I wonder if people who think this way would be a little bit hurt to be told they weren't actually that bad, considering the whole of history.
Trololol, I found myself wondering something similar. It's like, dude, white people aren't that special. We just happen to be the group of people in power at the time. Eventually we'll get overthrown and then OTHER people will get their time in the asshole sun. (This isn't to say what we're doing is okay. Just because it's usual doesn't mean it's RIGHT. But I find it kinda eye-rolling how people will use their own white guilt to recenter discussions to be about themselves.)
Especially since I've learned just enough of history to know that Buddhist monks were rightfully feared in some parts of Japan at various times. And I'm sure it would please you to know (not really) that one of the most successful cult leaders in the US was a Korean dude, Sun Myung Moon!
Admittedly, in the US, missionaries DID have a lot to answer for in the havoc they wreaked on Native American and Pacific Islander communities, where it really was a matter of "convert or die." (Or lose your children, or...) And it's not necessarily a part of imperialism, I think, since Jews were often forcibly converted from within their own countries/lands. (The marranos come to mind; even now, there are some Puerto Rican Jews who have practiced their faith in secret for centuries, not even telling their own children why.)
Then again, atheism has also been used in imperialism--communist China comes to mind. I guess it's a sign that people will use whatever tools they have to hand to hurt others. Which is depressing, but a little less... *cough* black and white than, "white people are ESPECIALLY good... at evilness!"
The problem isn't necessarily our religion, but the power we wield over others so callously.
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Trololol, I found myself wondering something similar. It's like, dude, white people aren't that special. We just happen to be the group of people in power at the time. Eventually we'll get overthrown and then OTHER people will get their time in the asshole sun. (This isn't to say what we're doing is okay. Just because it's usual doesn't mean it's RIGHT. But I find it kinda eye-rolling how people will use their own white guilt to recenter discussions to be about themselves.)
Especially since I've learned just enough of history to know that Buddhist monks were rightfully feared in some parts of Japan at various times. And I'm sure it would please you to know (not really) that one of the most successful cult leaders in the US was a Korean dude, Sun Myung Moon!
Admittedly, in the US, missionaries DID have a lot to answer for in the havoc they wreaked on Native American and Pacific Islander communities, where it really was a matter of "convert or die." (Or lose your children, or...) And it's not necessarily a part of imperialism, I think, since Jews were often forcibly converted from within their own countries/lands. (The marranos come to mind; even now, there are some Puerto Rican Jews who have practiced their faith in secret for centuries, not even telling their own children why.)
Then again, atheism has also been used in imperialism--communist China comes to mind. I guess it's a sign that people will use whatever tools they have to hand to hurt others. Which is depressing, but a little less... *cough* black and white than, "white people are ESPECIALLY good... at evilness!"
The problem isn't necessarily our religion, but the power we wield over others so callously.
--Rogan