How Come Many Thais Seem To Think Farungs Are Christians?

[pxlgirl]

I don't use the word "atheist" in a conversation with Thais, as most don't even know what it is (newsflash: most Christians don't either), so I simply say: "I have no religion". I then either get a friendly nod, or people would ask a few more question to explain, but after a few sentences the chapter is closed and everything goes back to normal... In other words, they just take me as I am and leave me alone.

Now... guess what happens if I tell a Christian that I have no religion or.. god forbid I use the A-word? I saw people dropping their jaws down to the ground and faces that looked like the end is near, followed by unbelievable stupid comments such as: "So you're worship satan?", or "How can you be a moral person w/o god?" , "But you're such a nice person" [facepalm] and the freakiest so far: "So you're a free mason"? The last one came from someone from the Philippines, and I had to dig hard to find any link to the whole free masons thing.

[matt helm]

I don't use the word "atheist" in a conversation with Thais, as most don't even know what it is (newsflash: most Christians don't either), so I simply say: "I have no religion". I then either get a friendly nod, or people would ask a few more question to explain, but after a few sentences the chapter is closed and everything goes back to normal... In other words, they just take me as I am and leave me alone.

Now... guess what happens if I tell a Christian that I have no religion or.. god forbid I use the A-word? I saw people dropping their jaws down to the ground and faces that looked like the end is near, followed by unbelievable stupid comments such as: "So you're worship satan?", or "How can you be a moral person w/o god?" , "But you're such a nice person" [facepalm] and the freakiest so far: "So you're a free mason"? The last one came from someone from the Philippines, and I had to dig hard to find any link to the whole free masons thing.

I'm curious as to these Christians in Thailand. Seems most Europeans would identify as either atheist or agnostic,so it seems strange they would have that reaction. Anyway, the real religion of Europe is humanism, which is nothing more than Christianity without god. If your value system is Christian, it makes no difference whether you believe in God or not. It's just a game of semantics.

[teacher17]

I've gotten this question a few times...and I also tell them I don't "believe in anything." They seem to get the point and are OK with it, although they are a bit confused why I don't have a religion. Funny story...My boyfriend's aunt was going to a Christmas party at the local christian church (which is held at a hotel...) and she invited me. I figured well, why not...they told me there would be free food and cake, and who am I to pass on that? Anyway, we got there and all the Christian's (who were all Thai) swarmed around me and quickly welcomed me and were very excited at the idea of having a falang Christian there...except they didn't know that I wasn't a Christian yet haha...

Anyway, after dinner they had sermons, etc, etc and one man asked me about my religion and I told him I wasn't really Christian and he just gasped and was like WHY!? You falang. You not Christian? So later on, my boyfriend's aunt (who is Thai) got blessed by the pastor (she said she figured she'd go to this thing since she can get good luck, even though she is far from being a christian haha). I reluctantly let them bless me since I figured it would be rude to refuse...and then we went home. The next weekend the same guy who was surprised I wasn't Christian came to my house looking for me because he wanted me to attend the church every Sunday. I hid in the house first and he didn't find me. And then he came back later when I was outside and he saw me (darn) and told me to come with him to the church. I politely refused and said I was busy but he kept on insisting. That was when my boyfriend's dad came out of the house and told him to leave....hahaha....needless to say, the man didn't come back again.

I think most Thai's assume all falang's are Christian, especially those who don't have much knowledge of the world outside Thailand. I have issues with those who try to "convert" people...especially back in the usa when mormons arrive on my doorstep every now and then...but that's another story.

[pxlgirl]

Not all of Europe is non religious, look at Italy, some former eastern European countries and even some western nations have strong religious roots. In Germany, you'd still pay taxes for the church, unless you officially sign out going through a bit of annoying red tape.

[HeavyDrinker]

Indeed Pxlgirl. Some Western nations are rabidly religious.

Try being disrespectful of the Pope in Dublin/Madrid/Rome of a Saturday night (or any night) and see where you wind up....

[meatballs]

I've always thought of religion and spirituality as a sort of cultural decoration. Religions can be interesting things but I'd just rather not participate in them. I'm too rational I guess.

