So many different things to discuss here.

So have at it. 

There was not and there still is no reason to bring any alien beliefs to those people, especially "Christianity". This guy was taught (brainwashed) that Christianity must be spread everywhere  in the world, which caused him to embark on a totally worthless adventure.

Would it be possible to convert those natives to Christianity? No. Would it be of any value to the world if such a thing happened? No.

Do those natives kill anyone that goes upon their shores? Yes.

Bottom line; Are the natives converted? No. Is John Chau dead? Yes

It looks like nothing more than a story wrapped in stupidity. 

Grandma says she hopes when I become a man

I'll be a missionairer like her elder brother Dan 

Who was ete up by the cannibals that live on Ceylon Isle

Where every prospect pleases and only man is vile...

AUTHOR UNKNOWN - Painted on an old plate dated 1869

Apparently people have known or should have known that Indian Ocean Islanders were hostile to Christian missionaries for a while.

The arrival of the christians with swords, guns and crosses has historically signaled the beginning of the end for countless cultures Great empires and unique civilizations have been decimated and devastated by wave after wave of christian soldiers and determined clergy intent upon saving them for Jesus at the business end of swords and guns. I think this is why Chou's death is causing such an array of emotional responses arising from so many diverse persons.

"I DON'T WANT TO DIE," wrote Chau, who appeared to want to bring Christianity to the islanders.

1) He wasn't welcome there and I refuse to believe he didn't know that. 

2) Forcing religion on people is a bad idea, regardless of what the religion is.

3) Believing that ANY god will protect you from harm is foolish. 

4) "A fool and his life are soon parted." 

While I feel for his family, there is only one person to blame in this tragedy; John Allen Chau.

"God sheltered me and camouflaged me against the coast guard and the navy," John Allen Chau wrotebefore he was killed last week on North Sentinel Island.

Ironic, the coast guard and navy would have saved his life. 

1) He wasn't welcome there and I refuse to believe he didn't know that. 

i think he absolutely knew that - but like many of the religious, he felt it was his duty to "convert" them or "spread the word" and indoctrinate them to his religion, it's rather arrogant in my opinion.

2) Forcing religion on people is a bad idea, regardless of what the religion is.

absolutely - seems to be a major problem with a lot of religions who seem to try to force their religion upon others in various ways

3) Believing that ANY god will protect you from harm is foolish. 

sure, his God protected him -- until his God didn't.... yet, the religious won't question the second part, they will just see the first part.

His body should be left where it is.  Any further disturbance to the tribespeople should be avoided, as it is only likely to make a bad situation worse.

I'm sure he thought his intentions were good.  He was blinded by his religious zeal.  Having his death postponed by his Bible should have been plenty of warning to stay away.

Pretty sure he got that 'bible saving him from a spear' bit from the Charlie Hunnam movie 'the Lost City of Z'.

The nerve of this kid.  Thinks he's going to "save" these people.  He's just as likely to kill them all by bringing a virus or something along with him.  Did he think of that?  Of course not.  These people think of one thing and one thing only.  Perhaps that's why his god killed him.

He's just as likely to kill them all by bringing a virus

Absolutely these people have been isolated from the rest of the world for possibly 50,000 years, a case of the sniffles could kill the whole lot of them.

Additionally how the heck was he going to bring them the word of god, they don't speak English. What did he think he would just flash the bible and they fall to their knee's worshipping Jesus.

Some articles I read said that he'd been trying to learn their language.  It implied they spoke a language similar to those spoken on other islands where isolation isn't the rule.

Still, though, after centuries with no contact, I can't imagine that linguistic drift wouldn't have made their language so different from known languages as to be unintelligible.

It implied they spoke a language similar to those spoken on other islands where isolation isn't the rule.

I just found a video from the 1970s showing what is supposedly the first contact that a tribe in Papua New Guinea has with white men.

There is a series of 3 videos.  I have watched the first one so I don't know how the language barrier is broken, or if it really is by the end of the series.

Ever notice that contemporary tribal people are profoundly more primitive than their biblical ancestors?

Per the Bible, these people are descendants of Noah - a man so sophisticated that he constructed the largest seaworthy vessel ever made and successfully kept it afloat for about one year full of the world's species.   He engineered systems for exercise, food distribution, waste management, etc.    This was one savvy dude.

But some of his descendants seem to have devolved - lost most of their engineering skills.   Almost as if they had instead evolved from great apes and were in an environment that, for whatever reason, did not encourage them to evolve in sophistication anywhere near a character like Noah.

Lol either devolution or this one group of primitive people living on one low lying island were really, really good at holding their breath.

Ever notice that contemporary tribal people are profoundly more primitive than their biblical ancestors?

I was raised in the Arkansas Ozarks and have noticed it all of my life.  

It’s possible with a population that small a few thousand years of inbreeding would do that. 

Would they have a weakened immune system in comparison to other civilizations if not for inbreeding? 

Lol, inbreeding gives one the ability to hold their breath for a really, really long time?

Seriously though it's possible, though I did read (quite a number of years ago) that a population of 50 adults would be sufficient to maintain enough genetic diversity to avoid the pitfalls of inbreeding.

Can you please expound on that.

Identify the intelligent life forms in the following video.

Can you please expound on that.

This is within a few miles of where I was raised and a pretty good example of the caliber of guys that I went to school with.

now as to the questions I asked

Are of no concern to the majority of people in the US (and world) in communities where "fight, fuck or go for your gun" is the creed that they live by.

Would they have a weakened immune system in comparison to other civilizations if not for inbreeding? 

There is a video that discusses how cultures evolved or were destroyed by germs.  It has been many years since I viewed it, but I thought it had some interesting reasons on why some cultures thrived and some merely survived.  Some people were fortunate to travel to or be born in areas with resources that made population growth possible when people learned to cultivate those resources.  The people, who have the misfortune to be born in less beneficial environments and are isolated from trade, live a life struggling to survive.

I am going to try to rewatch this video today.

A PBS documentary concerning the disparity between those who have advanced technology and those who still live primitively.

Would they have a weakened immune system in comparison to other civilizations if not for inbreeding?

Interesting BBC article of the effects of inbreeding.

bbc

But what happens when inbreeding continues for hundreds of years? It turns out you don’t have to be stuck on an island to find out, because there’s one community that just can’t get enough of their close relatives: European royalty. And with nine generations of strategic marriages between cousins, uncles, and nieces in 200 years, the Spanish Habsburgs are a natural experiment in how it all adds up.  

Charles II was the family’s most famous   victim . Born with a litany of physical and mental disabilities, the king didn’t learn to walk until he was eight years old. As an adult his infertility spelled the extinction of an entire dynasty.

In 2009 a team of Spanish scientists   revealed why . Charles’ ancestry was so entangled, his “inbreeding coefficient” – a figure reflecting the proportion of inherited genes that would be identical from both parents – was higher than if he had been born to siblings.

It’s the same measure used by ecologists to assess the genetic risks faced by endangered species. “With a small population size everyone is going to be related sooner or later, and as relatedness increases inbreeding effects become more important,” explains Dr Bruce Robertson from Otago University. He studies New Zealand’s giant, flightless parrots, called the kakapo, of which there are only 125 left on the planet.

