East or West?

Julianne Nguyen
Aug 22, 2017 · 2 min read

Hmm.

- I now understand how difficult it is when someone imposes a ‘new’ belief system on a person who has already inherited a ‘religion’ since their childhood.

When I say ‘religion,’ using my experience, I mean a mixture of complex values of identity, cultural and personal ‘…’ (sorry I can’t think of the word).

My backstory goes something like this…

In the beginning, I was ‘open’ to religion or this ‘spiritual’ experience. I was like a ‘sponge’ — letting every word, phrase, scripture seep through my mind. There was no ‘filter.’ I guess you can say, I ‘accepted’ every invitation to Bible study/Book of Mormon lessons/to church etc.

Then, along came people with different religions, of different sects, of different churches, from different families of different locations…

I explored a lot about ‘Christianity.’

I don’t mean to demean someone’s nationality and background, but I picture mainly ‘white’ people in the category of Christians. I have met ‘asian’ Christians and I think they are ‘revolutionary.’ Their way of living is like the West — informal, free and nice…

For those who don’t know a lot about ‘asian’ culture, it is deep and traditional…

I lived a multi-faceted life. I acted both Western and Eastern. I was an Eastern girl at home with my four siblings and my Vietnamese parents. I was the oldest & head daughter of the family — responsibilities, responsibilities and responsibilities.

When I was out, I was the open, casual, intellectual girl who was curious about everything — philosophy, psychology and the world. I could laugh out loud, state my opinion, ask questions and the whole lot…

Hmm, are you getting some patterns from this?

Today, I am slowly starting to accept my culture and tradition. I don’t think I can ever abandon that. If I say ‘no’ to my religion, it is implying that I’m not ‘Vietnamese’ or ‘asian’ anymore.

An elderly man I met at a ‘multi-faith’ environment and faith organisation asked me if I’m Christian.

I didn’t say anything. He tried again. Buddhist?

‘Um’ was all I could muster.

Or both?

I like that. ‘Christian-Buddhist.’

I’ll leave it as that. Challenging other people’s views and apologetics can be for another time some day.

I’m going to let experience, learning, immersing in my daily culture guide my life.

Sighh, only for now…

Chao (bye in Vietnamese),

j-nguyen

22/08/17 ^ first draft.

)

Julianne Nguyen
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