[lovelaos]

I find the same thing, which annoys the hell out of me. I just tell Thais I go to the Church of Nana, they nod and say ok as if they know what that is !!

Maybe they are nodding and thinking 'ok. so just another loser farang'

[Johpa]

I was thinking how come so many falang seem to think most Thais are buddhist?

BTW, did you know most buddhists are aethiests?

Except that most Thais are animists which I think removes them from the ranks of atheists. Belief in an invisible man living in the sky or belief in some invisible people living in the little wood doll house are pretty close in concept.

[Berkshire]

In the USA, there is frequently hostility from a majority of people if you come out that way. There is freedom of religion but freedom of no religion is less popular.

You're right regarding the concepts of freedom of religion vs. freedom of no religion in the USA. I'd also say that freedom of the "wrong" religion is not real popular there either. At least here, the Thais are more accepting of all sorts.

[muythai2013]

Buddha did believe in Gods, during is enlightenment under the Bodhi tree he was unsure about his ability to pass on his new found knowledge to his disciples.

He was assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching.

Thai's don't really know about much other then how to bow or ask for lotto numbers at their local what.

some thai's have knowledge on the subject but very few.

one thing many monks do is smoke.

[cbrer]

during is enlightenment under the Bodhi tree he was unsure about his ability to pass on his new found knowledge to his disciples.

He was assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching.

How humanity has the intelligence to understand subatomic science, to clone other beings, to walk on the moon and return to Earth, to magically and invisibly transmit 10Gb's of HD porn through the air and into my computer every night, but yet has such religious beliefs is really quite astounding, isn't it?

Edited January 28, 2013 by cbrer

[inapeartree]

I'm glad to say a recent study showed quite a rise in the amount of Agnostics and Atheists worldwide with a secular majority expected in about 25yrs time if the trend continues. Even in god-fearing America people are realising that Christianity, like all other man made religions, is just a form of Mythology and fairly soon it will only be taught in schools as part history lessons like paganism is today.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-beast/201107/why-atheism-will-replace-religion-new-evidence

[nidieunimaitre]

during is enlightenment under the Bodhi tree he was unsure about his ability to pass on his new found knowledge to his disciples.

He was assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching.

How humanity has the intelligence to understand subatomic science, to clone other beings, to walk on the moon and return to Earth, to magically and invisibly transmit 10Gb's of HD porn through the air and into my computer every night, but yet has such religious beliefs is really quite astounding, isn't it?

A man without god is like a fish without a bicycle.

[OxfordWill]

I don't use the word "atheist" in a conversation with Thais, as most don't even know what it is (newsflash: most Christians don't either), so I simply say: "I have no religion". I then either get a friendly nod, or people would ask a few more question to explain, but after a few sentences the chapter is closed and everything goes back to normal... In other words, they just take me as I am and leave me alone.

Now... guess what happens if I tell a Christian that I have no religion or.. god forbid I use the A-word? I saw people dropping their jaws down to the ground and faces that looked like the end is near, followed by unbelievable stupid comments such as: "So you're worship satan?", or "How can you be a moral person w/o god?" , "But you're such a nice person" [facepalm] and the freakiest so far: "So you're a free mason"? The last one came from someone from the Philippines, and I had to dig hard to find any link to the whole free masons thing.

The problem is when you say that in thai. In Thai "I dont have a religion" is like calling yourself an immoral being. You'd typically hear it being used in anger against some absent party, who has done something so bad as to warrant being complained about above and beyond the usual "hes such a bad guy". Its like calling someone an animal, almost (but not quite).

ไม่มีศาสนา - mai mee saat sa naa (no have religion- gasp!)

I think better to get around it by saying "I am a student of (monk) philosophy"

The word for which isปรัชญา (pbrat-yaa) and does not mean western analytic philosophy, but is enough of a meaning, in my experience to stop further questions about superstitious belief. While also having the added benefit of making you look smart and respectable and, most useful, of high morality.

Edited January 28, 2013 by OxfordWill

[Berkshire]

I don't use the word "atheist" in a conversation with Thais, as most don't even know what it is (newsflash: most Christians don't either), so I simply say: "I have no religion". I then either get a friendly nod, or people would ask a few more question to explain, but after a few sentences the chapter is closed and everything goes back to normal... In other words, they just take me as I am and leave me alone.

