After Hiram Bingham built the first church on Oahu the student recalls, "When it was completed some of the natives said among themselves, 'That house of worship built by the haoles is a place in which they will pray us all to death. It is meant to kill us.

Sarah Vowell
About This Quote

In the early days of Hawaii, missionaries from the United States came to teach people about their faith. While some of the people who were learning the new faith were happy with the results, others felt differently. These individuals did not want their culture and heritage changed in any way. Some even called for violence against the missionaries.

When Hiram Bingham built the first church on Oahu, he was often told by his enemies that his efforts would kill all of them. The idea was that Bingham’s church would cause them to die from a lack of elders. In reality, Bingham’s church actually contributed to many more people being saved and prepared for heaven.

Source: Unfamiliar Fishes

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