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BIBLE STUDY

Bible Studies I & II were delivered by Dr. Koson Srisang. Executive Secretary, Ecumenical Coalition on Third World Tourism, Bangkok.

For almost hundred years, Asian people have been led into the idea that Democracy is the most perfect form of politics. But, infact, what they have is only a part of it, as the majority rules and the minority have to live with it and suffer. Autocracy still persists. This is a historical fact, stated Koson.

Since 1973, the Christian Conference of Asia paid special attention to the Race and Minorities issues in the Asia/Pacific region. According to the CCA definition, minority refers to a group of people who because of their skin color and cultural characteristics, are singled out by the majority of society in order to be treated unequally. These people are regarded as inferior and become objects of discrimination. It is a collective situation and not an individual matter. He further added that the main issues related to minorities are:

i) minorities are ostracized, confined by majority rule;

ii) they are struggling for separation from majority rule on one hand and seeking to have national identity on the other hand ;

iii) they have no access to Lands which in Asian region is the primary and most essential base of their livelihood;

iv) they are deprived of citizenship;

v) they are let into the belief that their own languages are inferior;

vi) they are robbed off their freedom in religious belief

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and practice.

He affirmed that Christians believe in God the Creator. Human persons are made in God's image. In the light of this faith affirmation, every male and female of all creeds, colors and names are equal and precious in God's sight.

Based on the above framework proposed, ample time was given to large and small group discussion with the help of certain leading questions.