Now... guess what happens if I tell a Christian that I have no religion or.. god forbid I use the A-word? I saw people dropping their jaws down to the ground and faces that looked like the end is near, followed by unbelievable stupid comments such as: "So you're worship satan?", or "How can you be a moral person w/o god?" , "But you're such a nice person" [facepalm] and the freakiest so far: "So you're a free mason"? The last one came from someone from the Philippines, and I had to dig hard to find any link to the whole free masons thing.

The problem is when you say that in thai. In Thai "I dont have a religion" is like calling yourself an immoral being. You'd typically hear it being used in anger against some absent party, who has done something so bad as to warrant being complained about above and beyond the usual "hes such a bad guy". Its like calling someone an animal, almost (but not quite).

ไม่มีศาสนา - mai mee saat sa naa (no have religion- gasp!)

I think you're right. Some words and/or phrases don't translate too well in different languages/cultures. "Mai mee saat sa naa" (aka "I have no religion") can almost be interpreted to mean "I have no morals," or something along those lines. Clearly not what the OP intended.

[muythai2013]

during is enlightenment under the Bodhi tree he was unsure about his ability to pass on his new found knowledge to his disciples.

He was assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching.

How humanity has the intelligence to understand subatomic science, to clone other beings, to walk on the moon and return to Earth, to magically and invisibly transmit 10Gb's of HD porn through the air and into my computer every night, but yet has such religious beliefs is really quite astounding, isn't it?

Not at all, its astounding that people judge something without full knowledge of the teachings.

Buddha does not tell us to follow his teachings blindly, he tells us to believe what we see, even scientist walk blindly sometimes.

to long to explain here but its not like that at all., there is no magic in Buddhism, no mystical nonsense, only people that are confused by the teaching due to poor research.

[Jingthing]

I think in general FOREIGNERS who express no religion would be seen differently from Thais by Thais. More like, another BAA farang, I can't understand him anyway so what difference does it make.

Edited January 28, 2013 by Jingthing

[OxfordWill]

Well, worse I think Jingthing, it might confirm some suspicions that we are most likely not "real" or "proper" people. (only in some, I hasten to add)

Edited January 28, 2013 by OxfordWill

[elektrified]

There are about 1,000 Thai Christians spread among 4-5 churches in our mid-sized Isaan city. Virtually every Buddhist Thai I meet is either shocked at that number or simply doesn't believe it. "If you're Thai, you're Buddhist," is the prevailing stereotype in Thailand. "Farangs" are stereotyped just as well.

In Northern Thailand the numbers are even higher. I could not even begin to estimate how many Christian Thais there are here. There are also a lot of Muslim Thais up here. My g/f and her brother have never been Buddhist's. I would classify them as being agnostic like their Chinese father was. Saying all Thais are Buddhists is the same as saying that all farangs are Christians.

[Mosha]

We are expected to accept that we need a god to explain how everything started. Then ignore the obvious question. "Who/what created god?" My wife knew where I stood on religion before we got married. She doesn't understand my position on it though.

[prestburypark]

Indeed Pxlgirl. Some Western nations are rabidly religious.

Try being disrespectful of the Pope in Dublin/Madrid/Rome of a Saturday night (or any night) and see where you wind up....

Crucified?

[cbrer]

during is enlightenment under the Bodhi tree he was unsure about his ability to pass on his new found knowledge to his disciples.

He was assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching.

How humanity has the intelligence to understand subatomic science, to clone other beings, to walk on the moon and return to Earth, to magically and invisibly transmit 10Gb's of HD porn through the air and into my computer every night, but yet has such religious beliefs is really quite astounding, isn't it?

Not at all, its astounding that people judge something without full knowledge of the teachings.

Buddha does not tell us to follow his teachings blindly, he tells us to believe what we see, even scientist walk blindly sometimes.

to long to explain here but its not like that at all., there is no magic in Buddhism, no mystical nonsense, only people that are confused by the teaching due to poor research.

So he wasn't 'assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching'?

[muythai2013]

during is enlightenment under the Bodhi tree he was unsure about his ability to pass on his new found knowledge to his disciples.

