Palasari is more on the tourist route than is Blimbingsari—probably because the community has successfully built an extensive irrigation system enabling more residents to reside there than in distant Blimbingsari.
Moreover, the fact is that the Catholic church building in Palasari stands out more on Bali as it is much more European in style. This large stone structure is more imposing and a greater contrast to the typical temple of worship on Bali. This means that the structure’s beauty and its different qualities from other places of worship can be observed from further away and from outside the building—i.e. when the building is closed & without having to actually attend a worship service as I did in Blimbingsari.
From a tourist perspective, thought, both churches and communities are remarkable. So, I encourage all long-time residents of Bali to get to know them. Their communities’ inceptions as villages dates to days when Bali was less tolerant and reminds one that peace is transient if a community, such as Bali which has been under Islamic terrorist threats for years, fails to continue to respond with tolerance to the visitors from around the world who comes to enjoy its beauty and diverse society.
On the other hand, the churches in these rural Bali towns, like Palisari and Blimblingsari also model the kind of positive development that is possible in any community, i.e. when a community sets out to create the best integration of multiple worlds and cultures for their children and future generations to enjoy.
After spending this past week in West Bali, I would have to agree to locals perceptions that the hostilities between Christian converts and Bali Hindus has long since subsided for those who live on the West coast of Bali.
This is a great example because elsewhere, such as in India today, where Hindu groups have led attacks on Christians, Sikhs, and Muslims in recent years, such interfaith tolerance is not witnessed nearly so readily as it should be these days.
Likewise, from China to Saudi Arabia to other corners of the globe, peoples of whatever faith are not always welcome. This makes the whole planet unsafe for us all.
NOTES
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