Of particular concern are the effects of inbreeding on sperm quality, which has increased the proportion of eggs that will never hatch from 10% to around 40%. It’s an example of inbreeding depression, Robertson says, caused by the exposure of recessive genetic defects in a population. Despite plenty of food and protection from predators, the kakapo might not make it.

Interesting BBC article of the effects of inbreeding.

Another BBC article about the effects of inbreeding in the US. I cited a few passages to give an idea of the content.

bbc

In a remote region of the US, a town is struggling with a chilling health crisis caused by a recessive gene. The reason? Here, polygamy is still practised.

Fast-forward to 1990, a century after the LDS abandoned polygyny, and the upshot was only just beginning to emerge. In an office several hundred miles from where Young gave his speech, a 10-year-old boy was   presented to Theodore Tarby , a doctor specialising in rare childhood diseases.

The boy had unusual facial features, including a prominent forehead, low-set ears, widely spaced eyes and a small jaw. He was also severely physically and mentally disabled.

Which brings us to the good news. Since inbreeding tends to uncover “recessive” mutations that would normally remain in hiding, studying these communities has helped scientists to identify many disease-causing genes. That’s because genetic information is useless on its own. To be meaningful to medical research, it must be linked to information about disease. In fact, more human disease genes have been discovered in Utah – with its Mormon history – than   any other place in the world .

It’s not the legacy Brigham Young expected, but in the end, it’s possible that the controversial practice might have some unintended positives.

He did it to himself, all under the guise of trying to change people.

I believe fundamentalist religous beliefs in adults are a form of mental illness...

What should we think of adults believing in The Tooth Fairie or Great Pumpkin?

Mr Chou died from making bad decisions based on irrational delusional beliefs. 

It was Chou's vain glorious delusions of grandeur resulted in Chou's early death.

due precautions were taken to ensure that these particularly vulnerable tribal groups are not disturbed

authorities have been trying to figure out a way to recover Chau's body after he was killed last week by islanders who apparently shot him with arrows and then buried his body on the beach.

YEP !  Sounds like some of the "precautions" worked. 

After seeing and living among civilized humans all my life, I can't say as I blame these islanders.  

I have a sign on my front door that reads, "Homeowner available by appointment only, IF you do not have an appointment, do not ring the damn bell... No Shit !"  Right next to the door bell. 

and so, Tomorrow I'm buying a bow and arrows myself.

lol

PS: RIP, Mr. Chau .... dumbass 

IMO: Life's to short as it is.

I read an interesting article about Chau and his total disregard for area laws and therefore, total disregard for the physical and mental well-being of the tribe. 

If Chau was a carrier of any pathogen that sickens this tribe then Chau could single handedly be responsible for the extinction of the tribe that he illegally tried to "save" for his god.

The local people, who assisted Chau in gaining illegal access to the island, should be prosecuted to the full extent of their nation's laws.  

independent.co.uk

People from our developed world can’t stand the idea that some tribes still live in total solitude, with their own mysterious customs and language, who refuse to integrate with the rest of us. High-end travel companies offer extreme adventure tourism to remote parts of the Amazon and Africa, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea: places where they enable rich adventurers to get up close with people who still live close to nature, untainted by the distractions and detritus of our western world. It’s called “experiential tourism”. Something rich kids can tick off a bucket list.

John Chau attended a Christian high school in Vancouver and the evangelical Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma. He described himself as a missionary and frequently posted about his escapades on social media. He’d already written that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were his “must-do adventure”, knowing that the Indian government had placed the islands out of bounds, and that only a few academics have ever been allowed permits. Tourism is banned, as contact with the tribe would expose them to disease – even a bout of the flu could kill people whose immune systems are not accustomed to the same infections people from other parts of the world catch routinely.

In 2011, a British-based academic managed to compile a dictionary of the ancient languages spoken by four of the tribes in the Andaman Islands, and since then two of them have become extinct. Three of the four groups surveyed have suffered illnesses and deaths after coming into contact with outsiders. Only the Sentinelese – the ones John Chau was so determined to visit – remain untainted. 

The assumption that bringing Christ’s word via the Bible to remote tribes will enrich the lives of isolated tribes is hard to stomach, even though evangelicals claim that only 14 per cent of their work is in places where Christianity is not the dominant faith. John Chau claimed he wanted to introduce Christ to the Sentinelese – but why would their own culture not include a deity, a belief in the afterlife or some sense of fulfilling spirituality? Why would his evangelical creed be superior or necessary?

I've seen articles claiming he was "martyred" and "murdered", and lamenting that the Indian government seems to have no intention of prosecuting the tribe members who killed him.

He was trespassing.  He knew that.  He had to sneak past the navy and coast guard.  He had arrows shot at him, retreated, and then went back to the island.  That's not martyrdom.

Those same articles talked about his "love" and "compassion".  He may have loved these people, but he didn't respect them.  If he'd respected them, he'd still be alive.  And his "compassion" didn't extend to concern for the harm he may have done them.

I've seen articles claiming he was "martyred" and "murdered", and lamenting that the Indian government seems to have no intention of prosecuting the tribe members who killed him.

Initially, I tried to avoid reading anything about this because of the whining that was coupled with what a "good" person Chau was and how he was just trying to do his god's "work".    Eventually, the spin will probably invoke Christian persecution in some form.  Of course, the FACT that the man died because he was breaking the law by being on the island will be completely ignored.  For some strange reason, there are a number of Christians who believe that they are above national and international laws.

Then I decided that I wanted to know more about the tribe so I could understand why they summarily murdered a stranger.  On the surface, it could be that they feel threatened by anyone who is not like them and their basic survival instincts dictate that the threat is eliminated.  We might even call it racism on some level.

  However, it could be that they are doing their god's "work" by eliminating the heathens who do not worship their god.  It really is difficult to guess and understand the motivation of "modern" people. There is no way for me to have a reasonable guess on what motivates the members of pre-Neolithic tribe.

This tribe would probably be very interesting for scientific study, but it would be completely inhumane to do so.

independent.co.uk The Sentinelese are one of the last pre-Neolithic tribes left on the planet, with a lifestyle and culture that has remained unchanged for longer than any in Europe or America. They have consistently repelled invaders. A group of anthropologists attempted to get up close and personal in 1970, and were treated to a live sex show. Four years later, another group were met with poison arrows. 

Why would his evangelical creed be superior or necessary?

It's the arrogance of some Christians as we constantly see.

The locals who assisted this man in trying to invade the islanders should be prosecuted. Too bad the law didn't catch Chau before he met his demise.

I think his body should stay where it is, unless authorities are afraid that his decomposing body might compromise the health of the natives

This is a job for Tony Perkins. Give him a canoe and a body bag.

The tribe may dig him back up and do what they did with the fishermen in 2006.

The islanders buried the two fishermen on the beach in 2006, but dug up the corpses after a few days and propped them upright. Authorities apparently never recovered those bodies, and the killings were never investigated.

