Education and Religion in the Colonial Era-Blog 6

Education and Religion in the Colonial Era

I was very interested in the section about education and religion because I related some of the ideas to the world today. Education is encouraged by society today as it was in the colonial era. Furthermore, education in the colonial era was like a “magical power” (Strayer p. 628) to Asian and African societies that allowed these native races to be uplifted. For instance, it allowed some people to escape forced labor by obtaining better-paying positions. We see this same desire to achieve higher education in the contemporary world. For others, the knowledge of reading and writing gave social mobility and elite status. This was important for native races because it gave a chance of equality to form within to racially defined societies. Although, the number of minorities having access to education today has increased, many still struggle to pay for higher education because of the financial expenses. Even though people became educated, they lost a sense of identity in themselves and in their communities.

For instance, the European influence was seen in the way people dressed, such as white wedding dresses. This practice is still common today and is used in a variety of cultures. This is not a bad thing; however in some way I think it’s a loss of culture and tradition. People started to emulate European ways in the food they ate, the homes they built, and the languages they spoke. It reminded me of when I moved from Lebanon to America and nearly lost the ability to speak Armenian until I forced myself to speak it at home with my husband and later my children. I think adopting new knowledge is remarkable and a blessing, but I think cherishing your roots is important too.

I found it interesting how religion was tied to education in the colonial era. Christianity was spreading, giving rise to missions. These missions were also schools that gave the young, poor, and women opportunities to obtain an education. This was important because these three groups were oppressed groups who had limited freedom and opportunities. To some extent, the young, the poor, and women are still exploited in society today.

Religion is also a very controversial because it often generates conflict and opposition between those who disagree. For instance, in the colonial era gender roles was very contentious because it required people to change their sexual activity and marriage habits. Religion has a similar strain on the world today such as deciding laws about abortion and gay marriage. I think in some ways the spread of Christianity acted as a way to spread new ways of thinking and knowledge, which influenced people’s cultural practices. Perhaps this is why independent churches were established and new spiritual practices were formed.