The Christian Association of Pattani and Social Networking Development

Abstract

This research article aims to study and develop social networks between the Christian Association of Pattani and its neighboring organizations. The research found that the Christian Association of Pattani has been established since 25 March B.E.2556 to create a representative of the Christian communities that could interact on their behalf with non-Christian sectors, particularly the Provincial Cultural Council of Pattani and the Provincial Cultural Office of Pattani. These two neighboring organizations are important for empowering and integrating the local Christian communities into the civil society of Pattani. The Association’s efforts are conducted in line with the Biblical teaching to “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself”. Arguably, the Association seeks to promote social networking by means of the following guidelines: (1) Mutual respect and sensible to cultural diversity (2) Consistent with the Biblical principles and socio-cultural capital of the local Christian communities (3) Needs of requisites for cross-cultural interaction are as following: voluntary participation; fairness in social interaction and exchange; no negative effects on cultural identities and community autonomy.