Culture Torture
Reading: Ruth 4:10-13
“You have let go of the commands of God
and are holding on to human traditions” (Mk 7:8)
Jesus said the above in the context of Corban wherein the Phari-sees quoting it disrespected their parents. India is rich in culture and traditions, many of which are good. But we need to wheedle out the bad in obedience to God’s command. Just to site a few —
A boy or girl falls in love with someone belonging to a different religion or caste or State. They are abused at home, looked down upon by relatives, forced to marry someone else, driven from home, tortured or even murdered. Ruth was accepted as a daughter!
A girl is married off with some jewels and gifts and the property given off to sons. Her husband and in-laws torture her to bring property from her family.
A girl marries and enters her husband’s home. The new couple is given a room, if the girl is lucky. The mother-in-law rules the home and the son. The new daughter-in-law is labelled a rebel if she suggests to her husband to move out to a separate house or asks why she should obey her mother-in-law.
A girl is married off to her cousin against her wishes, because that was her grandmother’s last wish before she died. Often this marriage is conducted when she is just a child.
A woman serves food to her husband and only after he’s done she sits down to eat. There are many more such traditions and culture which strangle the present generation. Much blood has been shed in honour of tradition.
Jesus said, “You give a tenth of your spices — mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law — justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Mt 23:23).
I am not advocating love marriage or cross-cultural marriage. But if your daughter wants to marry otherwise, I say, advise her and let your daughter decide, if she is an adult. Eunice, a Jewess, married a Greek (2 Tim 1:5). So what? I am not against the joint family system which has many advantages. But it should not suffocate young couples who should enjoy a happy, free life. Our culture which treats women as if they are less than men, should go. She must be treated with dignity and given due respect.
In any such questionable practices, ask yourself — (1) Am I justified in doing this? (2) Am I showing love by acting this way? (3) Am I faithful to God’s Word? Let these be your guidelines.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Culture Torture
Reading: Ruth 4:10-13
“You have let go of the commands of God
and are holding on to human traditions” (Mk 7:8)
Jesus said the above in the context of Corban wherein the Phari-sees quoting it disrespected their parents. India is rich in culture and traditions, many of which are good. But we need to wheedle out the bad in obedience to God’s command. Just to site a few —
A boy or girl falls in love with someone belonging to a different religion or caste or State. They are abused at home, looked down upon by relatives, forced to marry someone else, driven from home, tortured or even murdered. Ruth was accepted as a daughter!
A girl is married off with some jewels and gifts and the property given off to sons. Her husband and in-laws torture her to bring property from her family.
A girl marries and enters her husband’s home. The new couple is given a room, if the girl is lucky. The mother-in-law rules the home and the son. The new daughter-in-law is labelled a rebel if she suggests to her husband to move out to a separate house or asks why she should obey her mother-in-law.
A girl is married off to her cousin against her wishes, because that was her grandmother’s last wish before she died. Often this marriage is conducted when she is just a child.
A woman serves food to her husband and only after he’s done she sits down to eat. There are many more such traditions and culture which strangle the present generation. Much blood has been shed in honour of tradition.
Jesus said, “You give a tenth of your spices — mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law — justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Mt 23:23).
I am not advocating love marriage or cross-cultural marriage. But if your daughter wants to marry otherwise, I say, advise her and let your daughter decide, if she is an adult. Eunice, a Jewess, married a Greek (2 Tim 1:5). So what? I am not against the joint family system which has many advantages. But it should not suffocate young couples who should enjoy a happy, free life. Our culture which treats women as if they are less than men, should go. She must be treated with dignity and given due respect.
In any such questionable practices, ask yourself — (1) Am I justified in doing this? (2) Am I showing love by acting this way? (3) Am I faithful to God’s Word? Let these be your guidelines.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
