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Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific - Religion - Nairaland

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Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 11:09am On Nov 08, 2016
Cargo Religions or Cargo Cults are religious movements most common in the southern Pacific as a result of their unexpected contact with modern technology brought about by more advanced societies. The majority of these cults believe that rituals such as dancing and praying are needed before cargo(processed goods) can be delivered to the inhabitants by their God or ancestors.

These beliefs started when the local inhabitants of the undeveloped south Pacific came in contact with western societies, most prominently during world war two, when united states built military bases on their islands. The inhabitants being mostly famers and hunters were astonished at all the goods the Americans brought, Candy, washing machines, airplanes, radios, canned food. What spurred the movement was that the natives never actually saw the Americans make any of these things, all they they saw the americans do was open shipped cargo and new goods would be waiting for them, and if equipment was spoilt they would put it in a container and ship it to be repaired, so all the natives saw were the cargo bringing and taking goods, they did not understanding the chain of production and assumed that the cargo was magic, and since all they saw the Americans do was sit on their desks and do paper work, they assumed a sort of ritual was only what was needed to receive such beautiful goods, and hence the cult started.

[size=13pt]In John they trust[/size]

The most famous of these Cargo religions is the John Frum cult. Which is said to have began in the 1930 as a sort of resistance against their colonial rulers versions of the story include that john frumm is the alias of a native inhabitant that promised to come with goods others place him as a spirit being. After the Americans came John frumm was considered a white God come to free them from the colonial rulers and bring modern utilities with him, as long as they rejected the missionaries and went back to their normal way of life or traditional custom.
The movement was fought by the missionaries but after the arrival of the Americans in WWII the religion thrived, John Frumm became an American soldier that lived in a volcano and would one day bring lots of goods(cargo) to the inhabitants if they keep praying and continue to live like the old days.

When asked by an explorer how they could live like the old days if john frumm brought modern goods for them.
A chief of the religion replied

“John is a spirit. He knows everything,” the chief says, slipping past the contradiction with the poise of a skilled politician or pastor.
“He’s even more powerful than Jesus.”

“Have you ever seen him?” the explorer asked

“Yes, John comes very often from Yasur to advise me, or I go there to speak with John.”
(a spirit that advises, doesn't it sound familiar?)

“What does he look like?”

“An American!”

“Then why does he live in Yasur(their town)?”

“John moves from America to Yasur and back, going down through the volcano and under the sea.” The chief supplies.

Is his tactic strange and unfamiliar?

After world war two the Americans returned home, and the natives were dismayed that John frumm would join them so they built make shift airstrips to tempt U.S planes to land even going as far as building a control tower out of bamboo and rope, In 1964, one cargo cult on New Hanover Island in Papua New Guinea offered the U.S. government $1,000 for President Lyndon B. Johnson to come and be their paramount chief, but when the Americans failed to return their hopes were crushed, but those of the John frumm cult still have faith that their God will return and up to this day they continue to pray and follow their custom, so that he will return with goods. Each Friday afternoon, hundreds of believers gather and they strum guitars and homemade ukuleles, singing hymns of John Frum’s prophecies and the struggles of the cult’s martyrs. Many carry the same plea: “We’re waiting in our village for you, John. When are you coming with all the cargo you promised us?”
(Sounds like the song "No more sorrows" christians regularly sing)

The explorer after seeing all the prayers and faith that appears to be in vain asks the chief.

“John promised you much cargo more than 60 years ago, and none has come,” he pointed out.
“So why do you keepfaith with him? Why do you still believe in him?”

Chief Isaac shoots him an amused look and replies
“You Christians have been waiting 2,000 years for Jesus to return to earth,” he says,
“and you haven’t given up hope.”
(You have to admit he has a good point)

Does this not remind you of Christianity?

These people have been waiting for their God for 60 years and up till this day are still waiting, some christians will look to them as fools but how is it much different than what you do?
You can read more about the John Frumm religion

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-john-they-trust-109294882/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C2589661858

What do you Christians think of these religions?
Don't derail thread!

