religion and war
The aftermath of the Vietnam-American war has been greatly emphasized through the course of the past few days through visits to the former Presidential Palace, the War Remnants Museum, the Tây Ninh Holy See (Cao Đài), and the Củ Chi tunnel complex. Of course, the majority of what was shown is biased in the Việt Nam issued perspective as are the majority of showings of most controversial subject matter anywhere in this world. As it stands, each of these locations visited has that feeling of incompleteness.
The former blame as it were, is cast upon the government of the United States and its soldiers once occupying Việt Nam. Gruesome images of village massacres, agent orange disfigured individuals, video presentations displaying the vigor of the Vietnamese peoples, and other allotted sources of information were aplenty. These government-sponsored media, however biased, do provide another important perspective on this conflict which inadvertently continues to shape the course of our lives. For who enjoys admitting their own wrongs?
During the previous day’s visit to Tây Ninh sect of the Cao Đài religion, I was able to witness one of the sect’s daily masses. The organizational structure of Cao Đài in this region seems to closely resemble that of the Catholic Church–there are hierarchies in this conglomeration of beliefs with different colored robes representing the differences. Likewise, this sect is tied to also connected to the struggle of over thirty years prior.
Today after an early train departure to Phan Thiết, I have arrived in Mũi Né. Famous sand dunes and other sites tomorrow.
Hi Hao,
What you are seeing is the cold truth of war. Neither side is ever completely right, and all that is left is carnage for both. War is never an answer. It leaves more damage than anything else, and in the end, you wonder what is was all for. It is good to see the war from the other perspective. It is my hope that your generation will learn from the mistakes of the past so there will never again be that kind of suffering. I am so glad this trip has brought you so much understanding of the world outside of your own. Take care and stay safe.
Aunt Kim
November 9, 2006 at 12:38 am
The popular attitude toward the old war is quite different from the official one. The young folks may show an interest for a moment but then say it is irrelevant. The older ones, the ones who experienced it say it was fated to happen. It is long over and they don´t want to relive it, to remember it. Old soldiers who go back chasing ghosts often make the mistake of assuming there must be resentment of the Americans for the war and try to apologize to whomever they talk to for American actions and are disconcerted when they don´t want to hear it. It is Fate and nothing of it adheres to you and me. More tea? Americans have a hard time understanding Fate.
cafengocmy
January 9, 2008 at 3:41 pm