He was assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching.

How humanity has the intelligence to understand subatomic science, to clone other beings, to walk on the moon and return to Earth, to magically and invisibly transmit 10Gb's of HD porn through the air and into my computer every night, but yet has such religious beliefs is really quite astounding, isn't it?

Not at all, its astounding that people judge something without full knowledge of the teachings.

Buddha does not tell us to follow his teachings blindly, he tells us to believe what we see, even scientist walk blindly sometimes.

to long to explain here but its not like that at all., there is no magic in Buddhism, no mystical nonsense, only people that are confused by the teaching due to poor research.

So he wasn't 'assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching'?

yes he was but that was his problem, its left up to you wether you believe it, or believe in god.

Buddhism is not about god or the belief in a God or any creator, it's about a personal journey to reach nirvana and the belief in a god is not an issue in the religion.

[cbrer]

So to believe that 'He was assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching' doesn't require to believe that

a ) it's nonsense.

b ) there is a certain Hindu God that assured Buddha.

?

[cbrer]

no mystical nonsense

So he wasn't 'assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching'?

yes he was

Hmmmm.

[TomTao]

There are about 1,000 Thai Christians spread among 4-5 churches in our mid-sized Isaan city. Virtually every Buddhist Thai I meet is either shocked at that number or simply doesn't believe it. "If you're Thai, you're Buddhist," is the prevailing stereotype in Thailand. "Farangs" are stereotyped just as well.

In Northern Thailand the numbers are even higher. I could not even begin to estimate how many Christian Thais there are here. There are also a lot of Muslim Thais up here. My g/f and her brother have never been Buddhist's. I would classify them as being agnostic like their Chinese father was. Saying all Thais are Buddhists is the same as saying that all farangs are Christians.

I live in Chumphon, this provence has the highest concentration of Christians in Thailand, all of the denominations are represented, also an increasing number of muslims, my wife's cousin is Christian, he son is Buddhist and his girlfriend is Muslim, they all get along with no problems.

[h90]

yes.....farangs can be christians or if long enough in Thailand they can be buddhists.

Atheists is a concept that is complete unknown to uneducated Thais....

Here they usually tell that I am without religion but most probably more buddhist than most thais......

But as real atheist I also don't care about the "who is more busshist" competition....

[DP25]

There are about 1,000 Thai Christians spread among 4-5 churches in our mid-sized Isaan city. Virtually every Buddhist Thai I meet is either shocked at that number or simply doesn't believe it. "If you're Thai, you're Buddhist," is the prevailing stereotype in Thailand. "Farangs" are stereotyped just as well.

In Northern Thailand the numbers are even higher. I could not even begin to estimate how many Christian Thais there are here. There are also a lot of Muslim Thais up here. My g/f and her brother have never been Buddhist's. I would classify them as being agnostic like their Chinese father was. Saying all Thais are Buddhists is the same as saying that all farangs are Christians.

It's especially common among hill tribe people in northern Thailand.

[simple1]

no mystical nonsense

So he wasn't 'assured by a certain Hindu God to go on teaching'?

yes he was

Hmmmm.

Logically it makes sense that there is reference to a Hindu god as he was Hindu prior to enlightenment. Not sure if I am 100% correct, but I believe Hindus revere Buddha as an incarnation of Mahavishnu.

[h90]

There are about 1,000 Thai Christians spread among 4-5 churches in our mid-sized Isaan city. Virtually every Buddhist Thai I meet is either shocked at that number or simply doesn't believe it. "If you're Thai, you're Buddhist," is the prevailing stereotype in Thailand. "Farangs" are stereotyped just as well.

In Northern Thailand the numbers are even higher. I could not even begin to estimate how many Christian Thais there are here. There are also a lot of Muslim Thais up here. My g/f and her brother have never been Buddhist's. I would classify them as being agnostic like their Chinese father was. Saying all Thais are Buddhists is the same as saying that all farangs are Christians.

I recall in the south they ask:

Khun Thai or Khun Islam.

And than if Muslim they use instead of Khun other words (Pang for the man and for the woman???)

Basically in my understanding that means if someone is Thai=Buddhist or Muslim.

Which is very strange for my European ears.