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Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by jonbellion(m): 11:18am On Nov 08, 2016
This dude it's like you have time on your hands oo

2 Likes

Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by hopefulLandlord: 11:24am On Nov 08, 2016
amazing thread

2 Likes

Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 11:39am On Nov 08, 2016
jonbellion:
This dude it's like you have time on your hands oo
I was just amazed at this religion. It proves that the human mind can believe anything, these guys have been waiting for 60 years.
You should read the Smithsonian page its epic
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 11:42am On Nov 08, 2016
hopefulLandlord:
amazing thread
Thanks man. When the explorer asked the chief what he would most want from America(which the chief has gone to and still returned to his underdeveloped village) he said a better boat so he can catch more fish for his village people so their lives will be better. He seems like a really nice guy and in no way deserves eternal torture.
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 11:43am On Nov 08, 2016
Intresting....

However It leads me to ask the question :

If say, there suddenly appeared massive spaceships coming to the solar system and the occupants within are translucent beings who can levitate, heal people, move mountains, and what not......

Will they also be glorified as Gods??

Or will we be wiser
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 11:47am On Nov 08, 2016
SirWere:
Intresting....

However It leads me to ask the question :

If say, there suddenly appeared massive spaceships coming to the solar system and the occupants within are translucent beings who can levitate, heal people, move mountains, and what not......

Will they also be glorified as Gods??

Or will we be wiser
If does aliens came to even america and Japan they will be viewed as Gods.
Any significantly advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

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Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by jonbellion(m): 11:54am On Nov 08, 2016
Lennycool:

I was just amazed at this religion. It proves that the human mind can believe anything, these guys have been waiting for 60 years.
You should read the Smithsonian page its epic
lol they go wait tire like christians that have been deceiving themselves from generation to generation upandan for 2000 years now and we still won't hear word

2 Likes

Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 11:58am On Nov 08, 2016
jonbellion:
lol they go wait tire like christians that have been deceiving themselves from generation to generation upandan for 2000 years now and we still won't hear word
The olumba cult is also another one that comes to mind
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 12:40pm On Nov 08, 2016
The chief is just applying the logic of ancestral worship that was in use here in Africa, before they left.

I saw them once worshipping the American flag. They know some of these things have spiritual foundations. "Civilized" people worship the same things in their own way.
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 12:43pm On Nov 08, 2016
SirWere:
Intresting....

However It leads me to ask the question :

If say, there suddenly appeared massive spaceships coming to the solar system and the occupants within are translucent beings who can levitate, heal people, move mountains, and what not......

Will they also be glorified as Gods??

Or will we be wiser
You believe aliens exist? If they do, they must be spiritual rather than physical beings. It's the only way other forms of life could survive in places other than earth.
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 1:32pm On Nov 08, 2016
Muafrika2:

You believe aliens exist? If they do, they must be spiritual rather than physical beings. It's the only way other forms of life could survive in places other than earth.

Seriously....
Please listen to yourself.


The Universe is vast mysterious place.
To claim the only possible physical form of life is here is totally absurd.


And for crissake, Spiritual Alien beings Really?

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Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 1:46pm On Nov 08, 2016
SirWere:


Seriously....
Please listen to yourself.


The Universe is vast mysterious place.
To claim the only possible physical form of life is here is totally absurd.


And for crissake, Spiritual Alien beings Really?

RIIIIIIGHT,
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by hahn(m): 2:04pm On Nov 08, 2016
"The mind will believe anything as long as there is no reason not to"

smiley

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Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by plaetton: 2:47pm On Nov 08, 2016
Yes.
Interesting indeed.

I pondered about this cargo cult phenomenon and its similarities to modern day Pentecostalism in Nigeria on a similar thread a while back.

https://www.nairaland.com/1195265/re-problems-black-man-african

1 Like

Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Image123(m): 3:09pm On Nov 08, 2016
Make i come back,
@lennycool
There's nothing much to this. It simply proves the point that we(humans) are naturally wired to worship. We were created that way, we find ultimate fulfillment in worship. It's like a fish to swimming or to water. There's that drive, that thirst for God or some form of god(from wood to iron to money to self to attainment or accomplishment to nature). We all have some god, though you should know only God truly and fully satisfies. Something Jesus said about never thirst again.

