We always have great conversations while riding in the car with pastor Moses. We spent 50+ hours driving this trip. One day when Nancy was in the hotel resting I asked him what differences he saw between Americans and Indians as people. We had touched on this before but I wanted to hear his take.
It’s not always easy to have him give his opinion about things. In fact, that was his first comment. “US people speak openly, Indians don’t speak openly.” Which means you never really know what they are thinking. They don’t commit but leave you guessing. Their natural response is to say what you want to hear, even if it is totally untrue. Pastor Moses isn’t this way, but most are. This gets difficult for US employers of Indians as well.
He went on to say US people laugh and joke a lot, Indians are not so much, they are more serious. He noted that in India there are many different cultures, languages and cases but in the US just one culture and language. He also said that US people worry about tomorrow but Indians worry about today. I thought hat was very insightful!
We talked about the differences in roles of women and children and view of marriage and family. These are things I had done much research into years ago when I developing my talk on marriage and the family.
Prejudice seems to be growing in the US, especially against Jews and even Christians. In India prejudice is really increasing as the government clearly states Hindus are better than Moslems, Christians and others. Acts of violence against minorities are allowed and continue to grow.
Pastor Moses also said that in India Satan works openly, like the sickness he brought to Nancy and myself. But, he said, God’s work goes on for we didn’t miss a conference. He said in the US Satan works in secret. Very true, and very dangerous!
Finally, he talked about his disappointment in many Indian pastors and churches for their immaturity, lack of prayer and lack of power. Too many pastors are taken with their own importance and don’t humbly serve the people like Jesus commands. It’s sad but true.
God created us all to be different nations and people. That’s what the tower of Babel was all about. But he wants us to understand each other and get along with each other.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Do you find yourself in any of those stereotypes? Like worrying about the future or prejudice against others? Don’t find fault with those who are different, learn from them.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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