In the South Sea Islands there is an interesting religious movement known as the Cargo Cult. It arose as a native response to the arrival of Europeans laden with the rich fruits of their culture–tools, furniture, clothing, a dazzling cornucopia of goods. The islanders, seeing the lavish beneficence of the Western gods, abandoned their own religious rituals and began imitating what they thought were those of the newcomers. A frenzy of building ensued: warehouses, docks, and airstrips were constructed in the jungles, accompanied with fervent prayers beseeching the gods of the West to shower them with “Cargo.”
There are two explanations for this behavior. One is the racist interpretation that non-Westerners are just plain stupid. This was, of course, the theory of Adolf Hitler, that champion of evolutionary anthropology, who declared that some races are lower on the biological chain–closer to the monkeys–than others, and hence less intelligent. Hard evidence does not support this theory, however, and aside from an occasional Harvard professor, few today would be willing to espouse it in public.
The only other explanation for Cargo-Cult behavior might be called the Worldview Theory. According to this view, the South Sea islanders are not stupid at all. Rather, their activity is quite logical and intelligent, revealing a remarkable capacity to adapt to fresh challenges. It is consistent with their worldview–the paradigm that orders and explains the phenomena of the world around them. The islanders believe in magic, the manipulation of cosmic powers through religious ritual.
Unfortunately for its practitioners, the Cargo-Cult worldview is mistaken. It’s out of touch with the real world. Goods don’t just appear out of nowhere. There’s no such thing as magic.
Where do goods come from? Why does the West have so much “cargo”? Is it, perhaps, an accident of nature? Is the Western difference primarily one of resources?
Not at all, argues P. T. Bauer of the London School of Economics, author of numerous important studies on less-developed countries. He points out the significant ideological factors that have inhibited growth in many non-Western countries: lack of interest in material advance, combined with resignation in the face of poverty; lack of initiative, self-reliance and a sense of personal responsibility for the economic fortune of oneself and one=s family; high leisure preference, together with a lassitude often found in tropical climates; relatively high prestige of passive or contemplative life compared to active living; the prestige of mysticism and of renunciation of the world compared to acquisition and achievement; acceptance of a preordained, unchanging and unchangeable universe; emphasis on performance of duties and acceptance of obligation, rather than on achievement of results, or assertion or even a recognition of personal rights; lack of sustained curiosity, experimentation and interest in change; belief in the efficacy of supernatural and occult forces and of their influence over one’s destiny; insistence in the unity of the organic universe, and on the need to live with nature rather than conquer it or harness it to man=s needs, an attitude of which reluctance to take animal life is a corollary; belief in perpetual reincarnation, which reduces the significance of effort in the course of the present life; recognized status of beggary, together with a lack of stigma in the acceptance of charity.[1]
The civilization of the West was born out of a vastly different perspective, an outlook that owes much to the Biblical worldview of the ancient Hebrews and early Christians. This heritage sets forth a particular theory of our relation to the environment. Western Civilization insists that while we are not absolute masters of our environment, we are not slaves to it or immersed in it, either. Instead, we were placed here by our Creator with a mandate to investigate the world, to shape its future, to transform our environment. Another way of putting all this is to say that Western Civilization insists on the right, and even the necessity, of civilization.
The fact is, the West used to be “non-Western” in outlook, until Europe was transformed by adopting the Christian heritage as its own. As renowned mathematician and philosopher A.N. Whitehead observed, it was “the medieval insistence on the rationality of God”–and therefore of the world as well–that created modern science.
Our civilization has indeed been blessed with a worldview that produces an astounding abundance of “cargo”–a belief in causality and linear history, so that the earth can be investigated and developed; and a commitment to the rule of law in a free society, so that men and women may realize their highest potential through free-market exchanges of goods and services, without fear of tyranny or oppression.[2]
In light of what this worldview has produced, the South Sea islanders’ mistake is understandable. For, while Western Civilization isn’t magic, it may well be a Miracle.
Endnotes:- P. T. Bauer, Dissent on Development (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1976), 78B79. See also David Chilton, Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt-Manipulators (Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics, 1985), Chapter 16: “The Basis for Economic Growth,” 217–228. [↩]
- or comprehensive documentation of this thesis from the Middle Ages until the modern era, see Nathan Rosenberg and L.E. Birdzell, Jr., How the West Grew Rich: The Economic Transformation of the Industrial World (New York: Basic Books, 1986). [↩]
(1951–1997) was a pastor and author of several best-selling books. He contributed three major works on eschatology that have helped to shape the debate over eschatology: "Paradise Restored" (1985), "Days of Vengeance" (1987), and "The Great Tribulation" (1987). His book "Productive Christians in an Age of Guilt-Manipulators: A Biblical Response to Ronald J. Sider" (1981) was a response to Ronald J. Sider’s best-selling book, "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: A Biblical Study" (1977), which promoted various programs of wealth redistribution by the government. Chilton argued that the Bible either does not authorize such programs or explicitly teaches against them. David died in 1997 at the age of 45 due to a heart attack. He was a good friend of American Vision.