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Stephendamsoho , EyeHateGod , FearGodAndLive Kevoh ,
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DeSepiero , charix , GoodMuyis , jonbellion , menxer seun
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Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Deicide: 3:12pm On Nov 08, 2016
Muafrika2:

You believe aliens exist? If they do, they must be spiritual rather than physical beings. It's the only way other forms of life could survive in places other than earth.
Do you Even Understand what the Word Alien means

3 Likes

Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by hopefulLandlord: 3:22pm On Nov 08, 2016
Deicide:
Do you Even Understand what the Word Alien means
obviously, she doesn't

3 Likes

Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Deicide: 3:27pm On Nov 08, 2016
hopefulLandlord:


obviously, she doesn't
Maybe He is Confusing it For Extraterrestrial s in Hollywood

2 Likes

Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by jonbellion(m): 3:29pm On Nov 08, 2016
hopefulLandlord:


obviously, she doesn't
lol they are confused in all works of life

2 Likes

Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 3:38pm On Nov 08, 2016
Deicide:

Do you Even Understand what the Word Alien means
I suspect am about to find out,
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 3:39pm On Nov 08, 2016
What am I doing here undecided
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Deicide: 3:41pm On Nov 08, 2016
Muafrika2:

I suspect am about to find out,
Why Make Ignorant Remarks at First?
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 3:52pm On Nov 08, 2016
Deicide:

Why Make Ignorant Remarks at First?
Are you going to throw a tantrum or to put forth your understanding/arguments? undecided

Stop getting emotional man undecided

Now go ahead. About aliens.(Assuming you had something to say about that). ATHEISTS! !!
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 3:54pm On Nov 08, 2016
Lennycool these guys are derailing your thread.
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Deicide: 3:56pm On Nov 08, 2016
Muafrika2:

Are you going to throw a tantrum or to put forth your understanding/arguments? undecided

Stop getting emotional man undecided

Now go ahead. About aliens.(Assuming you had something to say about that). ATHEISTS! !!
You Don't Know what the Meaning Of the word Alien means Yet You when Ahead To make Assumptions On it Calling it Spirit? Isn't that Ignorance?

1 Like

Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 3:58pm On Nov 08, 2016
Deicide:

You Don't Know what the Meaning Of the word Alien means Yet You when Ahead To make Assumptions On it Calling it Spirit? Isn't that Ignorance?
First, I think believing in aliens is like believing in a spaghetti monster. BUT

Go on...

So aliens are .... what..? undecided
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Deicide: 4:02pm On Nov 08, 2016
Muafrika2:
First, I think believing in aliens is like believing in a spaghetti monster. BUT

Go on...

So aliens are .... what..? undecided
You Still Don't Get what Aliens means? Please how Old are You?
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 4:10pm On Nov 08, 2016
Deicide:

You Still Don't Get what Aliens means? Please how Old are You?
Enough to be your aunt. so watch your tone angry
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Deicide: 4:16pm On Nov 08, 2016
Muafrika2:

Enough to be your aunt. so watch your tone angry
Oh You Even Female ? Sorry You must be 70 then?
Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by UyiIredi(m): 4:18pm On Nov 08, 2016
SirWere:


Seriously....
Please listen to yourself.


The Universe is vast mysterious place.
To claim the only possible physical form of life is here is totally absurd.


And for crissake, Spiritual Alien beings Really?

The absurd thing is claiming there is alien life. There is absolutely no evidence for this despite decades of intensive search. I find it curious that some atheists are eager to believe in unseen aliens yet won't apply this logic to an invisible God.

1 Like

Re: Examining Religion: The Interesting Cargo Religions Of The Pacific by Nobody: 4:25pm On Nov 08, 2016
Deicide:

Oh You Even Female ? Sorry You must be 70 then?
That's even better. MORE wisdom. go on with your aliens story.

Are going to start with the kidnappings? grin

This is about to get funny grin grin

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