Kaleidoscopes of Light: Reflecting on Namibian Faith and Culture :: Essays Papers

Kaleidoscopes of Light Reflecting on Namibian Faith and Culture In this illuminating semester in Southern Africa, my Christian beliefs conduct been colored with sportsmanlike from kaleidoscopes of cultures and people. I have been heavily challenged, strengthened afresh, and turned on my orient more than once. Perhaps most explicitly, I have learned active the role of religion in social change in Namibia, from take in this mark, in visiting eight different churches over the course of three months, and in building relationships with inspiring Namibians.As I score to make my return journey home, I wonder if I go forth be prepared to share and describe what religious frustrations and exaltations of trustingness have filled my days. I wonder if my spiritual curiosity will unfold to refine and deepen my appreciation for the meaning of Christianity in my life, especially as I return to work in a Christian pass camp in Montana. I wish I could say that the kernel of unconditional love cradled in the scripture of my faith has struck me anew during my time here. But my experiences have filled me with more spiritual questions and concerns than answers of affirmation. This is adventuresome and stimulating, to say the least, and I am glad for the challenge provided here faith should never be a docile and lame journey of life. throughout our religious classes this semester, meeting religious leaders and human rights activists has fueled my soul of the meaning of Christianity. In lectures from community leaders, pastors and counselors, our class discussions bore witness to Christianitys original context in Southern Africa, its profound role in the liberation struggle and its potential in continuing processes of reconciliation in Namibia. Reading historical reviews and articles of colonialism and apartheid exposed me to the heart-rending effects of religion in this country. What unbosom strikes me to the core about what Ive learned is the good religious communiti es crumb offer this nation. As our articulate speaker Rev. Nangula Kathindi, President of the Namibian Council of Churches, demonstrates with her terminology and her work, church involvement in breaking the wall of silence adjoin SWAPO atrocities and human rights violations is for the empowerment of Namibians everywhere. Her position of authority within the church gives a fresh perspective on the role of the church playing into universal life in Namibia, and how its influence can be used for progressive tense change today. The words of Kathindi fill me with hope for the future generations of Namibia she is a alive testament to the power of churches reshaping the race-war worn lives of Namibians today.