IMO it's the same old BS that missionaries have used for decades with indigenous people...The cold hard facts of the matter are he trespassed and put the lives of the tribe in danger since they would have little or no defense for any disease that he could be carrying. 

He was well aware that the island was off limits and guarded by the Indian nation. He felt that he was above the law of another country so I would question not only his religious zeal but his values. 

For those of you who have no idea of the damage that the missionaries and their religious zeal have caused to indigenous people here is a movie for you to see. It's title is ''Indian Horse'' a true story.

When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land. Desmond Tutu
Read more at: brainyquote

it wouldn't surprise me if the thumpers sent them blankets infected with small pox in the near future.

I understand you. Emphatically.

When you put it as "the cold hard facts." I can only defer. With much respect for your writing on this issue.

Though you will note my statement on many sides of this issue throughout this thread, do keep in mind I am dealing with the many dynamics at work here. None of it should be misconstrued to touch the solid point you bring to all our minds. (Smile.)

Kavika, so many images of the proverbial: "I come in peace."  Sprang to mind up to and touching future space exploration.  This last reference to space not meant to change the trajectory of this discussion.

1.  He went there knowing it was illegal

2.  He went there knowing he could be killed

3.  He went there knowing he could kill the entire tribe since they are not immune to any disease he carried

4.  International Christian Concern thinks India should prosecute the tribe and call him a martyr and it was murder

5.  He was just another stupid Christian thinking he knew what was best for someone else

he got to meet jesus ahead of schedule

Pretty sure it was on schedule. The winner of the 2018 Darwin Award.

Maybe we should kill all invaders and stupid people?

Great idea Tex!  Then there would be no more illegals AND no more right wing dingbats either.  

And no more stupid progressive liberals, either.

Win/win!

Don't think I have enough ammo to kill all stupid people.

Got enough for the invaders?

[deleted]

And no more stupid progressive liberals, either.

But that's not a sweeping generalization? Really? 

Are you insinuating that all progressive liberals are stupid?

That would be a sweeping generalization.

The 911 hijackers had strong faith in God too.  God belief kills.  The whole idea of an afterlife is more than simply childish, wishful thinking.  It devalues the life we do have and allows people to perpetrate horrible atrocities on their fellow man with a clear conscience.  God belief is divisive, it pits groups of people against each other and fuels wars.

Religion has been responsible for the worst actions from mankind.   

Very good points have already been made from other NT members so I will simply add that Mr. Chau is now with the God he loved so much.  Sounds like a win to me.

No PJ, it's not a win, it's another tragic loss of life caused by the brainwashing of Godism.  Is Godism a word?  If not, it is now! 

It's definitely a win because John Chau will never force his beliefs of an intolerant God on anyone else.  

Godism......I don't think it's a word but agree it is now.  

Spent a few years as a bouncer in some rough clubs in my youth. Enforcing my will on folk that didn't want it became painful at times. A man has to know his limitations. This one didn't.

Godism......I don't think it's a word but agree it is now.  

Religion has been responsible for the worst actions from mankind.   

That's a cop out!

Religion isn't responsible for a person's actions-- the individual person is!

This guy was a "Christian". Well, I know plenty of Christians--- none of them do this sort of crazy stuff. 

Its how a person chooses to interpret their religion that determines what happeens-- not the religion. 

(And BTW that's true of other religions as well).

That's a cop out!

are you stating that Religion has had no influence and currently has no influence over an individual's actions ? or that Religion might not be the sole reason for that individual's actions ?

Chau was a true believer.   He believed that he was doing the work of the supreme entity and that he would be protected from harm.

He was wrong.   His belief got him murdered.

Just because one is 100% convinced that one's religious belief is true does not make it so.   Too bad this simple fact is lost on so many.

It's just another example of religious cults placing their beliefs above the law. I wish I had a dollar for every argument I've had on my doorstep with a door to door thumper that ignored the No Soliciting sign on my front door. "We're not soliciting, we're spreading the good news". I've even had these assholes square off in front of me. Needless to say, I'm very envious of the way this so called primitive culture deals with unwanted visitors.

My porch,  my religion.  That's the rules.  When I show up on your porch we'll talk about your religion.

Gee, if only every country and people on earth would deal with unwanted "visitors" the same way!

Wouldn't that be GREAT?

American military included?

Sorry, forgot the /S

like on our southern border?

Sorry, forgot the /S

I wouldn't call it murder. It was self defense on the part of the natives. If he had made contact with them, he could have wiped them out completely.

thumper got what he deserved. end of story.

If he had made contact with them, he could have wiped them out completely.

True.

I am going to go out on a limb and say that this individual had no clue, and did not care what his 'God' wanted … he was a selfish bastard thinking he could be the 'first'.. while hiding behind 'faith'.. his own self righteousness bit him in the ass, and he got what he had coming …

Long gone are the days of wiping out a whole race of people and their beliefs .. this should have been learned after the massacre of millions of indigenous people to the America's - Africa - Australia - etc … if they were not killed, there was the brutality that went along with forced conformity to a way of life that went against centuries of life and liberty for the Nations -

Wish I could give my condolences to his family .. but they probably encouraged his misguided attempt....

And we really don’t know what a living hell the people born on that island must endure. A broken legs can be a death sentence there. A simple tooth infection could lead to a painful death. Women might be slaves and human rights are probably nonexistent. I wouldn’t be surprised if their life expectancy is less than fifty without access to modern medical treatment.  

And?  Shall they be brought into the 21 century to satisfy a sense of self righteous, as 'we' know what is best?  For all you know they live to be 200 years old .. it is not up to 'us' to decide what is best for others ..

I realize that is difficult for many America's to understand - 'we' seem to think that 'we' need to spread democracy and the American way of life to the world … how is that working out .. is regime change solving the worlds problems?

Yet when we examine historical data we know for a fact modern medicine has greatly increased life expectancy anywhere in the world that it has been embraced. 

Ditto!

All I need is to live long enough to see my sons succeed .. I am so crippled up now at 52 (that modern medicine cannot fix!) .. screw longevity - I am thinking another 20 years and I am good..  

People die all the time from simple tooth infections all the time right here in the USA.  It's very possible that the Sentinelese people have antibiotic herbs and medicines unknown to the "civilized" world.  At any rate, a life without Christians seems pretty appealing to me.

It's also very possible that, in the absence of a diet that contains refined sugars, they have very few tooth infections.

I called time of death for both mom and dad. A death watch is a hard thing to do.

Very good point.

I am going to go out on a limb and say that this individual had no clue, and did not care what his 'God' wanted … he was a selfish bastard thinking he could be the 'first'.. while hiding behind 'faith'.. his own self righteousness bit him in the ass, and he got what he had coming …

i have to say that i think this is a plausible explanation but i also think the opposite could be true as well - he could have been doing what he felt his God wanted him to do. We'll never really know.

