effectively communicate God’s word.
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