It
is certainly true that everyone touches the essence of postmodernism in
each context. Today, I am going to have a critical study on how the
sense of Post Modernism influences in the lives of Mizo Christian youths
in this present day. The primary purpose of this paper is the advantage
and disadvantage of Post Modernism in Mizo Christian youths, how it
affects in the religious lives and in the cultural, and how it affects
the lives of Mizo Christian youths.
Meaning of Postmodernism
Postmodernism
is related to the term "modernism". "Post" means to come after. In
other words, postmodern thought is that which comes after or develops
from modernistic thought.[1]Therefore,
it’s a neutral term used to describe the state of flux we are currently
experiencing. Postmodern is not necessarily the opposite of modern; it
is simply a shift in the way we process our worlds.[2]
Postmodernity is the state or condition of being postmodern – after or in reaction to that which is modern, as in postmodern art (see postmodernism). Modernity is defined as a period or condition loosely identified with the Progressive Era, the Industrial Revolution, or the Enlightenment. In philosophy and critical theory postmodernity refers to the state or condition of society which is said to exist after modernity, a historical condition that marks the reasons for the end of modernity. This usage is ascribed to the philosophers Jean-François Lyotard and Jean Baudrillard.[3]
Postmodernity is the state or condition of being postmodern – after or in reaction to that which is modern, as in postmodern art (see postmodernism). Modernity is defined as a period or condition loosely identified with the Progressive Era, the Industrial Revolution, or the Enlightenment. In philosophy and critical theory postmodernity refers to the state or condition of society which is said to exist after modernity, a historical condition that marks the reasons for the end of modernity. This usage is ascribed to the philosophers Jean-François Lyotard and Jean Baudrillard.[3]
Development of Postmodernism
The
life in the world is dated such as enlightenment age/age of reason,
modern age, post-modern age and knowledge age. This present age is the
world created by post-modern-world. This present age is called knowledge
age. Still being the name of the age of IT (Information Technology),
history and news in the world spread rapidly in the worldwide at the
same time. Therefore, this makes the word as Global Village. This I.T
age produces the Globalizations for different countries. We are able to
contact each other from different places.[4]
Modernism refers to a certain period of western cultural, artistic and sociological history. This period covers the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Modernism is a vague and general term that refers to a period of great change in the western world. This change refers mainly to an alteration in thinking and a development of different views of reality. There are a number of historical factors that are important in understanding of modernism. One of the main factors that precipitated this radical change in thinking was the First World War. This war was so devastating and, with the introduction of modern technology, tanks and planes, it changed the perception of Europeans towards their authorities and led them to question the powers that be and the "establishment". Something must be wrong, they thought, when almost an entire generation of young Englishmen was exterminated for no real purpose.[5]
Modernism refers to a certain period of western cultural, artistic and sociological history. This period covers the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Modernism is a vague and general term that refers to a period of great change in the western world. This change refers mainly to an alteration in thinking and a development of different views of reality. There are a number of historical factors that are important in understanding of modernism. One of the main factors that precipitated this radical change in thinking was the First World War. This war was so devastating and, with the introduction of modern technology, tanks and planes, it changed the perception of Europeans towards their authorities and led them to question the powers that be and the "establishment". Something must be wrong, they thought, when almost an entire generation of young Englishmen was exterminated for no real purpose.[5]
A Brief Historical Background of Postmodernism
Postmodernity
(also spelled post-modernity or termed the postmodern condition) is
generally used to describe the economic or cultural state or condition
of society which is said to exist after modernity. Some schools of
thought hold that modernity ended in the late 20th century, in the 1980s
or early 1990s, replaced by postmodernity, while others would extend
modernity to cover the developments denoted by postmodernity, while some
believe that modernity ended after World War II.
