The Jesus Film Incident
In October of 1998 we were told that a translation
into Akha language was being planned for the Jesus Film, a project
of Campus Crusade in the United States, the Jesus Film people being
located in racist Florida.
Due to the fact that our translators knew
that the Paul W. Lewis version of the New Testament for Akha was full
of errors that would prejudice young readers against their elders
and culture, we contacted the Jesus Film people and asked them if
they would be so kind as to not use these same translations but correct
ones instead. We also voiced concerns that the film would be
used for further war against traditional villages.
Paul Lewis is the American Baptist Missionary
who, in concert with elements of the Thai government, ran an illegal
sterilization project on the Thai-Burma border, sterilizing more than
20,000 Akha Hill Tribe women from Burma's Eastern Shan State. He ran
this operation on the trust that he had built as a missionary and
student of Akha culture. This project was done secretly, without legal
approval, according to the Burmese Government, by requiring the women
to come into Thailand for the misrepresented procedures.
The words that we found particular fault
with were the words:
"Ah Baw Chaw Maw"
Means 'old man' in Akha but also means the
old men who are the elders of the village and decide disputes, etc.
They are considered with reverance. So if you were to say "I
have to ask Abaw Chaw Maw" it would mean that you were going not to
one old man, but to the group of old men or elders for your village
who guide the village. The same is said for their counterparts,
Ah Peeh Chaw Maw, the old women elders.
"Peeh Mah"
This is the village historian, poet and
healer, a revered position among the Akhas.
We asked that these words not be used!
We asked that these words not be used, because
there were no Akha in Israel at that time, certainly no Peeh Mahs.
We asked that the translation be used that referred to the religious
leaders of that foreign land, which in this case were Pharisees, and
were not the same as Peeh Mahs.
The reason we asked this, is that these
events took place in Israel, not Thailand or Akha country, and that
the use of these incorrect words would prejudice the young people
against their own culture, implying that these respected people in
Akha culture had crucified Jesus as the finished Jesus Film in Akha
states.
We communicated with the Jesus Film people
our concerns.
We asked them why they could not use a more
correct translation in consideration of these concerns.
To this they would not reply directly and put us off for considerable
time.
Finally they informed us that the film was finished and that these
words that we had objected to were used, as we verified by obtaining
a new copy of the Jesus Film in Akha.
This kind of attitude just contributes to
the impression, backed up by many such incidents, that the entire
Akha traditional community should be converted to evangelicalism at
whatever cost of the truth.
We think that the people at the Jesus Film
Project are Liars and Racist against the Akha People.
It seems quite apparent that to be a Christian,
you have to be a Liar.
We advise people to follow the teachings
of the Old Testament and Jesus, not to follow mainstream Christianity
for these reasons.
Jesus Film In Akha Language: Racism
at its best!
Please complain to The Jesus Film project
directors (email:jfp@ccci.org)
regarding this intentional exploitation of The Akha People of Thailand,
Burma, Laos and China.
The Discussion With The Jesus Film
Project Regarding This Intentional Exploitation Of The Akha People
of Thailand, Burma, Laos and China.
A Request That Traditional Akha Culture Be Respected In The Film Translation
Into Akha
************
At the time as shown below in the email transmissions
it was requested to the Jesus Film project that the same errors that
were in the New Testament translation in Akha language not be repeated
in the film. In the New Testament translation to Akha the words used
are that Akha Elders Crucified Jesus.
We all know this not to be the case.
The people from the Jesus Film project never answered the concerns
in these emails but evaded the subject, and then for months did not
reply until we placed our questions on the internet.
But at that time they informed us that the film was finished and the
use of the words had occurred, "oh well."
On seeing the video itself, the reference to the Akha Elders as the
people who killed Jesus is not done once but repeatedly. We can only
say, knowing the Christian Akha who backed this film, well paid by
groups like American Baptist, that the slur against Akha traditional
leadership is INTENTIONAL!
They deserve the condemnation they get, having lived fine lives off
the betrayal of their own people for financial gain.
