Tension with tradition and culture

We continue to learn more about the culture, traditions, and beliefs, but we are starting to see a very eye-opening pattern.

But first, let us walk down memory lane, well not our memory but the memory of Mexico, if it had one. Mexico has a long and interesting history! I would like to touch on a few important parts to give us context for what we are experiencing today. Mexico was inhabited by Mayan and Aztec people and many others long before Spain conquered it. They were intelligent and had many gods, including the sun, moon, and animals, among other things. We have a ton of history on them and can still walk where they walked in ruins spread across the whole country. They also still influence the thinking and beliefs of people today. Then, in 1519 Spain came and conquered the country and ran until the end of 1821 when Mexico won its independence. They brought their religion, which was Catholicism. I don't have time to go in-depth on their beliefs but they had a pope and believed in faith by works. They then influenced the people in a new way and still do today. Moving on, in the early 1900s we have the revolution of Mexico, then shortly after, new poltical parties, oil, modernization and so much more. Each one of the events slowly mixing and changing the culture of the original people and establishing what we have today. Most Mexicans are called Mestizos, a mix of Spanish and Aztec genealogy. SO, in summary, Catholicism from Spain mixed with Aztec religions based on the sun and nature from Mexico mixed with ancient and modern civilization that was never really fully modernized or established everywhere in the country. What we see is people living in a mixture of past and present traditions and cultures that are also mixed between countries and cultures. Are we confused yet?? We end up with a people group who have a thought system called Syncretism - the combination of different forms of belief or practice. Or the fusion of two or more originally different inflectional forms. That being said, you can still find places that are not governed by the law or the Mexican government and are actually protected. We have been to a place like this and it really is as if you have gone back in time. We also have people who live in modern times and have a modern government and yet still follow ancient traditions and beliefs. Then we have people who mix everything and follow whatever makes them sleep that night. The common denominator is that tradition and culture tend to drive people's beliefs and ways of life. (mixed or not) In San Marcos, our small group are people who mix modern-day things and government with mixed traditions and beliefs. They have never really been taught what they should exactly believe but more or less inherited them from their relatives. So, when we study about idols and what God thinks of them they are a bit confused and even offended. WHY? Well, they have mixed beliefs! Nobody taught them that having paintings or images of Gaudalupe on your wall and praying to her was viewed as having an idol. They were taught that she would help them. They didn't know Mary was just a normal girl and actually not a virgin forever, because that was not taught either. They took the Virgin Mary from Spain and their idea of a God from their relatives and made Gaudalupe. Original Catholicism has nothing to do with what they believe now, nor was it taught that way, but over the years, things were mixed and changed. Seeing a pattern? Now when we use the Bible to teach on why God is the only One, they are very confused. They see Mary and Guadalupe as gods essentially but never greater than God but yet a god none the less. The traditions and culture they have grown up influence them in their way of life even when they don't understand what they believe. We continue to learn from them and understand what they believe and why and then look to the Bible to see what it says about it. Little by little they are allowing God to work on their hearts and help them discern the truth and live for only Him. The pattern of mixing cultures and beliefs only starts here; we see it everywhere and it can be hard to understand, but what we do understand is they are all seeking identity and purpose. We try to help give them both in Jesus.