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submitted 7 months ago by jeffw@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world
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[-] sirboozebum@lemmy.world 41 points 7 months ago

This is terrible but I don't understand why these missionaries go to violent war zones or areas in a state of anarchy.

[-] tal@lemmy.today 32 points 7 months ago

Same reason missionaries went to dangerous places in past centuries, I imagine. There are people in need to convert, and the risks aren't all that meaningful if you honestly believe in your message. What's the worst someone can do, kill you? You're in heaven then. It's life that's the difficult and painful period to get through, not what comes afterwards.

[-] DeadPand@midwest.social 33 points 7 months ago

They go to those places because the poor and downtrodden tend to have a higher propensity to want to believe in something that will improve their life. It’s the best place to get converts

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 27 points 7 months ago

The real question here is why American missionaries did it in a country, Haiti, that's over 93% Christian. The U.S. is only 63% Christian.

[-] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 9 points 7 months ago

Because Haiti is mostly Black and therefore can't be Christian. It must be full of heathens.

[-] Tangent5280@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago

I guess maybe they were there more for the humanitarian rather than the religious?

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

I seriously doubt it.

[-] fuckingkangaroos@lemm.ee 2 points 7 months ago

Because people in the US aren't as desperate and likely to believe in some whacky religious stories.

[-] barsoap@lemm.ee 0 points 7 months ago

Haiti is about 70% Catholic, 30% protestant (mostly Pentecoastal), and 100% Voodoo. Which, to US missionaries, means 70% heathens and 30% heretics.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

Sure, but the U.S. is 23% Catholic and 37% non-Christian, which makes 60% heathens. It still seems like starting at home first would be the right move.

[-] tortillaPeanuts@lemmy.world 13 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

They were already there. “They made the decision to remain even when it got worse because they felt like if they left, then those kids would have no where to go" Source

They were ambushed by gang members, after helping orphans at a church, in an attempted robbery. They were leaving the church and got attacked on their way home.

[-] Tangent5280@lemmy.world 7 points 7 months ago

Damn, so genuinely good people caught in the crossfire. I don't like how so many commenters are shitting all over them here.

[-] TimeNaan@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago

Because even if they are doing charity work, the real reason they're there is to spread the colonizer's religion and ideas.

[-] veganpizza69@lemmy.world 0 points 7 months ago

Vulnerable people are easy to recruit.

this post was submitted on 25 May 2024
127 points (94.4% liked)

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