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Friday, June 22, 2018

Yeshoosh

Religion in Bali is more than a Sunday sort of thing. Religion and culture are inextricably interwoven, such that in many ways the Balinese are enacting their religion on a daily basis and generally in a cooperative, communal setting. Most people here know little about any other religion, tough they are more likely to know at least some things about Islam rather than about Christianity, given that Indonesia itself is a Muslim majority country, with 87 percent of the citizens identifying themselves as Muslim. Eight-eight percent of the population in Bali, on the other hand, is Hindu. 

It struck my friend, Adi, as odd, therefore, when an American showed up yesterday at the Starbucks where he works and kept talking about "Yeshoosh" and how Adi must turn away from Hinduism and follow Yeshoosh. 

After work, Adi stopped by my house, wanting to know from another American why this guy was talking so much about Yeshoosh.

"Jesus." 

"Ya, Yeshoosh." 

Well, it turns out, predictably enough, that the American fellow is a Jehovah's Witness. These folks occasionally show up on the island as part of a 'mission' trip--you know, to bring the truth to a people in darkness (without, however, knowing anything about Hinduism or the Balinese people and their culture and customs). Often enough, they end up offending people here--interrupting ceremonies, passing out leaflets (to people who mostly cannot speak English), and so on. I reckon they figure they're going to get bonus points in heaven for spreading the good news. They are, after all, Jehovah's "witnesses". 

But of course, Adi has no idea what the man is talking about. Nor does the man, unfortunately. 

I can only advise Adi not to worry about it. 

"I very love him," Adi says (by which he means that he doesn't mind talking to this person), "but I just don't know why he is always talking so much Yeshoosh. You are American too, but not always talking Yeshoosh." 

"Does he speak Indonesian?" I asked. 

"No." 

Well, I'm not sure where I would begin. Perhaps a familiarity with Adi's beliefs would be a good point? A  passing knowledge of Hinduism and Balinese culture? An effort to communicate in the native language? 

Ya think? 

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