The Poisonwood Bible (Book 2: Revelations and Book 3: The Judges) - Culture and Morality

3/7/2019

There is often a sense of moral ambiguity that one can experience because of cultural conflict. I’ve often been faced with questions such as, "Do I believe this is right or wrong because of the way I was raised, or is it right or wrong because of a universal set of morals that all humans share?"

As we read The Poisonwood Bible, we encounter these kind of questions constantly. Some Westerners are immediately put off by many aspects of Kikongo culture (and the culture of the Prices!) portrayed in the novel, such as their treatment of women and twins, and well as some of their ideals related to marriage and education. Yet, I still question how much my culture influences my perspective and moral standing on these issues.

Reflect on these tensions for yourself, and compose a piece of personal writing addressing some (not all) of these questions:
- To what extent do you think our morals are defined by our home cultures?
- Do you think it is ever appropriate to say that the traditions or values of another culture are immoral?
- Have you had any cross-cultural experiences in your own life that made you realize that perhaps what is considered right and wrong in your own culture may not be universal?
- Have you wrestled with these tensions as you read The Poisonwood Bible as well?

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use a name that you select as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Friday 3/8!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful, and thorough writing. Please use your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday 3/10!

Edward Newgate

3/8/2019 11:23:48 am

I believe our morals are very greatly defined by our home cultures. We are raised by our parents ideals and most times grow up to have similar way of thinking. For example, in my home country of Peru it is still very normal and sometimes expected for the mother to be a stay at home mom and only have to worry about Stay-at-home mom chores. My mom was raised on this ideal, and has allways refused to help us work on the outside of the house because that's "Man's work". My dad, had been raised by an Olympic Track and Field Coach, He shaped my dad and uncles to be strong, disciplined athletes. However, I believe that sometimes traditions can be very immoral and negatively affect younger generations. My grandfather had never been one to show his emotions. and therefore, my father never had a role model to talk to. This lack of communication and parenting really hurt my dad, which is why he never forgets to let me know everything. To an excessive extent. Sometimes, Parents would have old ideals that they enforce on their children that could hinder their development as well as their own moral understanding of society. Luckily, I believe as years pass, parents are starting to acknowledge which traditions should be enforced, and which should be left in history.

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3/8/2019 12:12:37 pm

Let me tell you something, I think that people often confuse morals with cultures. Cultures come from a place where you live, as soon as you leave that place, that's it you are out, you are still gonna be there but you are obviously gonna adopt other culture. I feel like we are talking more about liberal vs conservatives. Conservatives stay the way they are and liberals look for new thing and that's where the morals come. Cultures don't have anything to with them because they have both. The thing is that if you are good, you are gonna have good morals, these things are taught by our life experiences.

Flora

3/8/2019 12:29:01 pm

I very much agree that the older generation, of many cultures, have very set morals. I think apart of it is also that many people of older-generations refuse to changes their views and values despite the ever-changing world. I know that even my own grandparents have view that compared to today are very archaic. Its nice to see when older people allow themselves to get better and then in turn make the next generation better than them, like your father being better at communicating that your grandfather.

Fauna

3/8/2019 12:36:28 pm

Your point about the older generations is interesting. The conflict between the older generations and the younger ones is due to their differences in beliefs and priorities. The younger generations were raised and born with the current issues we now face and have to deal with. This includes technological advances. But, because the older generations are so fixated on the issues they faced in the past, it is difficult to negotiate between the two groups.

Poisonwood

3/10/2019 11:37:21 pm

I enjoy your detailed experience with culture affecting our way of life. A great example of divided morals is the different generations we grew up in. Our parents and grandparents have much "higher" morals than our generation as viewed by them, and I find it okay as long it doesn't both our own culture and morals and what we want to shape our future into. Even though we think differently, we still have many morals we believe to be in common like holding responsibility and generally better to work as a group. I also appreciate the way our culture affects us in return. Like how your dad communicates unlike your grandfather, it shows evolution. Although I doubt some of the things we start to see as right can be called improvement, I like the idea that culture will always change and humanity will always live differently in the future than in the present.