Postmodernity is a condition or a state of being associated with changes to institutions and conditions (Giddens, 1990) and with social and political results and innovations, globally but especially in the West since the 1950s, whereas postmodernism is an aesthetic, literary, political or social philosophy, the "cultural and intellectual phenomenon", especially since the 1920s' new movements in the arts. Both of these terms are used by philosophers, social scientists and social critics to refer to aspects of contemporary culture, economics and society that are the result of features of late 20th century and early 21st century life, including the fragmentation of authority and the commoditization of knowledge.[6]
Postmodernity is a condition or a state of being associated with changes to institutions and conditions (Giddens, 1990) and with social and political results and innovations, globally but especially in the West since the 1950s, whereas postmodernism is an aesthetic, literary, political or social philosophy, the "cultural and intellectual phenomenon", especially since the 1920s' new movements in the arts. Both of these terms are used by philosophers, social scientists and social critics to refer to aspects of contemporary culture, economics and society that are the result of features of late 20th century and early 21st century life, including the fragmentation of authority and the commoditization of knowledge.[6]
The General Ideas of Postmodernism
Postmodernism
is related to the term "modernism". "Post" means to come after. In
other words, postmodern thought is that which comes after or develops
from modernistic thought. In the view of Modernism, there is no absolute
truth. It has a measurement which will measure the truth and false.
However, in the view of Postmodernism, there is no absolute truth. All
is truth upon its own place and time. It is called ‘relative truth’.[7]In the postmodern worldview, everything is contingent; nothing is fixed.
First, reality is ultimately unknowable. Our “situatedness” prevents us from directly accessing the real world or having true knowledge about it. This is not to say that the real world is not there, only that we can never shed our perspectives to access it. No one has a “god’s eye view” of reality; therefore no one can claim to have the truth about it.
Second, truth and knowledge are constructions of language. They reflect the perspective of the one who is claiming, but should not be confused as a statement of fact about actual reality. Of course, if truth merely reflects one’s perspective and does not actually represent anything about objective reality, it cannot be absolute. This is an inescapable conclusion of the postmodern worldview: there is no absolute truth; there are only “truths.” It is important to note that postmodernism does not necessarily argue that each person has their own truth, but that our perspectives on what is true are shaped largely by the communities, or cultures, we find ourselves in. Each community constructs, through language, its own story of the world. No story is more true than another.[8]
One of the main characteristics of postmodern thinking is that the world is seen as a much more complex and uncertain place. Reality is no longer fixed or determined. All truth within a postmodern context is relative to one's viewpoint or stance. The world is a representation. In other words, it is a fiction created from a specific point of view only, and not a final truth. This is an uncomfortable viewpoint for many people and there is a much misunderstanding about this idea of postmodernism. Postmodernism is essentially still in its infancy. It is an attempt to think beyond the confines of the past.[9]
First, reality is ultimately unknowable. Our “situatedness” prevents us from directly accessing the real world or having true knowledge about it. This is not to say that the real world is not there, only that we can never shed our perspectives to access it. No one has a “god’s eye view” of reality; therefore no one can claim to have the truth about it.
Second, truth and knowledge are constructions of language. They reflect the perspective of the one who is claiming, but should not be confused as a statement of fact about actual reality. Of course, if truth merely reflects one’s perspective and does not actually represent anything about objective reality, it cannot be absolute. This is an inescapable conclusion of the postmodern worldview: there is no absolute truth; there are only “truths.” It is important to note that postmodernism does not necessarily argue that each person has their own truth, but that our perspectives on what is true are shaped largely by the communities, or cultures, we find ourselves in. Each community constructs, through language, its own story of the world. No story is more true than another.[8]
One of the main characteristics of postmodern thinking is that the world is seen as a much more complex and uncertain place. Reality is no longer fixed or determined. All truth within a postmodern context is relative to one's viewpoint or stance. The world is a representation. In other words, it is a fiction created from a specific point of view only, and not a final truth. This is an uncomfortable viewpoint for many people and there is a much misunderstanding about this idea of postmodernism. Postmodernism is essentially still in its infancy. It is an attempt to think beyond the confines of the past.[9]
The Influences of Postmodernism in Mizo Christians Youths
We
need to realize that this present age is the age of Postmodern.
However, the senses and everything in the ages of modernism are not
totally rejected since the ages of postmodern; but still hidden in
postmodern. It can be said that the age of postmodernism influenced over
the age of modernism.
During the age of Modernism, the standard dress-style of people is suite and necktie in meetings, in worship place and training course, etc. However, in Postmodernism, there is no such standard. People can dress and make up the way them like in worship place or everywhere. If they think what they will do is right, they can do just times. For example, a young man dresses up an earring and applies the adornment of girls. In addition, a young woman sews ‘Thangchhuah puan’ into ‘One-Set’. Some young man and woman also sew ‘Ngotekherh*’ into shirt. Almost all of young man and woman dress T-shirt, and dress jeans trousers. Before now, a woman who dresses jeans trousers is regarded as bad woman. In this present age, however, everywoman can dress whatever they like. In many metropolises, there are many people who dress and make up as whatever they want to do. It might be seemed that we do not regarded them as bad and worse. This event is real transformation. This is real postmodern in the context of Mizo youths. Therefore, Postmodernism did not become as guest. It is known as there is no any standard and discipline.
