Nagaland church and politics| politics and church

 Nagaland church and politics:

 politics and church :

The meaning of Christianity:

Christian contribution to the society :

Christian view of patriotism :

Church in Nagaland 

Introduction:

Politics:

The term politics was first used by Aristotle. It is derived from the Greek word "polis' which means city. to the Greeks, the city was the state where all humans problem were deal with. So politics is an art, dealing with the people to live together and to co-operate in matters of common interest.

An Athenian interest was all centred in the city. His art was civic; his religion ,so far as it was not a family matter, was the religion of the city; and his religious festival were civic celebration. Therefore to the Greeks, the city was a life in common. Its institution as Aristotle said, was a mode of life. The fundamental thought in all Greek political philosophy was the harmony of the common life (ethics, social, economic etc). 

Aristotle tells us a simple truth which says: he who is unable to live in a society, or who has no need to, because he is sufficient for himself must be either a beast or a God.

It means man is a social animal, because he is born in a society and live in it. He is easily affected by sympathy,and the desire for sympathy. He prefers company to solitude.

This society must be properly organised (a definite territory distinct from others) and such a society or community requires mutual adjustment and cooperation.

A life to share with eachother weal and woe. Its activities sometimes, somehow become political, the term is reserved for those common affairs which are under the direction of an authority or an agency, managing or controlling this affairs on behalf of and in the name of the community. This agency or authority is what we call the state. Now ,than politics is the concern of every man with a sense of responsibility,for everybody is affected by it's rules and decision. 

In a situation like that of Nagaland,the important roles that politics and churches have to play cannot be underestimated. Here in Nagaland,in the heart of the defenceless and helpless situation,the is a deep desire for political and stability, social security and spiritual balance. Risks are high but the responsibility of the church are great. There is no time to waste but fight for social, religious and political justice in accordance with the will of the Lord. this is what author mean to be politics.

Church:

The Hebrew word 'qohal' (meaning assembly ) is considered to be the proper meaning of the church. The Greek word 'ecclesia' (meaning call out) had been accepted by the New Testament writers in order to give the true meaning for the church. Anyway, whatever good meaning we have for the church in relation to human life is what counts most.

God becoming man is the centre for theological reflection and action, especially the incarnation life and work of Christ,based on love (love in biblical theology is the chief criterion in establishing a good social relationship as it is to God man relationship).

As it has been in God's plan, Jesus Christ was called out with a heavy responsibility and so was the church called out with the purpose. Choosing seven deacons (Acts 6:1-6)

Was an administrative body to maintain equal rights and equal sharing in socio-economic and religious life of the early Christian community. Therefore, forming an Apostolic body or establishing a church body was to execute the plans and commands Jesus Christ left for us. For this purpose, Jesus came preaching good news to the poor; for giving the sins of man: healing the sicks; proclaiming liberty to the oppressed and release to the captives (Like 1: 8-19). 

This is what the Lord of the church did. And so our theology should not leave any corner of human life unconcerned. Many people concern the kingdom of God as a small part of human concern,but in a sound theology, political kingdom is a small part in God's kingdom. Thus, church and politics are like the two room under a single roof, which is the Kingdom of God.if so "Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations". (Matthew 28:19) is our emphasis in order that "they will be done on earth as it is in heaven"(Matthew 6:10) be accomplished.

The meaning of Christianity:

The Christian Church is described as disciples, saints, brothers and believers. In Greek the word "Ecclesia" which literal meaning is 'called out community ' call out from "darkness into light".(1 Peter 2:9).

In other words, Ecclesia (A chosen people) before Jesus was not a simple physical race . But it is inclusive of every race which is called by God and obeyed that call.

This Christian Church is compared to a living body of an individual. The implication that the body has a function and that its members has to take the responsible part in the function of the visible church. But an individual Christian in the church (whether invisible or visible only God knows) is responsible in eternal life and must be demonstrated in visible church. "The church is not a graduate school for saints, but is a kindergarten for sinner" (Billy Sunday).

No true society can exist without common belief and common aim. Religion declare that belief and aim, whereas politics regulates the society in practical realisation. That is why Washington says,it is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and bible.our civilization cannot survive materially unless it is redeemed spiritually. Moral values cannot be retained without spiritually sound. 

I believe this is an urgent challenge to our society today. unless we build up the concept of Christian responsibility. It is impossible to make our country survive with all kinds of programmes and policy. The Christian life and its purpose must be practical and personal. Living with responsibility response to God act of redemption in Christ. The political history of Naga people begen with Christianity and must end with it. Any organisation in Nagaland without basing on the Christian faith will be a failure. Because God has a special purpose for Naga as a peculiar treasure lust like Israel. As it is mentioned in the book of Amos. "Of all the nation of the earth, you are the only one I have known and cared for, that is what makes you sin so terrible and that is why I must punished you for them. Amos 3:2.

Christian contribution to the society:

The establishment of the educational institutions by Christian missionaries namely William Carey , Alexander Duff, John Wilson (and many other who deserves special mention) in Calcutta, Bombay, Madras,serampore had important western education and culture, which resulted in the liberation of India.

No society or religion had done so much to change the whole structure in the country. Most of the productive leaders and intellectual class were brought out from Christian institution, such as Wilson college in Bombay, Stephen college in Delhi, Serampore college, Christian callege in Madras and many other institutions contributed to the building of the new India. there is no place to mention all about the Christian contribution like hospital and other Christian activities for human welfare.

