Towards a liberating Myanmar theology based on analysis of Dalit theology

Abstract

Myanmar was ruled by British colonial government for more than one century (1824- 1948). Except for a brief democratic rule, military government has ruled the country for about forty years. As a result, people have severely suffered from socio-economic and political oppressions all throughout the history. During colonial period, many missionaries especially from American and western countries arrived in Myanmar. Many people from ethnic groups became Christians through the sacrifices of their lives and evangelism. It may be not wrong to say that missionaries’ theological understanding is a theology that supported colonialism that exploited the people, affected the economy thereby oppressing the lives of the people of Myanmar. It may be also true to say that theological understanding of Myanmar Christians is a theology that was inherited from their missionaries. Therefore, it is necessary to produce a Myanmar systematized theology that would provide a new interpretation of the Bible that would be relevant for their situation. Consequently, the main aim of doing this study is to formulate a liberating Myanmar theology that would provide a new direction and a new interpretation of the bible for the liberation of the people. In the first chapter, the writer discusses the need of a liberating Myanmar theology and its relevance to the life situation of the people today. It is believed that without a right understanding of theology, people will not be able to liberate from their religious superstitions, socio-economic and political oppression. Therefore, formulation of liberating Myanmar theology becomes the urgent need of the people for their liberation today. In the second chapter, a brief discussion on Dalit theological description is done in order to understand the life situation of Dalits. It includes how they are oppressed and how they had struggled for their liberations. The third chapter presents the Dalit theological insights that the writer intends to use as basis for formulating Myanmar theology. In chapter four the writer examines Myanmar context in relation to historical settings, situations of churches, and Myanmar theological expressions in order to understand life situation and thoughts of Myanmar Christians. Finally, presents a liberating Myanmar theology that is relevant for the oppressed and the poor Myanmar people today. It is strongly believed that through this theology, people could participate more in the struggle of the people, and will be able to lead the people towards their liberation from socio-economic and political oppression.