28 April 2003
editorial
Lusaka — THE Church deserves to take its rightful place in the governance of every nation, and the Zambian case should be no exception. The Church by its nature has stood up against injustice for the disadvantaged, the vulnerable and the poor to press for a fair, just and humane society for all.
And it does not help when the Church abandons this very noble role. It is indeed sad that the Church's voicing of its concern on the state of affairs in the nation has been misunderstood by some sectors of our society especially those in the political realm.
As Christian Council of Zambia (CCZ) general secretary Reverend Japhet Ndhlovu stated yesterday the Church should not mind being branded partisan if this tag is only attached to the strong stance in condemning all that destroys peace, justice, reconciliation and the good of all the people of God.
Rev. Ndhlovu assured the Church would not take a partisan stance to support a given political party but progressive ideas that stand for justice. As he further acknowledges, the role of the Church does not just end at telling people to repent and prepare them for heaven as the MMD politicians have stated.
It should be realised that the Church was also called upon to address the practical conditions of life and it is indeed encouraging to hear Rev. Ndhlovu state that he, and other Church leaders, would not keep quiet for as long as people had no food, water, clothing and other necessities. What the Church has merely preached is repudiation, rejection and hatred of an unjust system and simply hatred of injustice.
They are not preaching partisan hatred or hatred among political parties and their leaders, because in the final analysis men are the victims of the system. But if they have to oppose or criticise politicians who represent the system they hate, they have every right to do so.
Our interpretation - which we think is shared by all people of good will - of the Church's position on the political happenings in our country is that it is not a matter of partisan politics but merely of opposing and criticising an iniquitous system, political practices and policies that deny the people and general populace their deserved wellbeing.
We don't think there's any contradiction in what the Church has been saying and doing, especially over the last few weeks, with Christian teachings, because if a pastor, priest, nun or bishop says, "I hate injustice, abuses and crime," we don't think that would be against Christian teachings.
We don't think denouncing and opposing crime, injustice, abuses and inequalities among men goes against Christian teachings or is in contradiction with religion. Standing up for rights wouldn't be against Christianity either. Within the religious way of thinking, as we understand it, there's no conflict between defending a just cause and religion.
Let's not forget that Jesus once made some very strong charges against the Pharisees and called Herod a fox. What's more, Jesus tells us that we should love our enemies - he doesn't say we mustn't have enemies - and there's no greater love for a person who is perpetrating injustice than to prevent him from continuing to do so.
Moreover, we were taught that those who committed crimes and were responsible for injustice, evil and all those other things that the Church is today opposing and criticising would be punished in hell. Could that be interpreted as an expression of hatred, partisanship?
If the MMD and indeed President Levy Mwanawasa, are really uncomfortable with the position taken by the Church, the first thing they need to do is to address the issues that have made them take such a stand. And what is it that moves the Church?
Objectively, it is man's exploitation, oppression, marginalisation and social injustice. It is not a call to partisan politics; rather, it is an explanation of the social reality, of what happens when people become aware that they are being unfairly and unjustly treated.
And let's not forget that Christ's entire doctrine was devoted to the humble, the poor; his doctrine was devoted to fighting against abuse, injustice and the degradation of human beings.
If this is so, then what's wrong with the Church - the Christian Church - doing the same as Jesus did and in the name of his Church? We also believe that we have come to a time when religion can enter the political sphere with regard to man and his material needs.
And looking at things in this way, it is very difficult to accept MMD party members' requests to the Church to stop taking a partisan stand when commenting on political issues.
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