All human being have their own religious. However, their religious perspectives are different from each other because of their situations (environments) and times. The eastern missionaries built the churches to the southern. Christianity is true all over the world as the teachings of eastern. Therefore, we assume that other religions are not true except Christian religions. This idea might be of the Postmodernism. Therefore, a Christian religion is not better than other religions, and all of them are equal. Therefore, it can be noted as that Postmodernism created the equality of all religions. As a result, the equality of all religions makes Christianity as lower than others. It makes the peace and friendships between each other.[10]
During the age of Modernism, the standard dress-style of people is suite and necktie in meetings, in worship place and training course, etc. However, in Postmodernism, there is no such standard. People can dress and make up the way them like in worship place or everywhere. If they think what they will do is right, they can do just times. For example, a young man dresses up an earring and applies the adornment of girls. In addition, a young woman sews ‘Thangchhuah puan’ into ‘One-Set’. Some young man and woman also sew ‘Ngotekherh*’ into shirt. Almost all of young man and woman dress T-shirt, and dress jeans trousers. Before now, a woman who dresses jeans trousers is regarded as bad woman. In this present age, however, everywoman can dress whatever they like. In many metropolises, there are many people who dress and make up as whatever they want to do. It might be seemed that we do not regarded them as bad and worse. This event is real transformation. This is real postmodern in the context of Mizo youths. Therefore, Postmodernism did not become as guest. It is known as there is no any standard and discipline.
All human being have their own religious. However, their religious perspectives are different from each other because of their situations (environments) and times. The eastern missionaries built the churches to the southern. Christianity is true all over the world as the teachings of eastern. Therefore, we assume that other religions are not true except Christian religions. This idea might be of the Postmodernism. Therefore, a Christian religion is not better than other religions, and all of them are equal. Therefore, it can be noted as that Postmodernism created the equality of all religions. As a result, the equality of all religions makes Christianity as lower than others. It makes the peace and friendships between each other.[10]
Advantages
Then,
as globalization is developed familiarly, we can contact and
correspondence to each other. We make familiarity and friendships with
others by using chatting and email. We can view the world from our
warmly home; it is essential to view what kinds of good or bad to view.
In the age of I.T, personal free choice is the main heart. It becomes
important that youths should choose whether it is constructive or
destructive because of various kinds of display choices. We should live
by the process of our present age. We should be able to apply the
advantages of various kinds of constructive and development in the
present age for human beings and the world. To be able to apply these
advantages, we need to interest in the culture of the I.T age. In the
mixed cultures in the world, we need to preserve the values and
importance of our own cultures and religions.[11]
It can be understood that the lives of modernity is the experiences of knowledge and wisdom. This knowledge not only focuses on the high educational level and degrees, but also focuses on the knowledge and wisdom which can improve our lives, and arts which can prove our lives. These knowledge and wisdom will make us to improve our behaviors and our senses so that we will perceive what is appropriate and appropriate. In addition, it will make us to have good responsibilities. Youths are the mirrors of cultures, and the strength and weakness of cultures are depending upon the responsibilities of youths. Youths are those who make good and also bad, and who construct and also deconstruct things.[12]
We need to bring the new things and new practices or habits that will be appropriate advantages for us. To be able to bring the appropriate advantages for us, it is the exact time to move the idea of “this is not our habit or practice” to the recycle bin like the computer by clicking the computer mouse only once. If we need to use again, we can bring back from the recycle bin. If it is totally no use for us, we can wipe out them from the recycle bin.[13]
Each worldview has its own jewels and baubles. Although mining modernity and postmodernity takes thought, prayer and work, we can uncover much about Jesus Christ from both perspectives. If our families cling to modernity and never question the genuiness of its baubles, we will never fully appreciate its jewels. If we reject postmodernity because of its baubles, we will never experience its jewels.[14] Every parent becomes interested in educational level. They send their children to Boarding Schools. Every year, many children passed the matriculations exams. However, there are also some many people who graduated in the Colleges and Universities, but some do not have any jobs for professional.[15]