Long gone are the days of wiping out a whole race of people and their beliefs .. this should have been learned after the massacre of millions of indigenous people to the America's - Africa - Australia - etc … if they were not killed, there was the brutality that went along with forced conformity to a way of life that went against centuries of life and liberty for the Nations -

i honestly don't know if i believe this to be true - there have been many attempts in the past few decades of people wiping out others for their beliefs or just because of their race etc.. i don't think those days are over.

Morning Phoenyx .. sorry I missed you yesterday, computer issues.  I trust you had a sweet Thanksgiving...

We'll never really know.

So true, yet yesterday I felt combative, and today I am finding once here I am feeling the same way...

i honestly don't know if i believe this to be true - there have been many attempts in the past few decades of people wiping out others for their beliefs or just because of their race etc.. i don't think those days are over.

No argument from me Pheonyx - except for in recent decades 'we' could have stopped 'it' from happening - long gone are the days of not knowing what the other part of the world is doing .. news coverage 24/7 - it could be that like in Syria 'we' just do not care .. as the death toll is political talking points for regime change .. recall 'Assad must go! .. sectarian battles in Iraq were ignored, as it was Iraq's war/problem (interestingly enough 'we' broke it) .. and the former president desired regime change and Maliki out before air support could be even provided against Daesh...

The world is no longer Nazi Germany - 'we' the world have knowledge of things that happen in North Korea..... Iran .. it is difficult to hide ones actions in the digital age .. 'we' have a NATO member gone dictator - Awww but but Turkey is prime real estate .. his purging of the people will not be that bad?

I am I being overreactive?  Yes, most likely … but the massacre of millions is not an option, if 'we' the world stop it before the death toll reaches 500k + as 'we' allowed it to in Syria  ….. 

Ooops I am ranting a bit ...

Have a sweet day Phoenyx 

Morning Phoenyx .. sorry I missed you yesterday, computer issues.  I trust you had a sweet Thanksgiving...

not a problem - it happens. I had a normal Thanksgiving , hopefully you had a great Thanksgiving holiday

I am I being overreactive?  Yes, most likely … but the massacre of millions is not an option, if 'we' the world stop it before the death toll reaches 500k + as 'we' allowed it to in Syria  ….. 

unfortunately - it's a bit more complicated than that but i understand your point of view . Just not enough people " care " enough about the value of human life over money and other things it seems .

Ooops I am ranting a bit ..Have a sweet day Phoenyx 

i don't mind the rants have a great day Colour !! 

makes me wonder if these people had known that clown was a religious missionary whether the entire village had turned out with bows and spears.

Makes me wonder if they have their own religion and what their beliefs are. 

Makes me wish the "make my day" law in our state was extended to include thumpers that knock on a door with a No Soliciting sign on it.

Makes me wonder if they have their own religion and what their beliefs are.

Can't comment on the second part of the question but I think it's quite likely they have their own religion, all known primitive societies have created religion/gods in an attempt to explain their place in a world they can't possibly understand. 

That is what Wiki is for! 

In fact, almost nothing is known about them, including their population. They are the most untouched people on earth. 

en.wikipedia

That is what Wiki is for! 

Did you read the articles in Wiki? 

Some were interesting. They have been known to sometimes use blunt arrows to drive you off not kill ya.

Some were interesting. They have been known to sometimes use blunt arrows to drive you off not kill ya.

Which could have been a possibility in this case, until the idiots in the boat antagonized the islanders.

Did you get a chance to watch the vid Sandy linked to in the other article?

The people in the boats had their hands raised, offering "gift". That quickly raised the agitation level of the native people.

It's pretty simple. Make yourself look bigger and you appear as a threat.

I found this to be informative.  With such a small population I wonder how they avoid inbreeding. 

edtimes.in

I like this one from the link.

n early 1974, a National Geographic film crew went to the island with a team of anthropologists to film a documentary, Man in Search of Man. They were accompanied by armed police. When the motorboat broke through the barrier reefs, the locals emerged from the jungle and discharged arrows at the boat. They landed at a safe point on the coast and left gifts in the sand, including a miniature plastic car, some coconuts, a live pig, a doll, and aluminum cookware.[29]
The Sentinelese followed up by launching another round of arrows, one of which struck the documentary director in his thigh. The man who wounded the director withdrew to the shade of a tree and laughed proudly while others speared and then buried the pig and the doll. They left afterward, taking the coconuts and cookware.[15]

They can't be that bright wasting bacon IMO. 

Orgies? On the beach even.

No wonder T.N. Pandit spent 24 years going there. Probably all in the name of science.

Dean,

Not for nothing, but no information and I mean NONE can be found about that blog. The only information I could find, was from the blog itself which boasts:

ED is a team of quirky bloggers doing smart stories spiced with humour, sarcasm & spunk. It’s wit + wisdom. 

It is also an Indian publication. I will let it go, but I have to say not to put much value into it. 

[deleted]

I thought nudity wasn't allowed?

Wow, Liz is pretty hot.  If you have some, I'll trade you for my copy of the Sarah Palin/Michelle Bachmann porno flick.

The site allows indigenous nudity. I may post Elizabeth Warren naked.

Lol. Just a suggestion.

You might want to run that by the Tribal Elders first.

I know what their decision was on the issue. I'm pretty sure the boss here does too.

As a young boy I closely examined every single issue of The National Geographic that was ever published in the aged bound volumes at our local library. Although, it should be noted, I was not particularly interested in geography... 

[deleted]

removed for context

Is that what you got from all the above comments?  Weird.  

What part of this tribe is hostile, want to be left alone, it is illegal to go on this island did this moron not understand.  To blatantly disregard his own life as well as the lives of this tribe did he not understand.  You teach your children NOT to touch a HOT stove because you could get burned....apparently he didn't learn that lesson well.  All for the glory of trying to convert these people to HIS way of life. 

To blatantly disregard his own life as well as the lives of this tribe did he not understand.

And now the fishermen who took him near the island are under arrest, and people are actually contemplating risking their lives to recover his body.

He never considered that there might be consequences to his actions beyond harm to himself.

[deleted]

I find it Hillaryious

"Hilarious". Spell check is a wonderful thing. 

And of course another article to Christian bash where as I don't give a shit if you worship a cow or a freaking great mother, it is all nonsense to me.

 

As a proud US Navy she'll back I am offended that you would use the name of the great and powerful Neptune's Rex as a put down of others. Neptune welcomes all into his realm. 

The pure unadulterated arrogance of certain christians who think their way is the only way should be bashed!  

And of course another article to Christian bash where as I don't give a shit if you worship a cow or a freaking great mother, it is all nonsense to me.

Worshiping a cow would be worshiping something that actually exists.  Right now this idiot Chau knows for sure that his entire life's work was a lie.

Right now this idiot Chau knows for sure that his entire life's work was a lie.

How would he know that?

Right now this idiot Chau knows for sure that his entire life's work was a lie.

More importantly Stevie, how do we know that?  Do you have some sort of contact with him so you know what he has found out?