Amen, Larry! I am a former gov't school board member and fought the "dumbing down" of American students through outcome based education. So, while I am no expert on education, I do have some experience and when we were presenting test scores to the school administrators, we never divided the students into any type of racial group because we knew that wasn't the problem – it was (is) the CURRICULUM.
One thing these “statistical studies” rarely mention is the fact that the average score for African Americans as of around 1980 matched the normal score for white Americans around 1950, and that the average score for Africans is about one standard deviation unit below that of African Americans. Clearly, something beyond “race” is going on here, mainly differences in schooling and mainstream socialization that account for the presumed differences. As greater proportions of African Americans enter the American mainstream, their test scores will “normalize” with that of whites. Oh, and by the way, the scores of Asian Americans is typically about a standard deviation unit *above* that of average white Americans. I attribute that to the intense focus among Asian Americans on academic achievement and hard work. I remember the fact that my mother, who grew up in the United States but whose native language was Finnish, had a much higher vocabulary than the average American. She was highly motivated to learn the language and her eventual language accomplishments showed it.
I do not think the argument is whether or not all mankind is descended from Adam. We are all from the same beginning, and that is twice. First with Adam and then through Noah. But to draw the conclusion that this necessarily means all men have exactly equal intelligence is wrong. As has been pointed out above by Shotgun, these are statistical results, meaning they do not define an individual's ability.
I work in IT and many of those who have the greatest technical ability (and make me look stupid) speak English like they were schooled on the street. They cannot spell, their grammar is the worst, yet they can understand technical things in ways I cannot. These folk include all different races, nationalities and both genders. At 59 years old, I have learned there are many people who are not of my race, gender nor ethnicity who are much smarter and more capable than I. Thus, I do not categorize any as being of any particular ability nor intelligence.
My point is that regardless of a particular group's or race's standing on intelligence tests, when it comes to individuals there is a broad range. And that range spans from low to high.
It is not until the last three paragraphs of Chilton's article that the reason for the difference between cultures is brought out.. It has to do with one's worldview, and whether that is rooted in the belief or not in the true and living God of the Bible. At the same time we cannot discount the image of God and what that innately drives even fallen man to do as he lives out that broken but real image. What I mean to say is that merely being a Christian does not automatically make one better at anything. It does give one the true and proper understanding of the world in which we live (as long as it is informed by the Bible) and, therefore, a leg up on taking mankind down the right road to creating a righteous and God-honoring society and civilization.
And having a worldview informed by the Bible is where the church today needs to focus today. Too many Christians with the right heart about Christ Jesus then go and address the issues of everyday living according to the anti-biblical principles of fallen men. And they do not even realize it. For example, how can any Christian parent stand allowing their child to be taught in public (or even some Christian) schools, where an atheistic understanding of every subject is the approach? Most do because they have not been taught what the full application of God's Word means for all of life. They like to refer to II Ti 3:16 and Math 28:19 but ignore the context of the adjacent verses. Or even if they do refer to them, they confine the application to personal piety and nothing more.
But I have drifted from the original point here. Regardless of whether all mankind descended from one man, we should not allow statistical differences (resulting from the Fall and Curse of Gen 3?) to alter our understanding of nor interaction with anyone. We are all fallen creatures made in God's image and need to be restored to being able to resume our original mandate from Him by becoming renewed in Christ and then applying his Word to all areas of life.
I see we are caught up in the this race is smarter then that race debate today , I don't care, we have idiots and scientists in all cultures and to demean a race with maybe having more is a sin in of its self. When we talk statistics I cringe because it puts individuals were they should not be. statistics are fine for money matters or scientific matters not related to human beings. To place a sign over any race and name them this or that is not good for the human race and God did not want that , He wants us to be seeking and to find that which is lost . In each family we have different levels of intelligence, so be it in the races also but it is not a end all subject and it just tears at the fabric of humanity to place that on any one race .
I freely admit that before I became a Christian I was one of the most ignorant women on this earth, and in many ways I still lack knowledge; but what I do know is the Lord has created mankind and as Psalm 139 tells us, he not only knit us together in our mother's womb, but also knows everything about us and has ordained all that comes to pass. Now perhaps I could argue that my ignorance (before Christ) was due to my grandparents being poor sharecroppers in the cotton fields of Arkansas. After all, my grandfather was of an "inferior" race – Native American, and he just didn't have the natural ability to provide better for his family. But I suspect the truth is he lived during economically hard times and did the best he could due to the prevailing prejudice against half-breeds. Never mind that his father was a full-blooded red man who shared the Gospel as a circuit rider. Please note that this was providentially due to his adoption by godly white folks as an infant on the Trail of Tears. So, yes, my indoctrination goes back many years and runs very deep.
Well, Siegfried, you have really dug your own hole with your latest comment and I see no need to push you into it as you are doing quite well on your own. Please note that there is no way on earth (or heaven) that you will change my mind. The LORD is Sovereign and He has given ability, intelligence, talents and gifts to those whom He is pleased to and it has nothing to do with our race or ethnic group. It has only to do with His Glory and this is all I need to know.
Thanks for the kind words Mr. Himmel.
Ms. Wittman,
We do agree on far more than we disagree on, and I praise God for people like you who have a clarity that is rare among Americans today.