************
Jesus Film Email Exchange:
To: Doug Cady: dcady@ccci.org
Akha Jesus Film
Date: Wed, 04 Nov 1998
Dear Mr. Cady,
We work with the Akha Hill Tribe in Northern Thailand and are very
concerned regarding accuracies in translation for a Jesus Film for
the Akha project.
Do you know anything of this project, or who might, and how we can
get a copy of the script being proposed?
In the only available translation of the New Testament which was done
many years ago there are serious errors in the translation that twist
in very harmful predjudices against the culture of these people.
For example, a name for a certain kind of elder within the Akha community
is used in the translation of "High Priest" and since it was used
in the context of the crucifixion of Jesus it would cause the automatic
assumption that the Akha Elder was being blamed for this. Since a
similar position does not exist in either foreign or Jewish governments
it is not an accurate translation. Yet this serious error in the NT
has existed for years with no attempt on the part of white missioinaries
to correct it. As far as we know, there were no Akha in Jerusalem
in the early parts of the first century A.D.
Akha Heritage Foundation
************
And again.....
To: Mike Ball: mball@ccci.org
Akha Jesus Film
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998
Dear Mr. Ball,
Numerous Akha people are aware that there are serious flaws in the
translation of the Akha New Testament which casts desparagement upon
Akha traditional culture without justification. These particular errors
of a serious nature come in Bible texts relating to the crucifixion
of Jesus. If these errors are passed on to the film, the film will
place itself in a rather negative category.
All they would like to see is a printed copy of the script, and the
choice of words that it uses. They would like to give their input
into the correctness of the translation as used in the script for
this film.
A copy of the script can be emailed to The Akha Heritage Foundation,
we will print it out and give it to the Akhas who have requested it.
(this request was never honored on the part of the Campus Crusade
Jesus Film Project)
There is a long tradition here of the missions walking on the rights
of the Akha to impose their highly financed churches in Akha villages
and to forbid them to practice their culture. We can supply a huge
number of photos and video testimony to substantiate this matter.
These problems are well documented at this time. The World Council
of Churches section on indigenous matters is also informed of this
issue. We should be very clear that no one says they are against the
project but only voice the opinion that inaccurate tranlation will
add to the propoganda that is being used by protestant denominations
to damage the culture of these people.
This is a matter that could be solved readily but it is also a matter
that could do serious damage if the film is used for propaganda purposes
against the traditional culture of this tribe.
It should be said that in the past there have been repeated attempts
to get the missionaries to see that they can assist the Akha without
banning their culture, forbiding them to practice what the missionaries
for the most part do not understand.
But this effort has failed. The churches go up, usually in the center
of the village as the attatched photo shows, the people are told to
stop practicing their culture, all traces of it are removed or burned
and so the matter goes on. The people in the village where this photo
was taken were catholic for 15 years, very small quiet parish, then
this monstrosity was pushed into the middle of this otherwise bamboo
village. It could have been located outside the village as to not
be disruptive, in any direction say 100 meters. But that is not how
these people do it, why be bashful when you are going to push it all
aside anyway?
We hope that we have made clear the concerns regarding this matter.
There are a whole lot of people listening on how this matter is going
to go, not just here in Thailand.
While general conditions for the Akha continue to deteriorate because
they have not the same human rights guaranteed as you or we, the missions
continue to take as much advantage of this situation as possible.
Many have even said that the woes which the Akha are experiencing
as people who have no civil rights, are the hand of God because they
have chosen to live in darkness and bondage. In village after village
the Akha tell me that they were forbidden to practice their traditional
culture. This is not a right that the missionaries have and it will
continue to be publicized that they are doing this to a greater and
greater international audience.
It is not our intention to be adversarial, just to state plainly how
serious this matter is.
There is a continued refusal of missionaries to give room and regard
to Akha traditional culture. There is a continued behavior to feel
they have the right to forbid the culture if these people want to
learn about Jesus.
Akha Heritage Foundation
To: Akha Heritage
Foundation
I’m an Asia Coordinator for JESUS film Recording
projects. I’m following up this question with A-Je and Rodney
Guenther, who spent two weeks last month recording "Akha". A-Je
has a computerized uncorrected script, I believe. The recording
is still in process, here.
