Week 7 Discussion - In South Asia, the caste system divides society into a social hierarchy

Discussion Week 7

Respond to this assignment in this week's Dialogue (Group Discussion) area in Blackboard:

Are there other forms of the Caste System

In South Asia, the caste system divides society into a social hierarchy.  Traditionally, a person is born into a caste, which cannot be changed.  It affects nearly all aspects of daily life.

• All human groups have deeply ingrained concepts of relative social status.  Consider the caste system in South Asia as well as social differentiation in your own society.
  • Does the society you live in have anything that resembles the caste system (think about race, gender, location, occupation etc.)?  What are the possible categories in your area?
  • How is "caste" indicated (think about clothes, hairstyle, body decorations, manner of speaking, material possessions, gender, religion, etc.)?
  • What caste would you fit into?
  • What affect does this caste have on your everyday living?
• Many South Asians have converted from Hinduism to other religions to escape this caste system.  Would you be willing to change your belief system?
• Faith Integration:  What are your thoughts as to how the Gospel addresses this issue of caste systems?