Politics could be clean
Getting the electorate to listen might be easy but keeping them hooked is harder. God ought to be the centre of your focus.
What you need to know:
Know that “Religion tends to be important to people who care about politics; likewise, politics often matters most to those who care about religion”, says theologian Richard John Neuhaus. Christians are, therefore, mandated to implement Christ’s victory in the political sphere. They are called to be salt and light in all aspects of the world to bring glory and honour to God (Matthew 6:13-16).
As the fever of elective politics takes a grip on the nation, one needs to appreciate the need to engage religion, so we may not dirt the game. Religion refers to relating with God and humanity. It gives meaning to life through spiritual, moral and ethical values. Religion is the soul of society.
Politics is derived from a Greek word poltikos, meaning, “relating to citizens”. It is the science or art of managing society through formulation and application of policy, for peaceful coexistence and cooperation among people, as well as for protection of the environment.
Religion forms the foundation for social and state authority. It sanctions obedience on the part of ordinary people and legitimises the exercise of power on the part of rulers. “For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God”, says Paul in Romans 13:2.
But, given the fallen nature of mankind, the ideal relationship between religion and politics has not always been achieved. Epochs in human history, like the Enlightenment (1700-1900), have ushered in a rational and scientific approach to religious, social, political, and economic issues, hence, promoting a secular view of society and its progress. The enlightenment maintained that human beings must be set free from religion, so as to be masters and captains of their own destiny.
Strange ideologies have tended to deprive human beings of the taste for committing themselves to a higher cause, as values are often reduced to mere slogans to camouflage the lack of real meaning. This has engendered the manipulative logic of seeking leadership positions for mere self-interest.
The enduring lamentations of politics being “a dirty game”, and “democracy from above” and violence, reveal our need for freedom from this “iron cage” (phrase by sociologist Max Weber). We need leaders who accord the dignity of each person, the freedom of all, and the meaning of life. “We can justly consider that the future of humanity lies in the hands of those who are strong enough to provide coming generations with reasons for living and hoping” (Vatican Council II- “The Church in the modern world”, number 31).
The gospel is not merely meant to be the good news about heaven when we die. Jesus’ birth is contextualised within Roman imperialism to indicate His liberating mission from sin and its effects. Jesus’ dictum: “‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’, in Matthew 22:21, must be interpreted in the context of Psalm 24: “All the earth belongs to God.” Caesar has been appointed by God, and is held accountable to God. By saying that His kingdom is not of this world, Jesus simply means that it comes from heaven to the earth (see Matthew 6:10).
“Religion tends to be important to people who care about politics; likewise, politics often matters most to those who care about religion”, says theologian Richard John Neuhaus. Christians are, therefore, mandated to implement Christ’s victory in the political sphere. They are called to be salt and light in all aspects of the world to bring glory and honor to God (Matthew 6:13-16). When rightly informed and motivated, Christians bring the moral standards of God’s kingdom into the civic realm.
Ultimately, politics is a calling to serve, rather than being served (Matthew 20:28). It demands self-denial and self-abandonment in God. Politicians should not attempt to control religion or introduce spurious religions to promote their egoistic agenda. It may be imprudent as well, for religious leaders to engage in elective and partisan politics, as this engenders divisive scandals. Theirs, however, is the noble and inalienable duty to inculcate the gospel principles concerning politics and to counsel secular leaders, without being compromised.
TIP…
Know that “Religion tends to be important to people who care about politics; likewise, politics often matters most to those who care about religion”, says theologian Richard John Neuhaus. Christians are, therefore, mandated to implement Christ’s victory in the political sphere. They are called to be salt and light in all aspects of the world to bring glory and honour to God (Matthew 6:13-16).
