Culture is commonly defined as the people's way of life, thus, a nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people. However, one who rejects his/her culture, is rejecting his/her own existence.
This morning in a radio programme held in 94.5 Fm, a pastor was PREACHING THAT CULTURE IS EVIL AND THAT GOD HIMSELF REJECTS CULTURE. I therefore, write to correct the heresy being preached by that pastor. Culture is never evil but a way of life. It is only the people who execute those cultures that put it in jeopardy.
According to Paulo Coelho, "Culture is not evil, it makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their souls, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers. But first, they have to understand that their neighbour is, in the end, just like them, with the same problems, the same questions". Nevertheless, Christ never abandoned his culture that is why when he was twelve years old as recorded by St. Luke (2:41-52), Mary, Joseph and Jesus went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover according to the custom (Lk2:42). Jesus also made the assertion-, "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose", ( 5:17- New Living Translation).
Christianity ( Catholic church for instance) a church being founded by Christ is also an offshoot of Jewish culture, Id est, it is influenced by Jewish culture. Their clergy garments ranging from the Pope to deacons, their religious habits and many sacred things or objects used in their liturgical functions are mainly copied from Jewish cultural background.
However, their are some cultures that are evil but it should not be abandoned but fine-toned and panel bitten to be good.
Culture is good, culture is sweet, and with the right people, culture, and values, you can accomplish great things.
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Stay safe.....SAMMY cares.
From antiquity, man has been described as a cultural being "homo culturalis". Culture is difficult, in-fact impossible to be separated outside the reality man which means that man and culture are inseparable; This shows the nature of the relationship between culture and the human being and through this relationship, more meaning is given to human existence. Man cannot be differentiated from his culture; rather his relationship with his culture gives him his place in the cosmos. Culture provides and shapes the actions and the values of the human being. Having seen the role culture plays in the formation of the values of the human being, it is clear that culture as an essential dimension of human reality cannot be conceived or talked about without man and as such I cannot consider culture evil or bad. Culture is relative.
Reacting to the second question, man cannot reject culture in toto par-say, because he is always a "homo culturalis". Let me first say that I am not a fan of one forsaking one's way of life, but I'll say that culture is dynamic and not static, and due to the dynamic nature of culture it changes with time. Culture, with human being as its chief propeller seems to be following the current. Consider the way our fore fathers dressed and what we call dressing now you'll notice a very significant shift in that area. Anyways I will encourage all to continue to imbibe the very good and significant culture that formed the foundation of who we are and I'll end by saying don't copy cultures cos you feel they are superior to yours because no culture is superior to the other.
Stay safe.....SAMMY cares.