From your comment it would appear that you don't have a belief in God.  There obviously are others here who do.  Since they have absolutely no evidence to sustain their belief and you have absolutely no evidence to sustain your lack of belief, and since there are only two possible choices, the odds of there being such a creature are 50/50.  Of course, when the believers start putting characteristics onto this God, the odds of them being right go way down.  I never figured that 50/50 odds were enough for belief so I'm not religious.  On the other hand, since I've seen some really good work done by religious groups, I feel no need to attack them; so I'm not anti religious either.  They may have some beliefs that I don't hold but most are good people who do good things for others. 

What I don't understand is why atheists seem to be obsessed with attacking  other people who may believe differently but who generally do no harm and actually do some good.  Do they feel so morally superior that they must prevail over everyone who believes differently than they do?

What I don't understand is why atheists seem to be obsessed with attacking  other people who may believe differently but who generally do no harm and actually do some good. 

Over the years I have found many Atheists who act just like the people they hate (i.e. "the believers"). I think of them as "Evangelical Atheists". . . or "Fundamentalist Atheists".(In some extreme cases they are just as obsessed with converting believers into Atheists, just as the believers are obsessed with converting non-believers into believers!)... Of course both groups will tell how much smarter they are than the other group, and are so, so absolutely sure they are right.

And in many cases there are people in both groups who are so damn self-righteous-- its really quite obnoxious!

How would he know that?

I have to agree with you on this one.   He's dead.  Gone.  Erased.  There's nothing left but his bodily remains and memories of him by others and those will disappear over time as well.  Dust to dust, neither more nor less. 

deleted

Some people just want to be left alone 

Also he could have carried a disease that could kill the tribe

So many dynamics at work here. Life is not easy for most of us. And yes Christians can die miserable deaths too. (I now think of a young non-missionary kid, Otto Warmbier, who "mismanaged" his life in North Korea for which the outcome was arrest, punishment, becoming comatose, and ultimately being delivered to his native home to die soon after.) There is plenty to say about a young man with 'stars' in his eyes as he wades pass all the built-in safeguards to get to shore just to share what he has with others. I am sad at how and why he died. He clearly knew the risk involved.

I will not speak evil of the tribesmen either.

Any group that wants a proper inroad into another's home, culture, or state should work for that accordingly. The "abrupt" will be welcomed as a saint or taken out as an invader. Such a one puts his or her outcome under a cloud of questions, . . .or achieves some degree of success!

So...  Not all idiots are missionaries but all missionaries are idiots?

Hi StevieGee, I could be mean, but what would that make me?

(And no, I did not flag your comment.)

Couple lessons learned.

1. Don't bring delusions to a neolithic fight.

2. Those "dancing" stick figures in cave art, really aren't dancing.

The weirdness of all this is what would be 'vocalized' in here by "the Sam Harris' and Richard Dawkins' of New Talkers"  if an isolated isle of Christians or other religion-affiliated tribes-people had shot an arrow into a young aspiring member of the science community.

Also, John Chao's parents do not want any legal reaction for the loss of their zealous 'star' child. According to the seeded content the islanders are endangered already.

Still, I would caution those island-folks, being a pristine tribe, in the midst of this world carries no guarantees of success. The more people near and far-flung that know they are there. . . .

We have seen this model played out before. Furthermore, some groups of people do not take kindly to having their kin "bow & arrowed."  People who live in a "bubble-society" should be truly careful.

if an isolated isle of Christians or other religion-affiliated tribes-people had shot an arrow into a young aspiring member of the science community.

This does not make sense.   If the people in your hypothetical are Christians then they necessarily are not primitive and isolated.   They have learned quite a bit in order to even be Christians.

This story is about people who are truly isolated - likely have no clue about others and consider them all enemies.   Thus I cannot makes sense of your hypothetical.

"Lucky sensible Christians." So, do you wish to tell me why you set aside so much time, space, and effort to criticize world religions? Anyway, yours is an interesting breakdown of my "what-if" while letting an apt user of longbows and arrows skip away scot-free from any of your close scrutiny.

You wrote: "This story is about people who are truly isolated - likely have no clue about others. . . ."

How isolated are they really, do you know for sure? And this, from the original seed:

Police say Chau knew that the Sentinelese resisted all contact by outsiders, firing arrows and spears at passing helicopters and killing fishermen who drift onto their shore. His notes, which were reported Thursday in Indian newspapers and confirmed by police, make clear he knew he might be killed.

Question: Who taught the Sentinelese the fine art of killing people? It might be a boon to the Sentinelese to consider human life precious to the holder of it.

You can't make sense of what I write? I won't fret that one. (Dryly.)

Question: Who taught the Sentinelese the fine art of killing people? It might be a boon to the Sentinelese to consider human life precious to the holder of it.

great question... almost.. until you consider -- who taught the very first people on the planet the fine art of killing people ?

How isolated are they really, do you know for sure?

Do you?   Is there something you want to share?  If not, what is this about?

Who taught the Sentinelese the fine art of killing people?

Ask the seeder or the author or do some research.

It might be a boon to the Sentinelese to consider human life precious to the holder of it.

Yes.  Most people would agree I think.   Do you have a point to make?

You can't make sense of what I write? I won't fret that one. (Dryly.)

What exactly is your problem Cal?   You write a post that makes no sense and then cop an attitude.   

who taught the very first people on the planet the fine art of killing people ?

Please do tell.

Can you name a culture in which killing of one person by another has never been accomplished?

The fact that these people know how to kill is hardly surprising.  It would be more surprising if they couldn't.

The fact that these people know how to kill is hardly surprising.  It would be more surprising if they couldn't.

Well, clearly they are not prepared for a potential international incident such killing can generate. But, I digress.

I wonder about, . . .us. We who know better and still ply ahead with any justification to mock instead of being sadden by the death of a precious young (misguided) man. I can feel for both the black islanders and the zealot. Their beliefs are a side issue to me. 

All innocents of this people can be taken away from them by this singular action. By the way, anyone seeing a helicopter flying in the sky and fishermen off their shores are not completely cut-off from the outside world and its wonders.

Please do tell.

walk through it logically and think about it... the fine art of killing people had to be invented, did it not ? .... keep thinking.... (i'm not going to do all the work for you)

Well, clearly they are not prepared for a potential international incident such killing can generate.

Which is why their island is off-limits.

I think his death is a tragedy.  But I think it was brought on by the greater tragedy of him never having learned to accept that there are people who aren't interested in his religion, or even in his presence, except to consider it a threat.  His lack of respect for the wishes of these islanders led to his death.  Rather than praise his determination to spread his religion (and I have seen praise for that), we should learn the lesson of minding our own business.

They're not interested in interacting with the outside world and its wonders.

There is a scripture he could have followed that goes something like: Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Had he followed the principle of that scripture by accepting someone else no as no, his life would never had been in peril with regard to this situation.

Just do you own 'work' then.

My view is this: It might be a boon to the Sentinelese to consider human life precious to the holder of it. Period.

From a different angle: It may behoove the Sentinelese to stop being hostile to people who give them food stuff. If they want to be left alone do not give off mixed messages to any small degree.

mixed messages

They shoot at anybody who approaches.  I'd say that's pretty unequivocal.