Whatever the reformation took place in India there was no reformation without Christian influence like Raja Ram Mohan Roy the founder of Bramo samaj. It attracted many intellectual people like Rabindranath Tagore and later Swami Vivekananda and Shri Ram Krishna. They all adopted Christian through and way of living whether it is philosophy or literature or art. 

Thus, it created spritual and national consciousness with patriotic sentiments in many people of India. As a result of this changes, National Congress come into being on December 30th 1885, let by Benerjee who happened to be a Christian. Another remarkable man Rev. C.F Andrew, a missionaries from England was very often misunderstood both by European and Indian. He was insulted by British community and call him Traitor. "And other Indian call him a Spy who later became the most admirable man among the white. He participated in Indian Congress and advocates for the right of India. That is why M.K Ghandhi call him "friend of India". And so Indian leaders give him the title "Dheena Bhandu" indeed he was a Christ faithful apostle who share life of mixture, tragedy and laughter in the days of freedom struggle of India.

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Christian view of patriotism:

Patriotism is the love of one's country. It is natural for a man to feel proud for his own country. The place where he grows up in the midst of beautiful surroundings, mountains, valleys rivers and trees, plants and flowers of his natural land ,where his forefathers handed down to him all kinds of heritage.

And I am not surprise to see when a man willing to suffer for the sake of his Fatherland and his people. It was a man called Mazzini form Italy who wrote to his fellow Italian.

"Without a country you have neither name,token voice,nor right. In the same way you will not find neither faith nor protection,none will be sureties love for you".

A man who doesn't love his country can love nothing. The place where I can rest with my possession of field to sustain a home to cover me is my Fatherland; because I have to live on the heritage of my father who defended the territory of my homeland and the society against external attacks and danger.

It may be big or small country,it  is all because of patriotism a nation came into existence.it was patriotism which enable the colonial people in different countries to discover their right to fight for their independence, and finally to realise their nationhood. It made the people to feel the sense of independence and self respect and has provided them a new social solidarity to replace the traditional bond.

Patriotism doesn't mean to be natural leaders, nor the elected members only. We should not wait in silence till we are elected to the legislature or to some executive or administration post. There are many opportunities in every day life to live a patriotic citizen. It is very unfortunate that many so called leaders become inaffective which they are not in high position. I can simply admire J.F Kennedy who said," do not ask what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country".

These words can be uttered from the mouth of only a patriotic man. I wonder how many politicians can say like Abraham Lincoln, when he was elected as the president of United States of America,he started choosing man here and there for his cabinet secretariatship. Can you imagine Mr. Lincoln selected one of his enemies called Stanton. Immediately one of his advisor said, Mr. President, you are making a mistake he will seek to sabotage your programme, he is your enemy. Have you thought this thought? Mr. Lincoln answered, Yes , I know Mr. Stanton , I am aware of all the terrible things he said to me". But looking over the nation I said he is the best man for this job. So Stanton had become war secretary. And he rendered his valuable service for his nation and his president.

Do our politicians and leaders follow the example of Mr. Lincoln who only thing for the welfare of his country.?

A country  without having genuine patriotic leaders can never usher prosperity into the country.

However,it is always dangerous when the patriotism become extremists, who says, "my country right or wrong". That is why we must temper our patriotism with wisdom and Christian love.

Donald W. Shriver in his speech on church and social change, said, "As late as world war 1 , American. Clergyman was telling some young man of my country that they should go off to fight the German with assurance that Jesus Christ is looking you down the barrel of your Gun".

That is why a German Christian did not hesitate to killed a British Christian. A Christian should see the difference between violence and nonviolence. People want justice and so they go to the extent of fighting for it through violence, because circumstances compel them to do so. It is not enough in just crying for peace: one must react on the great basis and moral principles of the Christian religion in creative spirit that are necessary for peace and justice.

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Sometimes this doctrine is called the doctrine of righteous war. The great example of recent western history is that the Nazi in Germany, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer a German theologian came to conclusion, that Nazism is a devilish political movement. So he took part in this plot at the attempt on Hitler's life. Ethically he was justified as a Christian.

In January 1933 the Nazis party won one-third of popular votes in the last Democratic election. One may wonder what made Adolf Hitler to keep the power, where minority of Protestant and Roman catholic church leaders were branded as anti-nazi consequently, most of them were executed; and 6million Jews were executed. In this context a Christian may have different opinion.

In some Christian circles, it is felt that it is working to stress concerns on issues like peace, social justice and equality, and that the church should rather keep preaching for conversion of non Christian. For example, the New testament bears witness that Peter protested against the effort of the sanhedrin to silence the witness of Christ and in the old testament, the prophet had no hesitation in condemning the rulers of the state whenever they went against the principles of divine justice. One also sees that Paul was very quick in his defence of the right of his citizenship in the presence of the state authorities when he felt that it was acting wrongly or illegally (Acts 16:17-, 23:11). If Christians are faithful citizens, they should not feel hesitant to raise their voice on political issues for the benefit of every citizen. Therefore, the church must be prepared to take risks and speak and work for the right of all it's members who are good citizens of the country. As Rouscher pueck said, Christians should take direct role in the struggle for social justice and in doing so the church must be convinced that what it does is just and right.

Now the question is: Do our churches realise the theological basis of Christian faith and practice. Very often we forget the word "Life Service" and preach soul winning but ignore the cry for justice. If the love of God and love to men is absent in my life, no gift, no talent nor possession can substitute to fulfill the will of God.

Reference: Book(Nagaland church and politics- V.K Nuh)

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