I will let you know what I find.
God bless you !
Mike Ball |
Re: Akha Jesus Film
To: Mike Ball: mball@ccci.org
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998
Dear Mr. Ball,
We hate to take issue but you are not answering our question. We have
asked you if it is possible to see a copy of the Akha Script because
various Akha wish to view it.
This is a project that will be released to large numbers of Akha, the
public in fact.
If there is no concern, then although it may be a nuisance and bother
to you, there should be really nothing to hide in sharing the script.
It can be conveyed electronically. However, if the Jesus Film for the
Akha is actually a partisan work, then you possibly have reason to protect
the fact that it is in reality a partisan work.
If I were translating the New Testament for the Akha and an atheist
asked to see a copy, although we might very dislike what their intention
"might" be we would realize that once we had chosen to enter the public
sphere, we expose our work to the attention of any and all and follow
through accordingly.
However, our original statement to you was that the New Testament had
serious flaws in it. This in combination with a partisan religious agenda
has done and continues to do serious damage to the Akha as a people,
not something that we think Jesus Christ intended.
If a simple request to view a script, not for the purpose of interfering
with your project, but just for the purpose of getting the opportunity
to express concern over certain content if it should exist, and try
to open up a discussion regarding it in an appeal to fairness and justice.
If this is an affront to the way the project is being run then it raises
more serious issues which we were not intent on finding.
As we have told you before, the behavior of the western financed missions
regarding the traditions of the Akha is not acceptable, because for
one thing, it is illegal.
We have explained the reasons.
We should also say that we did not get the impression from speaking
with Rodney that he either understood or had any concerns for the culture
of the Akha from comments he made. It appears that the conveyance of
his particular spin on his particular agenda is more important than
the issues that people have been raising for years about the way in
which particularly American based missions have treated the Akha.
It may be very possible that not all the Akha disagree with the Missions
and what they are doing, particularly those that are paid well to help,
if you know what we mean.
But it should also be noted that many Akha who are Christians are adamantly
against the missions as well.
We do not know if there is anything in the script that people should
be concerned with. We would hope not. However the lack of openess and
transparency on the part of the missions here does not do much to ensure
any one.
If your answer is that you will not make a copy of the script publicly
available before production, that is your choice, but keep in mind that
this will be noted for the record and that it duly adds to that suspicion
for which there is already a substantial basis as a result of many years
of mission behavior of this very same nature. It casts a shadow on the
willingness of the people on this project to be open to the issues that
exist and increases the feelings that the missions will come here and
do as they please.
Akha Heritage Foundation
To: Akha Heritage
Foundation
Sir,
I received your letter expressing your concern about the recently
recorded translation of the JESUS film in the Akha language.
Concerning the script, it was translated by an Akha, not taken
directly from the Akha New Testament. The script was then approved
by several Akha. The final recording was approved by an Approval
Committee of Akha people from various regions. All of them approved
the translation and the recording. We were looking for a translation
that would be understood by all Akha, not just the Thai Akha.
I want to encourage you that every effort was made to assure that
any errors were found and corrected by allowing people whose first
language is Akha to repeatedly scrutinize the script and recording.
While I know that in the end, any production will have it’s shortcomings,
it’s my prayer that this film will be a great benefit to the Akha
people in all countries.
Sincerely,
Mike Ball |
Our Reply:
To: Mike Ball: mball@ccci.org
Mr. Ball;
In the end a script full of flaws and racial and cultural slurs was
completed. "Its finished" they told me at a meeting, "can’t be changed
now".
"God will judge you for every Akha you keep out of heaven by opposing
this project".
"Paul Lewis (of sterilization fame) is a ‘Man of God’".
Please protest the release of this film to the emails of the people
of the Jesus Project Listed. We have copies of the Jesus project in
Akha and it is very insulting to Akha people. It backs up the prejudices
that the missionaries from the west, places like the US, consistently
teach to the Akha children as to how bad their culture and elders are.
Please Forward.
Jesus Film In Akha Language: Racism at its
best!
The Jesus Film Project: jfp@ccci.org