3/8/2019 11:28:14 am

Cultures are something that define our purpose in this world. But living on this planet we know that there are god knows how many cultures. The question is that 'do our cultures really define our morals;. The thing is that each culture is different from one another and when it comes to morals, I don't think so that it is true that morals are defined by our culture. I think that morals are something that we learn as we are growing. When I was a kid, after every story they used to ask us the moral of it. I think that this tells me that stories have no culture. Nor do morals. Culture is more of tradition that we are following and by that I mean our songs, poetry and dress, they are not morals, they are just traditions and they change all the time. No matter which culture you are from, it doesn't mean that you are forgetting morals or you are now a bad person. Cultures don't tell us the morals our life experience tell us the morals of it. Today everybody has different cultures and we judge them or sometimes we don't accept just because their lifestyle is music from us. Nobody has that right to say something about the other's culture, If you don't like it it's okay, but keep your opinions to yourself, the question is how do you know that your culture is better than the others.

3/8/2019 12:28:35 pm

I understand where you are coming from, because a lot of societies problems come from lack of empathy towards someone else's culture, religion, etc. However, I have to disagree as our morals can definitely be defined by our culture. Lets say a new race of humans is found in the unexplored regions of the Amazon rain forest. And for the thousands of years that they have developed their culture involved sacrificing people that were not capable of working. In our modern world, that would be considered extremely immoral and unnecessary. But the people in their culture have an extreme case of Utilitarianism, and believe that the killings are okay because the resources that are wasted on people who would not contribute anything. People from that race would have no problem with that because they have been taught to think like this. Their morals would be a lot different than ours. Different Cultures provide different ways of thinking that influence the way we interact.

xlea

3/8/2019 11:43:51 am

I feel that our morals are not totally defined by our home cultures because there are
many families that have good parents but you can see that their kids are still bad with anger problems that do things that are not necessarily good.Then you have other families that have bad parents that do drugs but their kids are good and try to be better than that. Examples of this can be seen in the book “ The Poisonwood Bible” by Nathan's daughter Rachel who hates everything about the congo and wants to go back home. You also have Leah who in the beginning of the book loves her father and tries to make him proud. You can see how Nathan and Orleanna are both good parents but their kids all have different morals and needs. I feel that it is appropriate to say some traditions or other cultures are immoral because there are some cultures that kill elephants,lions and other animals for parts of their body because they think it can cure cancer and diseases. Their are proven studies that show that these animal parts have nothing to do with curing anything… which so that it is inhumane and immoral to be killing innocent animals. There are also other groups like ISIS that beheaded people and want to restrict how people learn and their belief how things should be.
I can't remember a time that I came across a cross cultural experience in my own life that wouldn't be universal.No I haven't come across any of these tensions in the “Poisonwood Bible”.

Word count 264

3/8/2019 12:22:13 pm

I think you agree with me, but I don't think that family has something to do with your morals, I mean they do but if you come from a family who are druggie and are or were gang members, I don't think you are really gonna go there, we as human beings have a concept of freedom where we demand to make our own choices and that tells us that yes we have a choice but it's own us what we are gonna do with it.And last thing I wanna include is that we live in 21st century where all our cultures are crossed with each other in some way.

3/8/2019 12:15:04 pm

I think that every culture and family has a distinct set of morals. The morals may vary greatly differ from culture to culture and in many cases, these morals are passed down through generations. I was brought up in a Caribbean and Christian household so I think that morals are more defined. I live with my grandmother who held many values that she tried to put upon me as a child. She believed that on sundays girls are supposed to clean the house and she made a big emphasize on the belief that girls should be very cleanly. These are just a few of traditions or morals typically held by most caribbean people. The standards are held so uptight that a child could be harshly scolded by elders for not respecting them (even if the child doesn’t even know the adult) or the child could build a bad reputation for doing things outside those standard. I don’t think it is appropriate to say that traditions or values of another culture are immoral unless those morals are harming many people practicing it or bystanders. If the moral isn’t harming anyone's mental, physical, or emotional health, they’re generally okay. Especially if the moral overall is a positive experience for people.
word count: 208

