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Blog post: More News From the Fields
| Blog post: More News From the Fields I received an email from Barry Secrest, our ministry partner in Uruguay. He and his family were taking a few days vacation on the coast near his first church plant in Atlantida. As some of you will recall, it was only last September that Barry reliquished the leadership of this church into the hands of a national whom he had spent years training. This national, Pastor Miguel, has been doing a tremendous job shepherding this flock since then. Barry and his family attended church there on Wednesday night, and were thrilled to find every seat filled and many, including his family, standing along the walls to hear Gods Word. What a thrill is was to hear how this work has continued to prosper under the leading of the Holy Spirit and in the hands of Pastor Miguel. Barry did not share numbers for that night, but he did share that the previous Sunday Morning there were 145 in attendance. Praise God for working so mightily in this place. With every report, we grow more and more eager to reach our goal and begin our labors in this needy country.
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| "Does Uruguay want to be religious?"
I have to say that I really don't know much about different varieties of Christianity (being from Catholic dominated Ireland) but there seems to be a rising presence of Mormon and Evangelical Christian churches around Montevideo and the suburbs (haven't noticed it further in the interior). Regularly I am approached on the street and asked to attend this or that...I've never experience anything like this before!Many people speak about how Uruguay is not religious, and I certainly noticed how few traditional churches there are (in comparison to Europe) but there is obviously some degree of religious activity if there are religious organizations renting HUGE spaces along 18 de Julio and if there are people walking the streets recruiting. The website link above states this...which could be considered quite controversial: "Thank you for viewing this site’s information about my family’s burden for the lost people of Uruguay. I am convinced that we are living in the “end times” and that it is “high time to awake out of sleep”. Of all the countries in South America, Uruguay is the least evangelized, with a full 30% of the population claiming no religion at all. It is time to take the light of the Gospel into the darkness of Uruguay. " |
| "Chosing your own Religion"
Of all places I've known (even those that claim to guarantee freedom of Religion) Uruguay seems to be the one that offers the most free of religion. It seems to be a non-issue here what religion one believes in or practices.I also believe that "no religion" is as important of a religion as any that we know by a name. The worst religion are those that believe they are the only correct religion and try to force their views on others. So, I think it is wonderful that 30% of people in Uruguay have chosen to declare they have "no religion" which is really a nice way to say, "none of your business" now, go away! So, whatever your religion may be (or not), I bet you'll be welcome in Uruguay. Just keep your religion to yourself and don't get the idea you need to convert anyone. That I don't bet will be very welcome. For those of you that feel the need to convert everyone to your religion, they have a special space saved just for you, it even has a nice name: HELL. |
| "Does Uruguay want to be religius?"
Elaine, I don't think anything has changed about the basic general indiference of the average Uruguayan about religious matters. However... there is a big push of some particular "christian" churches with a lot of economic power (and strong economic interests) that reach some part of the most vulnerable population. These churches are organized to do big business out of the more needing individuals, asking for constant contributions. They are somehow similar to the TV churches in the US. They started in Brazil some decades ago and then spread all over the region including Uruguay. It's good business, cause churches of any tipe don't pay any taxes at all in most countries of the region (including Uruguay). The fact, being tax-free, they are not controlled by tax agencies, also makes them a good platform for other much less holy businesses. For all of which the poor people that fall in their nets are not to be blamed. In Uruguay, these religions have focused on the weaker, generally old poor people, women with low income and low educational background, sometimes burdened with children of run-away fathers, sometimes fighting against their children drugg adiction, or a partner alcohol problem. That is, desperate people. The phenomenon may have grown during the 2002 crisis, but it doesn't seem to have changed uruguayan society too much about Religion in general. Many ot these new christian brasilian churches, or the ones that come from the US as the Mormons, and the ones that have an afro-brasilian root, have grown in the same measure as the Catholic Church has been withrawing. I'm sure that their growth or deccay will be linked to the future of the economic, social, and educational evolution of the most vulnerable parts of the population. The rest of the population remain unchanged about the matter. |
| "Religion in Uruguay -"
Linda, Linda I don't think that anybody who is trying to teach Religion should go to hell for doing it.They only requirement should be after they try, go away and let ME decide if I want to go to your Church or not. Elaine - Mormons preach religion in Uruguay for more than 50 years, It was a Basketball team in the 60s made of all American Mormons I think the name was "Deseret" and also it's how I became interested in Baseball because they taught and played the game in the grounds of the Escuela Militar in Calle Garibaldi. When I become a father I din't believe I should Baptize my Daughters and when people asked me why? My answer always was "well I asked my Daughters and they din't know what I was talking about" so I decided that when they know, they can make their own decision. My Daughters as adults, they took a different approach with their own Daughters and Sons. Darkness for some people, the light for others and in Uruguay it will stay that way. |
| Jorge, Baptism is a very personal thing. Some religions baptise after birth, and then again when the child reaches 18 or 21, and can decide for themselves if they want to be baptised. I personally think that it is a good thing to do. My children were both baptised, although I would not think bad of anyone who did not baptise their children. I believe that through the act of baptism, a child is protected from evil. |
| "Beware."
Joliana, just keep an eye on your children in case your assumption is not true. I'm sure evil people won't ask your children whether they are baptised or not. |
| "Personal decisions -"
Joliana - Thank you for accepting my decision not to baptise my Daughters I also accept yours.I don't think that parents are doing anything wrong when they baptise their children. That was our option with our Daughters but when I remarried and my second Wife was expecting my Son she insisted in baptizing him and I complied. That decision was not made because fear of evil and more for the love of the creator according to my Wife's belief. I believe very strongly in the separation of Church and State and the right everybody has to worship. Most of the time the Religious differences between people in some Countries is more economics and religion is only an excuse. |
Comment #809/08/10 17:02Rural east Colonia departmento | "Well said."
In my view baptising a child will do it no harm so if it seems important to the parent, I can't see a problem. "Most of the time the Religious differences between people in some Countries is more economics and religion is only an excuse." My family comes from Northern Ireland so I know EXACTLY what you mean :-) |
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