For some time I have wondered about the role/responsibility of religion in politics, back in the UK and here in Tanzania. I've generally tended to conclude that religion should not become too directly involved with politics. However I have always believed that it does have a responsibility to engage in politics at different levels. One clear area for me is to encourage all believers to engage in the process. To encourage them to vote, to be educated as to their choices, and to have their voice heard.
The article I have just read, by the Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dar es Salaam, has said much the same:
The Church and all people of goodwill no longer wish to see our community being led by leaders who have no concern for the people.
That condition of leaders being imposters or fisads (overly corrupt) is not loved by the Church. Are such individuals voted in by the people? Was the populace not a victim of a lot of cheating?
Maybe they were given a few portions of rice and pairs of khanga then voted for them. The Church wants to provide voter education, so that when the people go to vote, they do so as responsible citizens, knowing fully well what kind of leaders they are choosing.
After elections, they should not give excuses that they did not know what they were doing, that “what are we going to do since these people are already in power?”
In order to attain that goal, the people must be educated. They should no longer be cheated by rice handouts. Development is a result of choosing good leaders.
I am very encouraged to read this. The church, wherever it is, needs to standup and take responsibility for its role and its power. It needs to play a role in educating the public as to all the options, and so help them see beyond the short term benefits and look to the long term results of their actions. People do have power within politics. The true injustice is when they are made to feel that they do not.
To read the whole article click here.
3 comments:
Hi
My Wycliffe friend pointed me to your blog and this post as faith interacting with policy/politics is a particular passion of mine.
Reading your blog reminds me that the same issues seems to affect us all no matter where we are in the world... just with different manifestations.
I would say that here in Northern Ireland we suffer from political short-termism where political parties are looking over one shoulder at who might be out to get them at the next election whilst looking over the other shoulder at policies that will be popular with the electorate in the short-term but leave us in difficulty, particularly financially in the long-term. And when they're looking over their shoulder they're very definitely not looking towards the way ahead or any sort of vision for the future.
The church with its call to live life to the full, which has been given the gift of hope and a future is surely one place where we can begin to call on our politicians to see further than what is directly behind them and begin to think courageously about the future.
At church tonight we sang a song about being prophets to this nation... we need to find/hear/discern/listen to that prophetic voice once more.
Hi! I am the 'Wycliffe friend' :) 'Andmilestogobeforeisleep' has blogged about politics and religion following your blog post. Take a look at http://andmilestogobeforeisleep.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/politics-and-religion/
A very good point Matt. It is a hard task trying to pick a party or politician who will do what he/she professes. I am glad to say we now have a party who are up front proclaiming thy are a Christian party their goal being to proclaim Christ in parliament.I only hope people will give them the chance to proclaim the rightousness of God where it needs to be heard.Allan
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