Just do you own 'work' then

i've done my own work - which is why i made the comment @22.1.1

(i know how they learned the fine art of killing people)

My view is this: It might be a boon to the Sentinelese to consider human life precious to the holder of it. Period.

ok, but that has nothing to do with your question that i was responding to.

From a different angle: It may behoove the Sentinelese to stop being hostile to people who give them food stuff. If they want to be left alone do not give off mixed messages to any small degree.

they kill intruders - doesn't seem very mixed to me. why is that a mixed message to you ?

him never having learned to accept that there are people who aren't interested in his religion, or even in his presence

The same could be said of those in the "caravan" . We do not want them here. We are not interested in their presence. Since you seem to be able to justify his death by the Sentinalese,  you would have no objection to the use of force to keep the "caravaners" out .

My view is this: It might be a boon to the Sentinelese to consider human life precious to the holder of it. Period. From a different angle: It may behoove the Sentinelese to stop being hostile to people who give them food stuff. If they want to be left alone do not give off mixed messages to any small degree.

I think most people on NT would agree with you on this.   Do you think there are members who applaud murder?  

Since you seem to be able to justify his death by the Sentinalese

You are putting words in Sandy's mouth.   Sandy clearly does not approve of murder:

Sandy @22.1.8:  I think his death is a tragedy. 

But she recognizes that sometimes people do not make wise decisions.   In this case, caution was tossed to the wind in pursuit of spreading his religion and belief that God would spare him from harm:

Sandy @22.1.8:  But I think it was brought on by the greater tragedy of him never having learned to accept that there are people who aren't interested in his religion, or even in his presence, except to consider it a threat.  His lack of respect for the wishes of these islanders led to his death. 

And she appropriately advises caution in similar situations - think clearly about the reality of a situation:

Sandy @22.1.8:  Rather than praise his determination to spread his religion (and I have seen praise for that), we should learn the lesson of minding our own business.

Then, there is this from the seed:

Just five months ago the Indian authorities lifted one key restriction on foreign tourists going to the #Sentinelese tribe's island –

the news of an American missionary's death on the island is the tragic consequence. Protect #uncontacted tribes' lands now! pic.twitter.com/R2j9ANezsk

I'd think this is potential evidence of a mixed message to outsiders. Still, I think this young man risked his life for what remains to be see is any good outcome.

Phoenyx13, I am not going to indulge in any type of back and forth with you over someone's demise in this manner. It will gain neither one of us any good thing to belabor this. For my part, I am nearing the end of what I have to share.

I'd say that is mixed.

Was that message sent by the islanders?  Is the Indian government their chosen messenger?

Do you know the answer, or are you asking me? I do not know. Am I expected to know?

You're recommending that the islanders not send out mixed signals.  I've said shooting anybody who approaches is in no way a mixed signal.  You cite a lifted restriction by Indian authorities as a mixed signal.

Who is sending the signal?  It's not the islanders.  They're still pretty clear about wanting to be left alone.

Oh look I got answers. Color me the accidental curious one, because I did not seek this out to indulge anybody:

These supplied answers will come from two sources:

Just five months ago the Indian authorities lifted one key restriction on foreign tourists going to the #Sentinelese tribe's island –

did you see anywhere in that statement that the Tribe lifted any restrictions or changed their message about not wanting visitors ? looks like it was someone else.. and not the Tribe.... and ironically - you pointed it out. so, the message looks rather clear to me, especially since this Missionary is now dead.

I wonder why the UN hasn't moved to make the island an independent nation, subject to no laws.

Continue reading; chat me up a little less. I do not have any side here. The whole situation is unfortunate. Moreover, a 27 year old American national is dead and buried on a foreign shore, apparently without you seeing any cause for empathy or sympathy, in my opinion.

I wonder why the UN hasn't moved to make the island an independent nation, subject to no laws

good question. I couldn't tell ya the answer, but it's an interesting question.

Continue reading; chat me up a little less.

i'm simply answering your question - that's it. I'm sorry if you don't like the answer.

I do not have any side here. The whole situation is unfortunate. Moreover, a 27 year old American national is dead and buried on a foreign shore, apparently without you seeing any cause for empathy or sympathy, in my opinion

wow, certainly a wrong assumption, but you are entitled to your opinion regardless. Oddly, your question didn't address my opinion on the entire situation concerning empathy or sympathy and somehow you were able to gather my opinion anyway ? that's a very interesting ability to have - tho your conclusion is incorrect.

I feel dizzy. Stop the see-sawing. Queasy. OOhhhhh.

I feel dizzy. Stop the see-sawing. Queasy. OOhhhhh.

sounds like you need to reread the comments. I only answered your questions and provided facts, i didn't interject my personal opinion nor did you ask for that in your original question. The only "see-sawing" would be in your mind. Maybe if you stopped trying to create the see-sawing, you wouldn't feel so queasy.

My view is this: It might be a boon to the Sentinelese to consider human life precious to the holder of it. Period.

From a different angle: It may behoove the Sentinelese to stop being hostile to people who give them food stuff.

Psychologists have a name for what you're doing there-- its called "projection". You are attributing your values and your belief system to other peoples. (My guess is that from their POV, that would not be a boon to them).

BTW, if you would find it important for you to explain your suggestions to them, I would recommend some other way of doing it rather then attempting to visit them. Perhaps send smoke signals-- from afar of course. Or, I wonder-- certainly they must be using Twitter by now? Certainly That would be safe . ..)

Psychologists have a name for what you're doing there-- its called "projection". You are attributing your values and your belief system to other peoples. (My guess is that from their POV, that would not be a boon to them).

Moi? I have never killed anybody in my life that I know of; at-known bow & arrowed a young person. What about you?

Listen, all things being relative, I do not hate people who commit justifiable homicides. But, I am allowed to be sad over the loss of a life. Ain't I?

That's my ode to relativistic nativism .

The weirdness of all this is what would be 'vocalized' in here by "the Sam Harris' and Richard Dawkins' of New Talkers"  if an isolated isle of Christians or other religion-affiliated tribes-people had shot an arrow into a young aspiring member of the science community.

But I would caution those folks, being a pristine tribe, in the midst of this world carries no guarantees of success. The more that people near and far-flung know they are there. . . .

They aren't hidden.  They're isolated.  There's a difference.  Their idea of success may be very different from yours.  It appears that remaining isolated is a large portion of their idea of success.

What's the deal CB?  Do you think that these people should have Christianity inflicted on them?  Let's think about what's happened to nearly every other "heathen" society of color that's been "saved" by Christianity.  They get some bibles and their souls are given to Jesus.  In exchange for that they get a "modern" life of service to the Christian invaders while their natural resources are plundered.  Their language, culture, and belief structure are obliterated.  That is, if they're lucky.  Often they're just rounded up and sold as slaves.

Do you think that these people should have Christianity inflicted on them? 

Inflicted? Poor word choice or deliberate word selection? Please read my comment in context of what I have stated throughout this rather confrontational thread. I empathize with the loss of life and wish the native people all the best!

However, there are dynamics and considerations coursing all through this event. I refuse to not mention anything I feel is relevant (helpful) just because it will seem or come off as so-called, "controversial.

