Toward a relational theology of the Fa'a-Samoa [microform]

The purpose of this project is to recover and apply the Samoan traditions and values through employment of process theology, in order to construct a relational theology of the Fa'a-Samoa (the Samoan way of living). Samoans a century ago were given the impression that their cultural values and traditions were somewhat primitive and unfit for the Christian faith. They were told that it was a culture of pagans and heathens, and it did not have a place in the community of faith. Samoan people are proud of their heritage and take pride in their culture, but are somehow confused when they attempt to relate their culture to their faith and other different cultures. The negative impression and attitude from the western culture, as well as their own people, makes their cultural traditions weak and less than perfect in relation to the rest of the world.

This adverse attitude is prevalent in some areas of Samoa as well as the Samoan community in the United States, where the influence of western culture is predominant. Truly, when two or more cultures interact, the balance of the scale tends to swing to the values of the stronger and dominant culture. The inferior culture will adopt the values of the predominant culture. This is the situation with the Samoan Christians in Samoa, as well as those who are living in the United States. This issue has been with the Samoan Christians from the time when the first Christian missionaries landed on the shores of the Samoan islands. This situation has not confined its unfortunate impact to Samoan culture alone, but has effected other cultures as well. The author believes that there is no wrong doing in adopting values from another culture. However, there is a real problem and danger when cultural values and heritage are lost.

Then persons are unable to contribute to society and to find meaning as part of a community of faith. Hence, this project attempts to relate some of the Samoan values and traditions that express the concept of relationship in relation to process theology. The hope is that this small project will assist other Samoan writers, as well as those who find the sacredness of cultural relationship to be an expression of their faith and the Divine.