catapult magazine

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[img:2baf75eb87]http://www.nigeria.com/Channels/Religion/Religious_Symbols.jpg[/img:2baf75eb87]
Culture is born of the innermost desires and aspirations of human beings. A faith that grows out of one’s beliefs is the moving force, that manifests itself as behavior. Faith implies a religion. From the symbols given above, it can be seen that there is a multitude of religions in the World. Each religion and its practice brings to fore a unique culture. Thus it may be said that culture is not a monolith, the same everywhere, but a diverse cacophony of different modes of behavior. So when we say that [b:2baf75eb87]CULTURE IS NOT OPTIONAL[/b:2baf75eb87], are we not treating it as a unitary monolith, while ignoring its amazing diversity?

can you explain why you think saying "culture is not optional" constitutes treating culture as a monolith? also, i’m curious about the way you suggest that desires and aspirations precede culture, how belief comes before faith which in turn comes before behaviour. Then you say that religions produce culture. Am I totally misunderstanding you?

When we say that CULTURE IS NOT OPTIONAL, this implies that culture is the same all over the World. We do not say that CULTURES ARE NOT OPTIONAL. That is why I think that we are treating culture as a universally same entity, rather than considering its variable diversity, as it exists from place to place. For example, the culture of Canada is not the same as that of Pakistan. Desires and aspirations are natural, and not consciously thought out. That is why they precede and manifest culture. One has to have some knowledge of the scriptures, and believe in it. This inner belief would manifest itself as faith. I take faith as a path of a way of life. So when we take faith as belief in a way of life, it should precede behavior. Culture is defined as a particular form, stage, or type of intellectual development or civilization in a society; a society or group characterized by its distinctive customs, achievements, products, outlook, etc. Religion certainly has a civilizing influence on a society, and the development of its culture. You have read and thought on what I had to say, and that is good. I do believe that CULTURE IS NOT OPTIONAL, but would like to know whether a single culture for all, or one out of a diversity of cultures, to which one subscribes?

I think the statement "culture is not optional" is just a general statement of human culture and the importance of culture in general, not just any particular culture. I think the statment applies to things like the arts, which are present (though often quite different) no matter what culture you might travel to. Humans always have some kind of culture. Different people have different cultures and subcultures. I don’t think it’s really necessary to break down the statement further and say which cultures are or are not optional.

As far as the desires and aspirations leading to faith which leads to culture and behavior, I agree to a point. However, I’d also argue that it goes both ways: Culture itself (or if you prefer, one’s own culture) can have an influence on a person’s desires and aspirations. It affects their faith and beliefs.

Regardless of the natural desires and aspirations of an individual (which we could already say is a mix of God-given personality and sin-corrupted pride), the both the faith and how those desires are pursued is likely to be shaped to a large degree on whether they grow up in Canada or Pakistan. The pre-established culture in various places is often stronger than any individual’s desires. Culture is not a blank slate subject to an individual’s whims. However, it can certainly be shaped just as it shapes those within it.

Either way you look at it, I see the statement of "culture is not optional" to mean that we can’t ignore culture, its influence, or the ways we need to interact with it and contribute to it in order to shape it as members of it. Those that do ignore it do so at their own peril. They will either unquestioningly become a product of their culture or else seperate themselves from it until they are no longer a part of it, neither of which is best for the individual or the culture.

It is true that culture can affect desires and aspirations, while they can produce culture. Similarly, faith and religion contribute in the making of a culture, while culture can affect the potency of faith and practice of religion. Culture is very important for all. My question arose from the fact that I had been heavily influenced by the counter-culture of the 1970’s. That also was a culture of [b:46dda8c02e]FLOWER POWER[/b:46dda8c02e], and a consequence of the Viet Nam war draft. One may find the culture of the majority of one’s region, and practice it. Can anyone describe the attributes of a culture that is applicable everywhere, and at all times?

Bacteria cultures are mostly universally applicable. Other than that, death and taxes appear to be common cultural features.

You are so right that biologically speaking, bacterial cultures [b:c741e1c00b]are [/b:c741e1c00b] universal, while death and taxes are inevitable. Here we have a culture of CREATIONISTS, so even culture may not be evolving! Anyway, I want to be on the same wavelength as the older members of cino. Hopefully I will keep on learning more and more. I appreciate your comment, nonetheless!

Saying "culture is very important for all" shows that the phrase "culture is not optional" is still not being properly understood. Not only is culture important, it’s unavoidable. Every human being "cultures" or "cultivates", is participating in an ongoing development. This is why historians never cease to find subject matter, and indeed their work is itself a contribution to more culturing. The phrase is really meant to avoid the kind of anti-cultural stance common in the Christian community. We are already thrown into a culture, as Ivor acknowledges, so recognizing that we are busy culturing(v.) already, we need to ask ourselves what kind of culture(n.) we are contributing to.

I suppose dan’s example is helpful and it would be good to distinguish our site’s motto from that of our arch-nemesis webzine:

http://www.cultureisinapetridishandisusedtodevelopresistancetoinfections.com

i couldn’t help clicking on that. you never know these days!

Grant I appreciate your guts to say it like it is. Culture does [b:4176b0ad26]CULTIVATE[/b:4176b0ad26] one’s personality on the one hand, and on the other it indeed is unavoidable. The anti-culture stance adopted by Christian community, goes against its founder, who was indeed very engaged, aware and culturally active. I suppose CULTURE IS NOT OPTIONAL is an under statement designed to get the message through, without ruffling too many feathers. Can you or someone educate me as to how one can be culturally active, while still retaining basic elements of the Christian faith?

I’ll take a stab at it. To be culturally active you could do one or more of the following: turn on the TV, spit on a homeless person, celebrate a birthday, run for political office, build a spaceship, get married, or take out the garbage. But if you want to be culturally engaged in a Christian way, I’d say you should make sure TV watching isn’t all you do, you probably shouldn’t spit on the homeless person (in fact, he/she might be Jesus), the birthday party should be kick-ass because it appears God frowns on those who don’t savor his precious gifts. As a politician you shouldn’t take bribes (unless they come from other Christians), you should make sure that spaceship you build isn’t going to carry any bombs, you shouldn’t get married just to tie the other person to yourself, and you should recycle at least some of that garbage.