Smile.

Inflicted? Poor word choice or deliberate word selection?

I think "infected by" would have been a better word choice. He was risking infecting them with diseases they have no herd immunity to all for the purpose of trying to infect them with Christianity.

"there are dynamics and considerations coursing all through this event"

"This is a very complicated case, Maude. You know, a lotta ins, a lotta outs, a lotta what-have-yous. And, uh, a lotta strands to keep in my head, man. Lotta strands in old Duder's head." - Big Lebowski

The "dynamics and considerations" you keep pushing are either baseless or pointless. The fact that he wasn't an "official missionary" doesn't mean he wasn't there in an attempt to proselytize. He knowingly broke the law and got killed for it which is sad, but not unlike the many other Darwin awards that have been handed out to people who die doing stupid things. What this guy did was undeniably stupid. It wasn't brave, he's not a martyr, he was a brainwashed optimist who was wrongly convince that with a belief in God on his side he'd be protected from harm. It's really not as complicated as you're trying to make it.

I would say inflicted in many cases. The missionaries of the 15th and 16th centuries in South America forced Christianity on the native peoples.

It also happened here in North America. Check out Kavika's link upthread

"Negative Nancy."

That is philosophical naturalism is on wide display. I get it. Just mention the word, "Christian" and a ceaseless, inhuman mocking begins.  What is happening with some here is a sad commentary of the poor quality of the religion and science debate.  For some, that is.

(ASIDE: In reality, there is no true conflict between religion and science. But, that is not the topic for this article. )

Thank you, TG. Will do.

Sandy, what is that thing you appear to be doing? Are you, . . .emoting?!!

I wrote: The more that people near and far-flung know they are there. . . .

This publicity of having a 'foreign' body buried on their island can not be good for this isolated tribe. Could make them infamous. Moreover, Christians could petition the government or put up a big rigamarole over the young man's remains.

It's not clear what happened to Chau when he swam back to the island the next morning. But on the morning of the following day, the fishermen watched from the boat as tribesmen dragged Chau's body along the beach and buried his remains.

Why not cast the body to the shallows? Allow the fishermen to take him away? Why claim him?

What John Chau did was illegal and wrong. He should have gotten a proper invite or stayed off-site. I do not defend his zealousness, which caused this offense.

This publicity of having a 'foreign' body buried on their island can not be good for this isolated tribe.

Neither is having somebody they don't want around, and who might be carrying illnesses dangerous to them, show up to retrieve the body.

Why not cast the body to the shallows? Allow the fishermen to take him away? Whyclaim him?

They don't want the fishermen coming near, either.  They kill fishermen who come near.  They threaten pretty much everybody who comes near.  So, frankly, IMO, it doesn't really matter why they did what they did with the body.  They owe nobody an explanation, and there's nothing to be gained by speculating on their motivations.

The eye roll was over the imagined persecution.

The eye roll  "thing" is called an emoticon: You emoted over this. This young man was not persecuted by the Sentinelese, he crossed the well-defined and established lines against counsel of better informed people. Tragedy followed.

Push the body out into the shallows. If fundamentalists decide to push this, these people can arrive in a snap with media; and these tribe folks will go 'global.'

Yes, I know it's an emoticon.  It was addressed toward the little scenario you came up with about 

The weirdness of all this is what would be 'vocalized' inhereby "the Sam Harris' and Richard Dawkins' of New Talkers"  if an isolated isle of Christians or other religion-affiliated tribes-people had shot an arrow into a young aspiring member of the science community

That's imagined persecution.  You're imagining a scenario in which atheists complain about persecution in response to persecution of Christians by an atheist.

That's a big ol' mountain of imagined persecution.

Oh stop it. Next thing you know you will be telling black folks they are imagining voter discrimination.  Sandy, you could not make me a victim of religious persecution if you sat on my head. So keep this fake projection away from me.

I'll think different of your atheist worldview when you do different with it: not until or before. Defend this waste of life gone bye bye, in some small sense can you?

(UPDATE: I just read your comment above commiserating a little-thank you.)

Sandy, you could not make me a victim of religious persecution

I have no intention of doing so.  That's a role out of your story.

There's a reason I stressed that the persecution was imagined.

That 'chapter' is ended.

Thank God!

Thank you for illustrating the difficulty in communicating with zealots...

Wanting others to understand is reasonable but refusing to is willfulness.

You are smart enough to get it but you are blinded by your evangelical zeal.

The same kind of willful insistence on spreading your beliefs as Mr Chou... 

How pretentious of you to tell me about who I am. You don't know enough about me to single me out as an Evangelical Christian, anymore than I do about you to single you out as a Militant Atheist.

If you want to know something about me, read my articles, my comments, across a spectrum - that would be reasonable. Good heavens, you can read here on this article and see that I care about life and limb on both sides of this issue.

Excuse me for feeling something when I look at a 27 year old man who 'surrendered' his life to a whim, that could come to nothing or something well beyond his intentions.

This, goes beyond any "commission" Chau feels strongly about to me. What keeps circling in my mind and I keep seeing on everything I read about it is John Chau's smile. It is so open and full of good intentions. . . .  I could go on, but I shall not.

So don't judge me, JBB! I am a great many things and being biased against anybody who wishes to be respected through being left alone is not one of those them.

You spilled your personal business in 1,000s and 1,000s of NT comments.

Instead of protests you could merely contested my honest observstions...

Although I seldom engage tedious religious debates I do often read them.

You plainly identify with Chou's evangelical zeal and found him attractive...

Suit yourself. Your "honest observation" is that I am an Evangelical Christian?  Noted. Well, believe whatever you wish about me. I can not please everybody, apparently that includes you too. I cry for the loss of life, and I realize his zeal got the best of him. His death at best was a so-called "necessary evil" and we have a great many of those kinds of dilemmas in the world. But, I digress.

Think of me in any setting you wish.

We have shared conversations both here and elsewhere for years and years now. So, any observations I may have are based on experience. Experiencing you refusing to acknowledge my valid points.  Experiencing you whine and complain when you are out debated. Experiencing your need for approval. And, experiencing your evangelical zeal. While I am not going debate the meaning of words, I must now also note experiencing your propensity to distort and misrepresent my own words dishonestly whenever it suits your purposes as you just did above. I never once accused you of actually being a member of any evangelical organization or of being an actual evangelical. What I said was, "You plainly identify with Chou's evangelical zeal and found him attractive".

Hall's Bells Son! You do not even belong to a church per your own confession. Frankly, when commenting on themes of faith your participation reeks of prostheletizing. You exhibit evangelical zeal. I have studied religion my whole life. I own and use an extensive library of scholarly religious tomes and biblical analyses. Certainly I am as entitled to my beliefs which try as I might you have never ever given even cursory consideration. Why try if every time I do you will again blithely dismiss my considered opinions? I will comment to you time to time as the spirit moves me but I am sorry I cannot and will not attempt communication with a steadfastly opaque correspondent.

