All missionaries are hypocrites?  That would be news to Twain, who often
gave money to missions and gave hearty approval to a number of mission
activities.  Fr. David Hawley's city mission in Hartford, for instance; or
the Chinese Mission run by Joe Twichell.

He lambasted other missionaries, of course, but let's tell the whole story.
That part of the story is important but probably overblown.  As it is, by
the way, in our contemporary world.

For example, your personal characterization of missionaries "forcing their
beliefs" is a caricature.  I have gotten to know good and kindhearted
missionaries on several continents, and have visited their works firsthand
on many occasions.  Your stereotype is a mockery, for example, of the
wonderful work friends of mine are doing with impoverished children in Congo
and Kenya, some of which I support with $$ since I do not have the courage
to go there myself.  A great example is my friend here at SLU on the medical
faculty, who just spent his own money to go to Congo for 2 weeks of his own
vacation, simply to provide medical aid to children there.  I wish I was a
radical and caring as him, but I am not.  Hypocrite?  He is ten times the
Christian I will ever hope to be.

Do you see Mother Theresa as "forcing her beliefs" down the throats of those
poor Indians dying in the streets of Calcutta?  Give me a break.

Sorry for the intensity of this response but I get tired of people mocking
or disparaging the very fine efforts of good people.  If you are going to
base your ideas of missions on silly stories like THE POISONWOOD BIBLE, you
might want to try balancing them with more edifying tales that highlight the
courage and the good will of many other people out there trying to help the
poor, sick, and disadvantaged.  Those are the real missionaries, though we
rarely hear about them.

Harold K. Bush, Ph.D
Saint Louis University