A problem of presence and the impact of history — a critical engagement
A Problem of Presence and its critical view on the importance of thoughtful comparisons is something that has has a great affect on the way in which critical analysis should take place. Engelke argues that there are many ways to interpret thoughts and processes of being and understanding and placing general guidelines and expectations on something like religion can cause great divides and problems within similar communities.
One of the greatest takeaways from Engelke’s observation of these differences is based on the history and understanding of the groups. The history of group of Christians that Engelke studied were the Masowe Apostles, who’s history played a great part in their interpretation of one of the most common and universal religions in the world.
Specifically on page 9, the Masowe Apostles question- “‘how a religious subject defines and claims to construct a relationship with the divine through the investment of authority and meaning in certain words, actions and objects.” This then draws in an even larger picture of the role of authority and the way in which power plays into religion and relationships. Christianity was brought into many African countries to change the established culture into more of a civilized one. While this is present in many places, especially those that were colonized, the history also plays into many different ways of being.
The Masowe Apostles do not use the bible for many reasons, but many of the reasons tie into the ways in which the colonizers used the Bible as a way to oppress and generate more power. This lesson is really important because of the way in which it draws many historical and relative perspectives together. Knowing the history of a group of people, their environment or even the objects that they interact with on a daily basis is important to understand they way in which they function currently.
In an investigation, research proposal or even in everyday life it is important to research the ways in which the past has impacted the ways that a group functions. With Engelke’s investigation of the Masonwe Apostles he compared something that was seen as a greatly traditional and systematic process such as practicing Christianity and turned it to a very subjective lense in the analysis of why a certain group treated something so prominent to the faith with such great disregard.
Within the study of history of something it is also important to think of the historical impact and background that an object has had. Relating back to the quote, many people have interpreted the Bible in ways that have lead to great controversy, devastation and wars. A few topics that are involved within interpretation of the Bible include but are most definitely not limited to- The Holocaust, marriage equality, domestic terrorism, abortion, domestic abuse and the list goes on and one.
Historical context and interpretation are of great importance when researching interaction and groups of people.