Treat others as you wish to be treated or else stay under the porch while others discuss matters of faith and religion sans all the frustration of trying to communicate with a brick wall of blind faith fueled by Paulist evangelical zeal. The Jesus I know of from years of study would cringe reading much of what you say in his and his follower's defense though he would probable forgive the hubris and intellectual dishonesty and love you regardless.

I am sorry if my thoughts, observations and opinions hurt your tender feelings but my truths are justified and I am accountable for my words as are you. This is not an appropriate place to try and convert the members and frankly you are not verygood at it anyway. Carry on, if you must, in these endless religious debates but I think you are much better discussing politics or current affairs than religious matters where your tendency to be dismissive of others and overly emotional causes yourself much unhappiness. 

Nobody comes here to attack your faith or to hurt your feelings but it happens too often exactly because you put yourself into debates with logic tacticians whose skills leave you wounded and unhappy. Surely there are better things...

Maybe make the plunge to pursue happiness in your remaining life. WINK!

The Jesus I know of from years of study. . . .

JBB really? (Dryly.)

You do more 'drive-by' discussions than many on this site or the former defunct Newsvine. But you know what? Don't waste your time and mine. JBB, you can not insult me because frankly I have no interest in giving a —/.

As I stated before, when doing drive-bys in my direction think anything about me you wish. If I reek of being a proselytizer then you have all the fuel across multiple articles, groups, blogs, and comments dating back two years to make your case against me.

My evidence is I have not one "demerit" for the thing you accuse me of. Yet again I digress. If you have anything else personal to convey to me: Try Private Notes.

Nobody comes here to attack your faith or to hurt your feelings but it happens too often exactly because you put yourself into debates with logic tacticians whose skills leave you wounded and unhappy.

Really, no one here mocks religion, people of faith, ever? Not even a tinny weenie bit, JBB? Rhetorical.  

I will not risk getting too personal with you in public again. This is one and done.

If you cannot debate with big dogs sulk under the porch.

You went personal first and now your feelings are hurt...

That is why most loath to engage you on matter of faith.

Maybe, you could think on things before going emotional.

Do not project on me.  Put your emotions considerations in a Private Note, please. I am returning to the topic now.

Guys, 

Please stop discussing each other and discuss the topic. Thank you. 

Why not cast the body to the shallows? Allow the fishermen to take him away? Why claim him?

Well, for starters. if they got close enough to do that, they would probably get arrows shot at them-- and might also end up dead!

Please see @ 15.1.6

  In the upper right-hand corner of the photo the natives are practically touching and inside a boat, with another boat in the background left! Oh, and who is that "odd" creature standing to the left of the woman off-center of the 'catch' of  coconuts?

  Come on, let's be reasonable everybody.

CB I believe that picture was taken over 30 years ago and while that was the way it was then, leaders and societies change and that is not the way it is now.

I can respect that.

My reasons for re-posting and emphasizing the image has to do with a a reference to the activity in the article:

Officials typically don't travel to the North Sentinel area, where people live as their ancestors did thousands of years ago. The only contacts, occasional "gift giving" visits in which bananas and coconuts were passed by small teams of officials and scholars who remained in the surf, were years ago.

"Were years ago." Could encompass thirty (less or more) years. I can see your point. Thank you.

On another separate vein of this. The Indian government is taking note of this small tribe. That can either spell good times for the tribe ahead, . . .or a relative disaster.

The smart, wise, old islanders should take stock of killing trespassers, with the mistaken assumption that people off-shore can not see, investigate, or forensically discover what happened under the sand and behind the bushes and trees. It surely can draw the attention (and possible ire) of an inquisitive world body. (Smile.)

with the mistaken assumption that people off-shore can not see, investigate, or forensically discover what happened under the sand and behind the bushes and trees.

I don't really think they care if anybody sees.  

Maybe you're right and the islanders do not care if anybody sees them do these things. Being possessed of an appearance of nonchalance can surely explain why comment boards are potentially lit up about these islanders activities and whereabouts across the world.

What's interesting too is the photogenic images of this young man which are prolific on his reported (death) articles, and the forgiving nature of his parents. I do not know this for sure, but this story seems to have "karma" sprinkled on its facing pages.

I see no need for anybody to bother these people, just leave them alone

How does government approach Sentinelese? India proclaimed North Sentinel Island as part of the Republic of India in 1970. Since then, it has controlled access to the island and kept it under watch with its coast guard. It even passed a law in 2017 that made it illegal to post photos or videos of the Sentinelese, as well as other Andamanese groups, on social media. The Indian government doesn't include the Sentinelese in its census - in fact, it doesn't venture on to the island at all. It's counted its residents on the census based on photos taken from afar. I n its first census on the island, taken in 1991, it estimated 117 people were living there. In 2011, it counted 15 people total . Anthropological accounts haven't found any evidence of agriculture. Instead, the community seems to be hunter-gatherers, getting food through fishing, hunting, and collecting wild plants living on the island.

Read more at: oneindia

What these people are doing there is changing in-spite of their desires to be cut-off.

While it is great that NT supporters of people being left alone are being consistence in wishing the Sentinelese people a great future in isolation, the India government will ultimately decide the island and its inhabitants fates.

I want to emphasize: I wish the Sentinelese people all the best.

Since I am winning friends and influencing people all over this thread ( sarcasm ), I might as well add this:

John Allen Chau: Who was US man killed in remote islands?

The US man killed by a remote tribe on India's Andaman and Nicobar islands this week reportedly wanted to be an explorer. John Allen Chau was shot with bows and arrows as he landed on North Sentinel island, which is forbidden to outsiders, say local fishermen. According to local officials, the 27-year-old was a Christian missionary.

But on social media and in an interview attributed to him, Chau presented himself as an adventurer. "I love to explore," he told the Outbound Collective four years ago.

"So whether it's trekking through dense old growth forests near the Chilliwack River [on the US-Canada border], finding a rumoured waterfall in the jungles of the Andamans, or just wandering around a city to get a feel for the vibes, I'm an explorer at heart."

According to reports, Chau was killed by Sentinelese tribal people after he bribed fishermen to take him to the island illegally.

Police said Chau had previously visited North Sentinel island about four or five times with the help of local fishermen," journalist Subir Bhaumik, who has been covering the islands for years, told BBC Hindi. Andaman Director of the General Police Dependra Pathak told the News Minute , an Indian news website, he was told that Chau lived in the US state of Alabama and was "some kind of paramedic".

"People thought he is a missionary because he had mentioned his position on God and that he was a believer on social media or somewhere online. But in a strict sense, he was not a missionary.

"He was an adventurer. His intention was to meet the aborigines."

Officials say the islanders have lived in isolation for nearly 60,000 years and therefore have no immunities to common illnesses such as the flu and measles. Advocacy group Survival International said that by contacting the community, Chau may have passed along pathogens that have the "potential to wipeout the entire tribe" of about 50 to 150 people.

Police had earlier said he had set out with hired fishermen under cover of darkness and paddled a kayak ashore before he was killed. He had reportedly brought gifts for the islanders, including a small soccer ball, fishing line and scissors.

bbc

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