Skip to main content

Let's Separate Church From Politics

There's this secularism concept that "you should not mix religion with politics" and extends to an extent "religion and politics should not appear in the same sentence." Presumably because of another notion "Politics is a dirty game" and "if you mix religion with politics the resultant is politics." 


The wall of separation of the two was coined by American president Thomas Jefferson and promoted by English Philosopher John Locke during the enlightenment epoch. But it appears to operate largely in some developed countries like the United States while in most third world and developing countries like Kenya, religion, state, and politics are intertwined. Religion is even misused by Machiavellian politicians for their political interests to attain and maintain powers as Italian Philosopher Nicole Machiavelli argues "the end justifies the means" and "a prince should be highly religious." This empties religion its eternal meaning.

A German Philosopher Karl Marx puts it "Religion is the opium of people." Christians congregate in churches on Sabbath expecting and anticipating an opportunity to worship God in Spirit, faith, and truth which give them the strength to carry on in earthly life and hope for eternal life. Churches are Holy and primarily used for worship services and other Christian religious activities similar as was with the Temple in Jerusalem where Jesus Christ expelled the merchants and the money changers from the temple for turning it into "a den of thieves" as it was meant for prayers. Presently many Houses of God had been turned into "dens of politicians." 

As we head to a year of Politics and Elections, there's a worrying image in the mind of many believers of the dangers of politicians highjacking the worship services in many churches which sadly disappoints many believers who turn up to Churches for Sermons and revivals only to meet a handful of politicians at the altars and pulpits exchanging harsh words, insults, spreading malicious propaganda, and propagating their political agenda. The whole church turns into a debate house between liberalism and conservativism which sometimes turns chaotic as recently witnessed in some churches where police had to intervene with tear gas canisters to restore peace and order. This usually shortens the sermons or late the church services where some believers leave the churches even before time while others miss churches during such periods.

Jesus said whenever two are gathered together in His name, He will be in their midst. Christ in Christianity is the head of the church and politicized churches are in danger of eliminating Christ from their churches and lives. Also, Clerics neglect their duty of spreading the Good News of Jesus and trying to persuade people of Christ's Lordship as well as convert and win many Souls in the Kingdom of God when they get obsessed with politics and the earthly kingdom. Sometimes it even becomes hard to differentiate between pastors and politicians and Sermons and Political speeches. This is contrary to Jesus Christ who did not involve Himself with the politics of His day. There was a time when People intended to make Jesus their Political leader "King" by force but when He realized their plan, He flew to the mountain by himself. So when Partisan Politics gets into the Church, it pushes Christ further and further away.  

Thus, Churches should understand how horrible it is to allow churches to be a subordinate of partisan politics. Churches should be the ones to separate the local churches from politics. They should be "Churches for all political parties and independents." BUT, if the need arises, Churches as the last resort can apply the myth that "even if politicians should not meddle in Church, Churches should meddle in Politics for the common good of Community."

         (Moses Muchiri is a Historian and Political Scientist)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MURATINA - Kikuyu Traditional Brew

Muratina is a crisp, sour, fruit flavoured Kikuyus' traditional brew made by fermenting Muratina fruit with water, honey, sugar and sugarcane juice. It has an alcoholic odor and is common in Central Kenya among the Kikuyu Community and has been passed from generations to generations where brewers learn the art or magic of making it from years of watching elders. Muratina in a Calabash 'Kinya' It is named after a fruit that comes from a wild tree commonly known as the "Sausage tree" due to its long, sausage like shape of the fruit which is highly poisonous when eaten raw unless boiled or roasted. The tree is scientifically known as Kigelia Africana and grows in river banks, wet areas and food plains in African countries such as Kenya, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea, Tanzania, Chad, Eritrea, South Africa and Namibia. In Kenya it is found in Central and Western Kenya. Among Kikuyu Community, the tree is neither planted nor cut by any human as traditionalists believe it is
Post a Comment
Read more

How To Register As UDA Member Online

Membership of the United Democratic Alliance, UDA is open to all Kenyans upon application. This applies to all Kenyan citizens in possession of a valid National Identification card or passport, irrespective of tribe, gender, race, colour, social status or creed who accept its principles, policies and programmes and are prepared to abide by its Constitution and rules in accordance with the provisions of the Political Parties Act 2011. UDA Membership Registration An UDA member has the right to: 1. Take a full and active part in the discussion, formulation and implementation of the policy of the UDA. 2. Submit proposals or statements through the appropriate structures to the branch, county, and region. 3. Offer constructive criticism of any member, official, policy programme or activity of the UDA within its structures. 4. Receive and impart information on all aspects of UDA policy and activities. 5. Take part in elections and be elected or appointed to any committee, structure, commissio
7 comments
Read more

CRP Litmus Test

Civic Renewal Party commonly known as CRP is one of the party in Mt Kenya Region in Kenya. The party is led by Muranga County Governor H.E Mwangi Wa Iria who is also the Council of Governors vice chairman and Presidential Candidate in 2022. CRP Headquarters Party Analysis CRP party logo 1. Name; The word 'Civic' means people's activities or duties in their local areas, towns or cities. So in choosing of the name 'Civic', philosophy is detected. 2. In 'CRP' abbreviation, still wisdom is detected. Just like it was in H.E Ruto's former party URP. 3. Party Symbol; The choice of symbol of a 'Cow' was also well advised as every Kenyan Citizen is familiar with cows. On the party symbol, I could have advised for additional symbol of coffee, tea or maize which are backbone to Kenyan Economy and later being staple food in Kenya and which the party leader has been in forefront in reviving it's farming in the County through provision of farm inputs. 4. P
Post a Comment
Read more