Christianity, Politics, and Election
By Glenn Plastina
What has Christianity to do with politics? The separation between the church and the state is an established reality among Filipinos. Both are autonomous and independent of their own. For the same reason, the tension between Christianity and politics is ever-widening. Now that the nation-wide election is nearing to its culmination, Filipinos could expect another face of politicizing the people. And religious institutions are experiencing various responses to the campaign,
Lately, the Philippines gained prominence among the second top most corrupt countries in Asia. No one seems to claim who is responsible for the blatant corruptions that placed the nation on a disgraceful status globally. Ironically, this is the same country known as “the only Christian nation” in the Orient (That could be an overstatement). But it is easy to throw the blame on politics as sole responsible for the anomalies in economy, justice, and law.
From the perspective of Christian communities, politics is generally perceived as a dirty business. This is just one of the complex personalities many Christian Filipinos have. Even those who are known for many abuses and corruptions in politics are the same religious people that can be seen in the churches. Is it a manifestation of "split-level spirituality" or just a façade to cover the anomalies? Meanwhile, common Filipino people continue to struggle for a better living.
Conversely, Filipino Christians have different stance towards politics. On the right side are the “passivists.” They believe that politics is the realm of no concern. They have nothing to do with political affairs and are therefore willing to entrust their social fate as a Filipino citizen to the flow of the masse. Some are critical and suspicious to the game of politics; to some extent, so come what may. They are already comfortable on their own self-reliance. They have spiritual priorities to fulfill in their own local church. On the left side, however, are those “activists.” They are aggressively involved in the struggle for justice, freedom, and rights through protests and campaign. Though some are after social change and righteous revival, many are concerned for their accountability as a witness in a wider place.
But Filipino personality is not complete without the middle. There are the “moderates” in relation to politics. They are concerned about politics and yet involved in a social struggle through responsible citizenship. They take the chance to help the nation towards a national, social change by living a responsible life within their local communities. They bend on their knees and fervently anticipate that their influence will contribute a spark of life and hope to the nation under stress. They believe that election is a bridge that will impact both Christianity and politics. If politics fail, Christians will be affected; if Christians fail by their conspiracy of silence, the nation suffers.
Then, here comes the election. Honestly, this is a fearful event. Even if a president shares common belief with the people, it does not guarantee social change. The impact must start from below--the community. But a wrong majority decision is a landslide also to the minority. The most fearful thing are those religious influence who sold their allegiance to the highest political bidder; without thinking that those who bribe for a position is determined to take a hundred fold than what they gave. That is why communities must take necessary steps to ensure their accountability as Filipino citizens. By earnestly praying for a godly leader who is politically competent to lead the nation, Christians must decide whether they are to leave their decisions on people who sold their rights. This election is not just a matter of electing a person who shares a certain belief but also an experienced political persona entrusted by the people, for the people, and of the people.
Exchanging decision to vote for the right person in the seat of government is tantamount to betraying the future of the present and next generation of Filipino children. It will not only devour the other local citizens, but all of community of believers. It is hoped that Christians will indeed live up to their call as change-agents in their own locality. In such a way, they can impact the nation from below.
What has Christianity to do with politics? The separation between the church and the state is an established reality among Filipinos. Both are autonomous and independent of their own. For the same reason, the tension between Christianity and politics is ever-widening. Now that the nation-wide election is nearing to its culmination, Filipinos could expect another face of politicizing the people. And religious institutions are experiencing various responses to the campaign,
Lately, the Philippines gained prominence among the second top most corrupt countries in Asia. No one seems to claim who is responsible for the blatant corruptions that placed the nation on a disgraceful status globally. Ironically, this is the same country known as “the only Christian nation” in the Orient (That could be an overstatement). But it is easy to throw the blame on politics as sole responsible for the anomalies in economy, justice, and law.
From the perspective of Christian communities, politics is generally perceived as a dirty business. This is just one of the complex personalities many Christian Filipinos have. Even those who are known for many abuses and corruptions in politics are the same religious people that can be seen in the churches. Is it a manifestation of "split-level spirituality" or just a façade to cover the anomalies? Meanwhile, common Filipino people continue to struggle for a better living.
Conversely, Filipino Christians have different stance towards politics. On the right side are the “passivists.” They believe that politics is the realm of no concern. They have nothing to do with political affairs and are therefore willing to entrust their social fate as a Filipino citizen to the flow of the masse. Some are critical and suspicious to the game of politics; to some extent, so come what may. They are already comfortable on their own self-reliance. They have spiritual priorities to fulfill in their own local church. On the left side, however, are those “activists.” They are aggressively involved in the struggle for justice, freedom, and rights through protests and campaign. Though some are after social change and righteous revival, many are concerned for their accountability as a witness in a wider place.
But Filipino personality is not complete without the middle. There are the “moderates” in relation to politics. They are concerned about politics and yet involved in a social struggle through responsible citizenship. They take the chance to help the nation towards a national, social change by living a responsible life within their local communities. They bend on their knees and fervently anticipate that their influence will contribute a spark of life and hope to the nation under stress. They believe that election is a bridge that will impact both Christianity and politics. If politics fail, Christians will be affected; if Christians fail by their conspiracy of silence, the nation suffers.
Then, here comes the election. Honestly, this is a fearful event. Even if a president shares common belief with the people, it does not guarantee social change. The impact must start from below--the community. But a wrong majority decision is a landslide also to the minority. The most fearful thing are those religious influence who sold their allegiance to the highest political bidder; without thinking that those who bribe for a position is determined to take a hundred fold than what they gave. That is why communities must take necessary steps to ensure their accountability as Filipino citizens. By earnestly praying for a godly leader who is politically competent to lead the nation, Christians must decide whether they are to leave their decisions on people who sold their rights. This election is not just a matter of electing a person who shares a certain belief but also an experienced political persona entrusted by the people, for the people, and of the people.
Exchanging decision to vote for the right person in the seat of government is tantamount to betraying the future of the present and next generation of Filipino children. It will not only devour the other local citizens, but all of community of believers. It is hoped that Christians will indeed live up to their call as change-agents in their own locality. In such a way, they can impact the nation from below.
posted by GlenPlas @ 12:22 AM
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