Are primitive cultures, like the Sawi, necessary in our present world?

Honestly, I would say that primitive cultures, like the Sawi, aren’t necessary in our world. They don’t have any impact on the world; many of our lives would still remain the same even if we hadn’t learned about the Sawi. This may sound selfish but primitive cultures don’t really offer us anything. Though this is impossible, if America went extinct because of an unknown sickness, the whole world would go into a stage of chaos. Even if a smaller country, like the Philippines, went extinct, the impact wouldn’t be as big, but people would defiantly be devastated. Not many people know about primitive cultures, like the Sawi. The commercial world would agree with me. Like Don Richardson mentioned in his essay, if he hadn’t gone in first, others would have gone in to take the land. Isolation has caused the Sawi to be of no worth to the rest of the world.
As a Christian, I should think otherwise. God has called us to love others and make disciples. The Sawi matters to Him for they are a part of His creation. God cares about every man living on this earth; therefore, we should care. God wants everyone in his creation to be with Him in His heaven but because of sin, it is inevitable that some will experience his wrath in Hell. As believers, God commands us to go out and preach the Good News so that those, who haven’t been informed, may know where they can go after their life on earth. It is a Christian’s duty to spread the Word of God so to them, all cultures, whether primitive or not, should matter.
My beliefs are in a God who created the universe but my faith still hasn’t been grounded. I am still learning more about my God, trying to understand his ways. But there will never be a point in my life when my faith has reached its max because in Christianity, I believe there is only growing. That is why my thoughts sway between the worldly and the Christian point of view.

How would uncivilized cultures react upon receiving technology beyond their comprehension?

I’m not sure if everyone in a single culture would be able to receive technology. First of all, this question states “receiving technology beyond their comprehension.” Beyond their comprehension already confirms that not all people will be able to grasp that kind of knowledge.
Psychosocially, older people have a harder time comprehending new, abstract ideas. The reason for this is because as people grow older our fluid intelligence, the ability to think and solve abstract problems, declines. This doesn’t mean our brain turn into vegetables as we grow old because our crystallized Intelligence, the knowledge gained from experience, is still in tact. With this knowledge, I assume that the elderly in the uncivilized culture will have a harder time comprehending new technology. We see this happening even in our own “civilized” society. If someone said “My grandma has a cell phone and occasionally texts me,” most people would respond, “Wow! Your grandma is awesome!” This shows our prejudice against old people.
With everything said above, I’m still uncertain of the answer to the question. Looking at Korea’s past, we’ve overcome from being at the bottom of the economic class to the top within about sixty years. Even in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s Korea may have been considered as an “uncivilized” culture. However, I would consider Korea’s state to have worsened during World War II. Coming out of annexation, Korea was socially worn out and seemed like we wouldn’t be able to stand back up even if a century went by. Surprisingly, Korea responded conversely and has become a powerful country. Different cultures have their own way of receiving technology; therefore, answering this question is quite difficult.

What does God expect us to do for other cultures and faiths?

As Christians, we are to be emulators of Christ. Jesus had been sent down from heaven to not only die on the cross for the fallen people, but also to be an example to the believers. If he had been sent down for that reason, isn’t it our obligation to follow in his foot steps? Jesus’ commanded his disciples in the Great Commission “19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) Relating this to other cultures and faiths, God expects us to be a witness to them. There is nothing more important to Him than saving the lost people.
“4Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:4-7) We are all morally depraved and deserve to perish in hell but Jesus’ death on the cross allows us a different rout; therefore, we must share the good news to those who may not have access to this knowledge, or to those who have different beliefs.

Before doing anything mentioned above, we must love the people. Loving is crucial when doing missionary work for without it, we are hypocrites. If we profess about the love of God and do not love, we may be just as good as the Pharisees. The Pharisees did not love the people; therefore, they did they have any interest in saving them. The Pharisees wanted the acknowledgment and the pedestal to stand on. My point is, although our attitude may not be the same as the Pharisees, without love, we shouldn’t be out there teaching the Word of God.