Church and politics: A reversal of roles

The church is a symbol of authority in the society. That authority might not be formal and enforceable by law, but it is powerful and effective. It is an authority that often demands the laws of the land to concede to its wishes. 
In the United States, the church has been the greatest opponent to legislation requiring employers to include contraceptives in their employees’ medical cover. The church is so far the greatest opponent to the legalization of homosexuality and gay marriage. It leads the fight against abortion, and when the state seeks to enact laws permitting some of the things forbidden by religion; it often has to face the wrath of the church.
But it seems the state has been winning, and very regularly recently. Some argue that this is due to the democratization and secularization of many societies in the world. There has been a drastic shift over the centuries.
In the Middle Ages (around 476 AD – 1517AD), monarchy was the prevailing form of government and the King’s religion was the religion of the land. The church and the state were not just partnering organizations; they were an organism. The church was the head, while the laws of the land often existed to ensure the dictates of the church were enforced.
 But the tables seem to have turned today. Of course, everyone would like to speak of the “separation of the church and the state”, but all of us know that this is mere political correctness. The shift has been more radical. The church has been re-united with the state, except this time, the order of authority is inverted. The church seems subject to the state, and responding to every whim of the leaders of the land.
Afraid to offend, the church panders to the powers of the land. It gives up to politicians whatever authority it has over the conscience of the masses.

“This is very sad indeed,” says Mr Muluka,”These religious leaders seem to forget that a church congregation is not a political gathering. The people worshipping on Sunday come from different political persuasions. To force them to listen and applaud to someone they disagree with is not only disrespectful, it is an affront to their faith.”
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Ngare
This post originally appeared as a commentary to this feature on pulpits and politics in Daily Nation, July 30, 2014.

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