It can be understood that the lives of modernity is the experiences of knowledge and wisdom. This knowledge not only focuses on the high educational level and degrees, but also focuses on the knowledge and wisdom which can improve our lives, and arts which can prove our lives. These knowledge and wisdom will make us to improve our behaviors and our senses so that we will perceive what is appropriate and appropriate. In addition, it will make us to have good responsibilities. Youths are the mirrors of cultures, and the strength and weakness of cultures are depending upon the responsibilities of youths. Youths are those who make good and also bad, and who construct and also deconstruct things.[12]
We need to bring the new things and new practices or habits that will be appropriate advantages for us. To be able to bring the appropriate advantages for us, it is the exact time to move the idea of “this is not our habit or practice” to the recycle bin like the computer by clicking the computer mouse only once. If we need to use again, we can bring back from the recycle bin. If it is totally no use for us, we can wipe out them from the recycle bin.[13]
Each worldview has its own jewels and baubles. Although mining modernity and postmodernity takes thought, prayer and work, we can uncover much about Jesus Christ from both perspectives. If our families cling to modernity and never question the genuiness of its baubles, we will never fully appreciate its jewels. If we reject postmodernity because of its baubles, we will never experience its jewels.[14] Every parent becomes interested in educational level. They send their children to Boarding Schools. Every year, many children passed the matriculations exams. However, there are also some many people who graduated in the Colleges and Universities, but some do not have any jobs for professional.[15]
Disadvantages
The
I.T age has the environments that were its enemy and friend, i.e.,
“this is our habit or practice.” Because, the relationship between the
age and the lives of human being is the source of human’s behavior and
dialogue, the dialogue exposes the behavior or manner of human. What we
usually use “this is not our habit or our practice” is against to the
development for youths. Therefore, it will be appropriate that we should
not use “this is not our habit or our practice” to block the guidance
of personality and family lives and in the church, our society and our
local. How it will be more appropriate that we live and find the
advantages and friendships in I.T age.[16]
In this present age, we are influenced by different kinds of media. The
present condition is watching television and video films, and it
attracted youths. Some video films slander the Christianity. On some
films, the murderers and prostitutes dressed up the symbole of Cross. It
makes the audiences to realize that Christians are murderers and
interested in sex. It might be seemed that we assume we ought to
practice.[17]
Postmodernism immediately influences us in our environments. Stepping to Information Technology, we face the age of computer and Internet technology. This makes us “discomfit or hysteria.” We assume that our living standard is becoming high, but our ethics is still lower. What we want to do and our needs are the level of this new age—international level, but the usage way of our instruments and our possessions are not the way of international. Rather than being not afraid of too late to go to the Church, there are several people whoare more interested in watching Korean films, football and other activities than being closer to God. It is said that Postmodernism makes us included in Globalization, we are made included in the world of fashion. The idea of fashion show makes us its slaves in the world of fashion. Some people, therefore, said that fashion industries are rapidly developed today. If we will look at this present age, we can see that when the fashion designers design the clothes of women, they style of designed are the clothes, which show the flesh and the body of woman. It might be seemed that our style of dressing want to show the sexiest body of women. Therefore, we want to show our cultural dresses to renew all over the world.
On the other hands, it is very thankful that our Mizo designers design our cultural dresses to be level to international level. However, it is important to note that we should keep our original tradition, its own situations and times, and our inherited traditions from our grandparents.[18]
Postmodernism immediately influences us in our environments. Stepping to Information Technology, we face the age of computer and Internet technology. This makes us “discomfit or hysteria.” We assume that our living standard is becoming high, but our ethics is still lower. What we want to do and our needs are the level of this new age—international level, but the usage way of our instruments and our possessions are not the way of international. Rather than being not afraid of too late to go to the Church, there are several people whoare more interested in watching Korean films, football and other activities than being closer to God. It is said that Postmodernism makes us included in Globalization, we are made included in the world of fashion. The idea of fashion show makes us its slaves in the world of fashion. Some people, therefore, said that fashion industries are rapidly developed today. If we will look at this present age, we can see that when the fashion designers design the clothes of women, they style of designed are the clothes, which show the flesh and the body of woman. It might be seemed that our style of dressing want to show the sexiest body of women. Therefore, we want to show our cultural dresses to renew all over the world.