I don't want to re-hash what Mr. Himmel has already said, but I would like to clarify that the article I linked to was posted by a white man, yes. But the segment I cited was a quote from a black gentleman. (In fact the entire post was a verbatim citation from this same black gentleman.)
His name is never given, but he was one of the participants in a panel discussion organized by the Black Law Students Association of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He concludes that even though there are physical and mental differences among the races, that we shouldn't let this upset us to any great degree. The differences are statistical, and cannot speak to the person we may associate with in the street.
He was talking to blacks who may feel threatened by the data…but I think his observation is equally applied to whites, like yourself, who have been indoctrinated into egalitarianism from an early age and may not realize the correct Christian attitude to have towards this issue.
At any rate, I have my suspicions that God will bring America clarity on this issue. I just hope some of us survive the lesson.
Angela,
(This is honest argumentation; please don't take my tone to be obnoxious.)
You falsely assume that those who believe in intelligence disparities among races also believe that certain races are "inferior" in a metaphysical sense, or that they should be killed. That's simply ludicrous. That's akin to saying that if one individual acknowledges that another individual has a lower IQ, he must want to kill that person.
The fact that we are all made in God's image does not mean that we all have equal abilities. The Christian Confederates did not believe in the intellectual equality of blacks and whites, but they certainly did not deny that they were made in God's image or advocate abortion or genocide. We simply have no biblical impetus to deny that racial differences exist or that the ideal society is one in which disparate races are forced together. In fact, the word "nation" in the Bible refers, not to a group of people who happen to live in the same geographic area under the same government, but to an ethnic group – those descended from a common ancestor, connected by extended kinship.
We're dealing here with statistics and scientific evidence about racial intelligence disparities. If you want to dispute this, address the scientific issues instead of psychologizing your opponents and using the nebulous term "racist." The problem is not that Shotgun is somehow spiritually blinded by "racist" thought, but that Christians have been emasculated by the influence of radicals like MLK Jr. and his unsavory allies into being unable to speak realistically about racial issues. Until the radical influence can be deprogrammed, so-called "colorblind" conservatives will be unable to effectively fight the Left – which, from the beginning, has had as its goal the elimination of national boundaries and ethnic distinctions and the destruction of superior cultures.
Dear Siegfried,
If I may be blunt, it is the attitude of ignorant people who believe certain races are inferior which enables prenatal child-killing to thrive in our society. If people really believe that man is made in God's image and for His glory, they would demand abortion mills be shut down. However, there are those such as Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, who believe there are "inferior races" which should be prevented from bearing children. Hence we have black genocide in America.
I pray Shotgun has only been temporarily influenced by racist thought and he will quickly return to his senses. If he has always thought this way, then may God change his heart and mind.
In defense of Shotgun, there is no reason why we should expect Scripture to comment on every single issue, including race and intelligence. One cannot simply dismiss the vast amounts of evidence for intelligence disparities among races by saying that people who believe in it must have wicked agendas. This is egalitarianism, and it is not scripturally or scientifically grounded. Yes, we all come from the same parents, but that does not mean that we were not differentiated afterward. If Paul can say that "all Cretans are liars, gluttons, and lazy brutes" then we should have the freedom to be candid about population groups in our day. It is interesting how "conservative" Christians are nowadays parroting lines about race that come straight from the mouths of yesterday's radicals.
There are tons of things scripture does not address; the science in this case is unavoidable, despite Mr. Chilton's casual dismissal of it.
From the article I linked to:
There is a huge academic literature on the gaps in cognitive test results, practically all of it converging on the fact that African American mean scores on cognitive tests fall below the white means by a tad more than one white standard deviation. There is in fact so much data on this now that we have meta-studies — studies of the studies: the one best-known to me is the meta-study by Roth et al. in 2001, which covered 39 studies involving nearly six million test-takers. That one standard deviation on cognitive testing has been so persistent across so many decades, a friend of mine, an academic sociologist, calls it "the universal constant of American sociology" — it's like the speed of light in physics.
Dear Shotgun,
You know I have agreed with you on many things in the past, but this time you are 100% wrong. Please search God's Word on this matter and please seek counsel from some of our mutual friends who care about you. The article you linked to is written by a white man who probably has a wicked agenda. Please reconsider your opinion on this matter. If you want to contact me, please go to ChristianLibertyParty.com and email me through the website.
Hey Shotgun,
I must disagree with you… We all come from the same "parents" as in Adam and Eve and while we are all tainted with sin, we have no differences in intelligence due to race. If we did Scripture would address it and it does not.
While I agree with Mr. Chilton's overall conclusion, I think it's careless to use the chilche' "reductio ad hitlerum" argument, especially as an attempted explanatory mechanism for our experience of other cultures.
Just this morning I read the unusual observations of a black man on the IQ differences among races. He pointed out that the amount of studies demonstrating this are so numerous that there are now studies ABOUT the studies! (See his comments here: http://www.alternativeright.com/main/the-magazine… )
The stupidity of some people leads to false notions about the world.
(Ironically, if anyone disagrees and thinks that I've incorrectly understood the situation, then you're simultaneously proving me right!)