One thing that I don't get is how many people/organizations refer to China as "East Asia" when talking about the country (as opposed to the general geographic region composed of China, Japan, the Koreas, and Mongolia) in a ministry context.
I appreciate the need to be secure from a government which may be less than receptive, and there are many prudent security measures one should take when doing ministry in China or another restricted country -- eg, using encrypted communications and prudent IT security practices, not naming specific people, techniques, or places of ministry, etc.
But substituting "East Asia" for "China" as if the latter is some curse word? Come on. Do anyone REALLY think the Chinese government is so clueless that it can't figure that one out? They sent someone into space; I'm sure they realize just what all those well-intentioned but misguided folks mean when they say "East Asia".
Furthermore, the very fact that "East Asia" is used immediately draws attention to the fact that you want the name of the country hidden, and therefore, must be up to something involving deceit.
Thusly, many respected missions organizations (including the organization that pioneered modern missionary work there) eschew this silly and counterproductive obfuscation. But many others continue to do so. Why, I have no idea.
Anyhow, if something is so sensitive that you don't want to disclose even the name of the country openly, don't talk about it in an open forum... period.
Comments (3)
Good thoughts, Mark. Also me reminds me how often times people use the dad forGod in their e-mail exchanges. As my former roommate so shrewdly commented, "Don't you think the Chinese government would get a just a little suspicious that all these people have the same dad? And the fact that none of them share even the same last name?" Haha.
Posted by joeyguhguh | September 17, 2004 12:58 AM
Posted on September 17, 2004 00:58
hmm you seem mad mark. sernenity now, you are a but a leaf flowing down the river of time. serenity now homie cheese =] but i guess it could be one of those Oriental things huh where its offensive to asians but doesn't seem offensive outside that sphere.
Posted by b_b0i | September 17, 2004 4:27 AM
Posted on September 17, 2004 04:27
I'm not mad or offended whatsoever -- there's nothing inherently offensive about the "East Asia" term.
I just find this practice rather silly, that's all, and something that hurts rather than helps ministry in China and other closed countries (for reasons described above).
Posted by ryu2 | September 17, 2004 4:39 AM
Posted on September 17, 2004 04:39