On the other hands, it is very thankful that our Mizo designers design our cultural dresses to be level to international level. However, it is important to note that we should keep our original tradition, its own situations and times, and our inherited traditions from our grandparents.[18]
Concluding Remarks
We
can understand that the most influential practices in the world are
Postmodernism. Postmodernism is the remote controller for the
philosophy, behaviors, attitudes, the characteristic and the living
standard of people. As it is written in the above, when the
Postmodernism is initiated in the world, the religions, social,
politics, economics, cultures and traditions, all of them became
transformed in every community, societies, groups, and all over the
world. However, we must realize that where this transforming sway to
destructive or constructive. I thought that many Mizo youths are
interested in only to have the pleasure of Postmodernity, but did not
care the constructive and advantages of it.
We are not living in small villages and can only watch the standards of other countries. We do not understand the exact disciplines of other countries. However, we imitate the behaviors and style of other countries which we had watched in the videos. Therefore, not understanding the exact style of others, we imitate their irrelevant styles. Then, we practice and imitate them in the churches—dress short Skirt dresses, T-shirts like the portray of Satanic and the clothes that cannot cover almost the bodies of women. I think that our Lord will not like those styles. Therefore, if we are going to seek the advantages and constructive of this Postmodernity, it is certainly true that we will found the advantages and constructiveness of this Postmodernity.
Author : David John
We are not living in small villages and can only watch the standards of other countries. We do not understand the exact disciplines of other countries. However, we imitate the behaviors and style of other countries which we had watched in the videos. Therefore, not understanding the exact style of others, we imitate their irrelevant styles. Then, we practice and imitate them in the churches—dress short Skirt dresses, T-shirts like the portray of Satanic and the clothes that cannot cover almost the bodies of women. I think that our Lord will not like those styles. Therefore, if we are going to seek the advantages and constructive of this Postmodernity, it is certainly true that we will found the advantages and constructiveness of this Postmodernity.
Author : David John
[1]Rev. Dr. Ngurliana, Postmodernism leh Thalaite, http://www.zokawtchhuah.com/2009/10/postmodernism-leh-thalaite.html, Internet accessed on February 10, 2013.
[2] Mary E. DeMuth, Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture (USA: Harvest house Publishers Eugene, 2007), 24.
[3]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodernity#Uses_of_the_term, Internet accessed on February 5, 2013.
[4] Gospel Hrilvelthanga, Kan Hun Tawng leh Thalai Nun, http://www.tahantimes.com/?p=447, Internet Accessed on February 5, 2013.
[5]What is the Definition of Postmodernism?http://www.essortment.com/definition-postmodernism-20903.html,Internet accessed on February 9, 2013.
[6]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodernity#Postmodernism, Internet accessed on February 5, 2013.
[7]Ibid, Rev. Dr. Ngurliana, Postmodernism leh Thalaite.
[8] Randall Niles, Postmodern Worldview, http://www.allaboutworldview.org/postmodern-worldview.htm, Internet Accessed on February 9, 2013.
[9]What is the Definition of Postmodernism?
*Ngotekherh is the cultural dresses of Mizo, which is dressed like woman’s skirt.
[10]Ibid, Rev. Dr. Ngurliana, Postmodernism leh Thalaite.
[11]Ibid, Gospel Hrilvelthanga, Kan Hun Tawng leh Thalai Nun.
[12] Pahlira, Thalaite leh Nun Changkang, in Puitlingna Lamtluang (MYA, Methodist Mizo Service, 2006), 66.
[13]Ibid, Gospel Hrilvelthanga, Kan Hun Tawng leh Thalai Nun.
[14] Mary E. DeMuth, Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture (USA: Harvest house Publishers Eugene, 2007), 21-22.
[15] Rev. Khawsiama, Tunlai Zofa Kristian Thalaite Dinhmun: Methodist Kohhran, in Puitlinna Lamtluang (MYA, Methodist Mizo Service, 2006), 76.
[16]Ibid, Gospel Hrilvelthanga, Kan Hun Tawng leh Thalai Nun.
[17]Ibid, Rev. Khawsiama, Tunlai Zofa Kristian Thalaite Dinhmun: Methodist Kohhran, in Puitlinna Lamtluang, 77.
[18]C. Lalrinsanga, Post-Modern Age: Zofate Harsatna, http://www.tahantimes.com/?s=Postmodern+leh+Thalaite, Internet accessed on February 10, 2013.
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