Global Poverty Monitor

When I realized how upset other people had been about the intensity of the services we had been to and what we had witnessed while we were there, it at first made me feel relieved that I was not the only one to feel strangely about what had happened. But then it really made me think about where I really stand on this issue. I admit that I felt uncomfortable at the service. I also have not been replying with ‘Amen’ to any prayers that have been said, including the saying of Grace before meals. This is not at all because I do not believe what is being said, but because I would not normally say Grace in my regular life, and so I would feel hypocritical saying it only because someone else at the table wanted to. Of course I keep quiet during that time, and lower my head, but only to show respect for those of us who choose to say Grace. That was the same way as it was for me at the services we have attended. While the outward evangelism is a bit of a culture shock for me, as someone who has never attended church, I was able to remove myself mentally both times and become a bystander and watch how other people express their faith. There was an instance both times where I was afraid for a moment that we were going to be asked individually to talk about our experiences with the Church, which I would not have agreed to do. First of all, I would have nothing to say since I do not attend Church. Secondly and most importantly, I am not prepared to be pressured into anything, especially such a personal topic as someone’s religious beliefs. My values are undefined at the moment, and I do not believe that I have to choose between being a full Christian or an atheist in order to take part in discussions of this issue.

My only concern was my faith as regards my appointment as Youth Ambassador for WA. The issue of religion or Christianity did not come up at all during my application process, so I know that my appointment has nothing to do with any faith or lack thereof of mine, unless the World Vision office made some pretty large assumptions. I have known all along that World Vision was a Christian organization, but I also knew that it did not discriminate on any basis, including religion, when it came to choosing children for the sponsorship program. I assumed on that basis that World Vision would not make any religious distinction between child sponsors or indeed, the study tour entrants. It seems like a waste of resources and potential sponsors to, in theory, turn some willing people away based on religion.