Download Article: "Orality, Story and Cultural Transformation: the Critical Role of Storytelling in Affecting Worldview and Values"

[Steve Evans]

I have been asked to make this paper available for download - ORALITY, STORY AND CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION: THE CRITICAL ROLE OF STORYTELLING IN AFFECTING WORLDVIEW AND VALUES. It was presented at the 3rd International Conference on Gross National Happiness in Bangkok, Thailand.

Here is the abstract:

Cultures are dynamic and are always in flux. What happens, however, when cultural changes are not good – when there is evidence of an eroding values system? Can a particular culture’s worldview intentionally and substantially change? It is unarguable that one’s worldview, culture and values are entrenched and to influence the alteration of these is difficult. However, the idea that affecting one’s worldview, culture and values to the point of change is not impossible. What this article proposes is that worldviews, cultures, and values can indeed be changed, resulting in not only the transformation of an individual’s life, but an entire culture as well. Storytelling in particular is a catalyst that can bring about substantial changes in worldview, culture and values.

If folks are interested, I can make available other papers for download as well! STEVE


BTW - I welcome your feedback on this article!

[Roisin Murray]

thanks for this Steve, I was really pleased to discover your use of the Bhuddist story (heavy thoughts) it is such a favourite of mine, and often used.

Yes please to offers of other papers too. They are really helpful

[Doug Banner]

Wow!!!!! Thanks Steve. This is right up my alley.
I'll read the article and get back to you.

[Larry Brown]

Steve,

Thank you for your articles. I find so many connections and agreements with my experience and research. My doctoral research was on the worldview of the Christian Identity Movement, the Bible-based racism that over the previous decade was being touted as the philosophy to undergird white supremacy. They promote the belief that white northwestern Europeans are the genetic descendants of the true Israelites, and some even claim their origin in the first "white" individual, Adam. But a major conclusion of my research was that they depend on telling that story again and again, and in the story lay out their essential definitions of race, cultural memory, sacred space, and political power. Their story weaves in and out of Hebrew and Christian sacred text, and interprets the way the world is today. It is a story of the defense of white European (Anglo American) civilization over against the powerful forces of multiculturalism and globalization. It is the story that provides security, empowers, motivates, and otherwise gives meaning to a certain subset of contemporary North Americans. Of course, depending on where one stands relative to their racial divide, this is good or bad news. Sadly this story has so often been used to justify considerable race-based violence, and domestic terrorism. But they make the point--stories are powerful in the shaping of worldview.

And one postscript: I am in a group currently studying N.T. Wright's 2006 book, Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. It has been interesting to me to note his dialogue with John Dominic Crossan and Marcus
Borg, and the related Jesus Seminar discussions. . . trying to get the story down. Larry Brown

[Steve Evans]

Great discussion, Larry, and a sad, yet true, story, illustrating the power of story that can be both for good or bad. BTW - N.T. Wright has dedicated over 100 pages to this subject of worldview and story in his book "The New Testament and the People of God." Keep sharing with us! STEVE

[Grandmahoney]

Thank you for sharing this article

Patricia (Grandma Honey)