Who's backward?

Dear Editor,

I was glad to learn that the island of Okinawa is the same today as it was 40 years ago this October when I was first there. I'm sure they still have the same "A" ratings for the bars, just to ensure that the GIs who go there don't get cheated. The girls probably still have to meet certain standards or they are not allowed to operate their business, either.

Why is it that people seem to feel that these people are backward or deprived? They have a heritage that predates the one we have here in America by many hundreds, if not thousands of years.

They have their own religion and don't need ours, they have their own caste system that works for them and they have many other traits that are good for them, even if people here don't understand them.

It seems to me that one of the reasons that people around the world don't care for us is the idea that some people have about if it isn't Christian or done the American way, it can't be right and must be changed.

Such isn't the case and people will resist outside influence to the best of their ability, with or without guns, bombs or violence. In some instances they just appear to go along to get rid of the interlopers and practice their ways in secret. Some resort to violent protest and throw rocks, among other things.

Remember, American ways and Christianity are good for us, as is the democracy that we have forged, but they may not be right for everyone. If someone attacks us, as in 911, they need to be shown through force of arms that this won't be tolerated. Other than that, people don't need to be saved from themselves.

They have their own ways that are as good for them as ours are for us. The next time you get to thinking of how to change how those in foreign nations think or practice religion, consider how you would react if someone came here and tried to change your religious beliefs, or told you that you couldn't go to the church of your choice. They feel the same way.

Robert Yost

McCook