3/8/2019 12:26:15 pm

I agree with all of your points; the relationship between cultures and morals differ depending on the culture and how implemented these morals are. Because all cultures are so different, it is difficult to pinpoint just how influential our home cultures are to our morals. Some people stick to the morals they gain as kids while others add a twist to them or even change them all together.
Your point about how and when someone’s traditions should be considered immoral is also realistic because your own beliefs should influence your own life, as others should do the same. It is not fair or okay to force your own beliefs or traditions onto someone else.
WC: 114

wee woo

3/10/2019 07:48:11 pm

I agree with all of the points you made one-hundred percent. I specifically agree with the idea that traditions and values of one’s culture should not be considered immoral as long as they are causing no harm. In my primary post I also touched on this — how it is not appropriate for people of different cultures to judge those of another culture because they are not living it. On the outside, you do not actually know what takes place and is experienced in another culture, and it is not your business to either. I also like how you mentioned that different traditions are typically a positive experience because many people might not realize that.
word count: 115

Atropa Belladonna

3/10/2019 08:07:49 pm

I agree with you completely, especially when you're talking about traditions being passed down and almost forced upon younger generations. In my household, they believe that women should be in the kitchen or stay in the house because raising the children was her "job" which I always found strange because the whole family should raise the child, not just the mother and/or eldest daughter.

3/8/2019 12:18:37 pm

I was raised in an Asian family that focussed on how we want to be treated and what to expect from ourselves. My parents always emphasized that I need to treat my elders with respect no matter who they are, and that I should do everything I can to become successful, and therefore provide for them when they are old. I listened to this advice heavily as a child, which has helped me in the long run. But as I began to age and understand the workings of society, my morals changed. I believe that no matter who it is, I will only give respect to those who deserve it and give me respect in return. I believe that our home cultures play a large influence on our morals in early development, but as people age, they tend to develop their own.
I don’t think it is generally appropriate to say that the traditions or values of another culture are immoral because we should respect others’ and their own beliefs. But, if someone else’s traditions harm others in any way, then I think it can be considered immoral. For example, if someone’s beliefs include inflicting harm and hatred towards other people, then I don’t think it is appropriate to leave them alone. Traditions should influence your life for the better, not harm other people’s lives.

3/8/2019 12:18:57 pm

WC: 225

3/10/2019 08:19:35 pm

I really liked what you had to say and your stance on this prompt. The details about your own culture that you included in your response were very intriguing to me because it just goes to prove the point that each culture is very different. I also agree with you on not considering other cultures and traditions to be immoral as long as no harm is being caused. I liked how you said that traditions should impact our lives positively, not to cause harm because I never thought of traditions specifically in that way. Furthermore, I just thought of them casually, like “oh it’s just a tradition,” but really it is more than that, it influences who you are.
word count: 119

3/8/2019 09:46:08 pm

I think our morals are heavily defined by our home lives. Whether good or bad, the things we see and experience at home have the greatest influence on how we see the world. In terms of religion, race, etc., examples set by our family members have an effect on us. It doesn’t matter if we agree with those morals or not, we will find ourselves thinking along those lines when faced with certain situations. We, of course have the capacity to form our own ideas and make our own judgements, but we can’t consciously do that without taking into account the things we’ve learned at home. I personally don’t think it’s appropriate to say that the traditions and/or values of other cultures are immoral, the only exception being if they bring harm to others. But if it’s not harming anyone or anything, I see nothing wrong with the traditions of other cultures. The only cross-cultural difference I’ve really seen is in terms of how children are raised and disciplined. In places like America, children are sheltered and guided carefully, brought up together and told to do all they can do. Where I’m from, the children are taught then left alone, and they’re expected to be the best of the best or go elsewhere and they are not disciplined lightly. I think that people should take notes from both sides of the spectrum- let your children make their own mistakes, but be there to help them if they need it and push them to be the best they can be.

Word Count: 260

Narcissus

3/10/2019 11:02:28 pm

I agree with the point that you made, that it is important to take ideas from multiple morals of cultures. Especially when it comes to raising children and our school systems. Where my family is from, children are very disciplined so it is a contrast from the way things work with many American children. Neither work better necessarily but it is important to understand what works for individuals and why judgment of other cultural morals shouldn't occur.

