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Religious manipulation is arguably the most effective aspect among all the different types of coercion plaguing Oceania. By appealing to the morality of the noble savage, Christian missionaries stripped away their supposed barbarism, giving them instead cloth to cover their naked bodies and a civilized lifestyle. But, they were all deceived. Instead of entering the era of light, the indigenous people were subjected to religious manipulation and eventually, psychological dominance. In particular, the nuclear testing on Bikini began after “the U.S. military secured the cooperation of the Bikinians in vacating their island by appealing to their Christian duty.” (Teaiwa, 89) Without the implementation of Christianity on the island during initial colonization, nuclear testing would have been an impossibility. Along with the internal “Christian duty,” the colonists were also told by the military governor that their beloved island would be used for ‘“the good of mankind and to end all world wars”‘ (89) The entire population of Bikinians were displaced, relocated to other nearby islands, separated from their homeland, essentially stripping their national identity. The influence infused in Christianity, or more accurately, the misuse of Christianity is fully recognized by the great colonial powers and ironically, their “Christian duty” is ignored or forgotten.
Despite the original intent of spreading Christianity—to create a civilized and superior world—the final outcome is a whole people severed from their culture, lost and confused in purgatory and unable to reconcile the differences. Nonetheless, Christianity is the dominant religion throughout the Pacific Islands and in many ways has strengthened resistance against continental sovereignty. The “Christian organizations of predominantly indigenous women are instrumental in the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific movement.” (96) Without the unity provided by Christianity, the movement toward independence and self-respect could not be as wide spread and compelling. This irony—Christianity used as a form of oppression and freedom—displays the very essence of conflict for the people of the sea. Their history of rich and beautiful culture was decimated through the conversion to Christianity, but it is now a vital component to preserving their home.
Despite the original intent of spreading Christianity—to create a civilized and superior world—the final outcome is a whole people severed from their culture, lost and confused in purgatory and unable to reconcile the differences. Nonetheless, Christianity is the dominant religion throughout the Pacific Islands and in many ways has strengthened resistance against continental sovereignty. The “Christian organizations of predominantly indigenous women are instrumental in the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific movement.” (96) Without the unity provided by Christianity, the movement toward independence and self-respect could not be as wide spread and compelling. This irony—Christianity used as a form of oppression and freedom—displays the very essence of conflict for the people of the sea. Their history of rich and beautiful culture was decimated through the conversion to Christianity, but it is now a vital component to preserving their home.
