*Japanese and Indian : Has History proved FrancisXavier wrong?* *Sun Dec 6 01:57:18 PST 2009*
From: "J. Colaco < jc>" < colaco1 at gmail.com<http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org> ><<Francis Xavier found the Indians, particularly the "Brahmans",>* cunning, exploiting the poor people,* >* whereas the Japanese were simple and more responsive. *>* *>* shrikant barve < shri8131 at gmail.com<http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org> > asked: Has History proved Francis* >*Xavier wrong?* >* There are two SFX opinions about two different peoples. *>* *>* 1: Of the "Brahmins" with whom SFX had some personal experience,* >* albeit limited, his opinion was that "They were cunning exploiters of* >* poor people"* >* > 2: Of the Japanese, with whom SFX, at the time, had YET to have* >* personal experience, his opinion was that " They were simple and more* >* responsive"* >* > Based on his own personal judgment, does Srikant (personally) believe* >* that SFX was proven wrong by history on Opinion 1, 2,r both or none?* >* > And IF SFX's opinions were proven wrong ..... by history - So What?* ***I do agree with Dr.Jose Colaço. St.Francis Xavier had his opinions about the Indians, whom he came to know in India and for whose conversion to Christianity he worked, and the Japanese, about whom he heard from the few he came to know. Was he wrong? How does history prove it? JOAO comments: Xavier lived in Japan for about 2 years and 9 months and left an unhappy fellow. He was not at all successful in Japan. He said the devil invented the Japanese language as an obstacle against Christianity. I guess the Japanese even then had the flowering of Buddhism and looked at Christianity as childish, too serious, and unscientific. Anyway, good try, Joao We can have today our own opinion. Today Christian vision of life has already influenced the whole world and shown its impact. Yet, there are variations among different peoples. Could we say the same about the "Brahmins" of India and the Japanese today? I do not have a direct contact with them. I have only jotted down the history of St.Francis Xavier, whose statement I would respect. I would differ from him on the topic of salvation of non-Christians, as I mentioned in my article written several years ago. Theology is a deeper reflection on the Word of God in the light of today's philosophy and sciences. Regards. Fr.Ivo