3/8/2019 10:11:26 pm

I feel that each culture and/or family has a different set of morals. This impacts a person in a way that influences their views on other cultures. For example, if someone from one culture is used to having monogamous marriages and then they meet people of a culture that practices polygamy, they may find it immoral. I feel that labeling someone else’s culture as “immoral” is an opinion and unless it directly impacts you, you shouldn’t worry about it. Each culture is unique in its own way and is that way for a reason. It is not right to judge or name immoral another culture just because you are not familiar with it. This also relates to cultures where people wear traditional clothing covering their entire bodies. I have seen people in burkas get stared at or given some kind of look by people who are unfamiliar with their religion and culture. This goes to show how people can be inappropriate about others’ cultures, however, I believe people should mind their business and worry only about their culture and the things that affect them.
A cross-cultural experience I have had was when I realized that the culture of my family household is much different from some of my friends’. When I was younger, and even now, I noticed that the way some of my friends converse with their parents is much different from the way I do. Specifically, my mom and I share nearly everything with each other, like best friends, while friends of mine consider their mother to be an authority figure and only speak with her as needed.

3/8/2019 10:12:06 pm

word count: 271 hehehe

3/10/2019 07:50:57 pm

I agree with everything you said. Other people's cultures and traditions should never be mocked if they're not really affecting you. I've also come across this cross cultural difference, except I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I feel like other people talk to their parents more like acquaintances or even as friends, which is different from the way I speak to them. I've always been taught to speak to them almost as if I were speaking to a teacher- not necessarily in a fearful way, but in a way that shows only the utmost respect and never really casually.

3/10/2019 11:43:52 pm

I don't believe to be your perception of your mother to be a complete culture based influence. Sure media and appearances treat mothers as a general authority, but the way you and your mother interact is slightly influenced by her reaction towards how she grew up. I am unaware of the circumstances of which she grew up in, but if her mother had previously been cold, then maybe she learned from the experience and wanted to treat her child differently. Maybe her parent figure was not present and she had no example to base her mothering off of. Any way it goes, I feel like your experience was not off directly culture but your mother's reaction from the culture she experienced.

3/8/2019 11:56:49 pm

I think our morals are structured by our surroundings as well as the way we rationalize right from wrong. We are conditioned by society as well as our parents to understand what is considered to be socially acceptable. This extends to religious morals, ethics, and rationale. I think basic morals come from how we are raised and are more heavily influenced by culture. Further, and more developed ideas of morality, I believe are internalized and based majorly on experiences. For instance basic morality would say that an act like stealing, is always wrong and will result in negative consequences. However those who rationalize more than the act, but motives and reasoning may say that stealing can be justified if someone was trying to feed their family. In terms of other cultures, I think we can always look at things from an outsider's perspective and judge other cultures based on our own views of morality but we can not say that them as a people are immoral. However, the way I was raised, coming from a culture that has high rates of poverty, I was taught that it was moral to be empathetic as well as being humble. Within my culture, believing that you are superior to another person, based on their circumstances, is wrong. So this influences my answers on whether I believe we can view other cultures as immoral due to their practices or views on morality.

Word Count: 238

3/10/2019 11:50:06 pm

I absolutely agree with everything you've said. At the end of the day, what we consider right or wrong is what we have been taught to perceive that way. there is no clear right or wrong. Most things land on a gray moral area where one could never have an exact answer. Most of the problems in our world come from the lack of Empathy or ability to look at anothers point of view. I respect your culture for having great ideals and morals.

3/9/2019 09:40:37 pm

Morals define a lot of cultures because it also defines what our homes aim to be like. John Winthrop's famous quote, "We shall be a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us" provides much evidence. The underlying point of this quote is that they, the Massachusetts Puritans, were supposed to stand on the moral high ground, and in doing so, it would guide the rest of the growing towns into the right direction. Killing is bad so it is punishable by law. Sex is shunned because it is seen as a sinful act due to previously strict religious beliefs. We don't think about these things a lot in the present, but morals caused this effect on the way we live. It's ingrained enough to the point where we don't think about it.
When it comes to another culture and inappropriateness it really depends on the majority's perspective. Right now, as the world gets more connected through advancing technology, we are starting to merge more beliefs together. It's a requirement in order to work well with one another. Personally, it depends on what tradition or values of another culture that is to be criticized. If it involved something like sacrifices, then I would find it appropriate. Sacrificing is a concept that can divide an individual's desire to live and the group's feeling of necessity for the sacrifice.

Word Count: 231

3/10/2019 11:06:36 pm

I agree that the world is starting to become more cohesive due to the advancement of technology. Because of this, people are able to understand and merge morals and understand other peoples' cultures more. Our development of morals come from many aspects of our lives so the differences in religion, as you stated, as well as experiences, mold our views of right from wrong.

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