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哥倫布（Christopher Columbus）在1492年，因成功地帶領美洲原住民皈依基督教，而備受稱譽。當年，他抵達西印度群島時，強力迫使當地土著信奉外國宗教。土著人民一向崇尚大自然，他們把屬靈精神寄放在天人結合上。哥倫布跟他同行人，對這種文化完全陌生；更別提他們會有興趣或意願對土著人民宗教信仰系統做進一步理解。他不只強逼當地人民信奉他自己的宗教，還用殘暴的手段施壓，逼使當地人成為他的奴隸（參部落格：奴隸制和歧視）。基督徒一而再、再而三，在全世界各地開拓殖民地。接著用強硬手段，迫使這些新殖民屈從，成為他們的奴隸，繼而將此舉止合理化。他們以「幫助」人民皈依基督教為號召，為的不外乎是想獲取經濟、社會及政治的利益。因此，基督教與殖民主義相提並論一事，早已屢見不鮮了。
有好長的一段時間，基督教是歐洲的國教，他們不斷地伸出宗教的膀臂，來發揮他們殖民的力量。雖然今天殖民主義不是一個常出現的問題，基督教會仍積極提倡宣教工作（參部落格：佈道策略），基於聖經「大使命」的教導：「你們往普天下去，傳福音給萬民聽。」（馬可福音16：15）宣教士傳福音，往往被比擬為在田裡收割莊稼，「要收的莊稼多，做工的人少。」（馬太福音9：37）當宣教士為主贏得靈魂時，大家一起為歡呼收割而讚美主，因為他們「不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。」（彼得後書3： 9）；但當他們遭遇逼迫或拒絕時，他們會透過網絡，懇求跟他們有聯繫的“肢體”為他們禱告，並在經濟上給他們支持。當這些宣教士必須因著不屈不饒的信仰而犧牲己命時（參部落格：雙重標準），全世界的信徒會為這些殉道者悲痛哀傷。
雖然宣教士常常是心懷好意，想要將福音介紹給未得之民，但他們腳底踩的是外國的土地，不一定對別人的文化與人民懷有一顆敏感的心靈。他們不但沒有往自己內心深處去省察，這種侵略性的做法，往往會冒犯、甚至威脅到當地人民；反之，他們擅自去開拓他人的土地，卻又同時不明瞭，為何土著人民對他們所分享的「福音」──好消息，無法理喻。也因他們覺得自己擁有應得的權益，加上他們對他人的傳統、信仰理念和政府規定完全不表尊重，而引起了對方極大的反彈、對抗，甚至導致不可收拾的悲劇。
雖然殖民時代已過，現今基督教機構對普世宣教的方法仍有當年的影子。世界現在對提倡人權、種族平等意識方面的教育比以往提升很多。希望基督教的宣教教育在這方面不要落伍，能與正面的世界潮流思想並肩齊驅，調整自認高人一等宗教的心態（參部落格：排外），以虛心、真愛給予對方他們應得的尊重。
Colonialism
Christopher Columbus gained acclaim in 1492 for successfully leading Native Americans in converting to Christianity. When he arrived in the West Indies that year, he forcefully compelled the local indigenous people to adopt foreign religious beliefs. These native people had long revered nature and placed their spiritual focus on the connection between the natural world and humanity. Columbus and his companions were entirely unfamiliar with this culture, and they had little interest or willingness to understand the indigenous people's religious beliefs. Columbus not only coerced the locals into adopting his own religion but also employed brutal methods to force them into becoming his slaves ( Please refer to my blog post: Slavery and Discrimination). Christians repeatedly, in various parts of the world, established colonies through aggressive means, and then forced these new colonies into submission, often justifying it as a means of "helping" people convert to Christianity for economic, social, and political gain. Thus, the association between Christianity and colonialism is well-documented.
For a considerable period, Christianity was the state religion in Europe, and its religious influence was used to extend colonial power. While colonialism is not a prevalent issue today, Christian churches still actively promote missionary work (Please refer to my blog post: Evangelical Strategies), based on the teachings of the Bible's "Great Commission": "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15). Missionaries often liken evangelism to harvesting crops in the fields, where "the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few" (Matthew 9:37). When missionaries win souls for the Lord, there is collective rejoicing in the harvest and praise to God because they "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). However, when they encounter persecution or resistance, they seek support and prayer from their global "bodies" through networks and provide economic assistance. When these missionaries must sacrifice their lives (Please refer to my blog post: Double Standard) for their unwavering faith, believers worldwide mourn for these martyrs.
Although missionaries often have good intentions of sharing the Gospel with unreached people, they tread on foreign soil, which may not necessarily be accompanied by a deep sensitivity to other cultures and peoples. They might not take the time to introspect and often offend or even threaten local populations with their invasive practices. Rather than recognizing why indigenous people find their message of the "Good News" incomprehensible, missionaries often feel entitled and lack respect for others' traditions, beliefs, and governmental regulations. This can lead to significant backlash, resistance, and even irreparable tragedies.
Although the colonial era has passed, contemporary Christian institutions still carry echoes of past missionary methods. The world has made significant strides in promoting human rights and racial equality awareness. I hope that Christian missionary education can keep pace with these positive global trends, adjusting the mentality of superiority to one of humility (Please refer to my blog post: Exclusiveness) and genuine love, and showing respect to others as they deserve.
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