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Hi Richard,
this is a question I did not get a chance to ask you at the conference in Copenhagen.
Mikael Rothstein, a Danish anthropologist, spoke about his experiences working with a tribe in the jungle in Borneo at the conference. They have a very complicated set of beliefs. The beliefs are intricately tied to and have evolved with their way of life. If they lost their beliefs their society and culture would quickly evaporate.
That got me thinking on should we still tell them that their beliefs are false? What if the tribe used human sacrifice? Is there a line for when it is ethical to point out beliefs are false and if so where is that?
Permalink Sun, 03 Oct 2010 07:46:52 UTC | #528366