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Due to an unknown reason I suddenly remember a fellowship gathering in the Church long time ago where I was told to prepare a tropic about politics and the Bible. To be honest, I think at that time very few or even none of the members has interest with this tropic, which are just as I recall is the theme of the last chapter of some Christian book. The attandants are very few especially the gathering date was the mother's day. Nevertheless, I do admit that I focused more on that issue afterward and even used the relevant theme, the Christian perspective on the concept of justice, as my tropic of my independant research in my Juris Doctor studies.
Some might relate this tropic or social activists/politicans with religious background with the advocacy of some courses or the introduction of new political thoughts or poltical institutions. Their obvious examples include human rights, democracy, abolition of any discrimintary practice or simply the usage of ambiguous terms like liberty and justice.And for that reason I choose the above tropic in the independent research, since beautiful words have most potential to be abused. I think when I prepared the above fellowship gathering at that time, I was expected for such a value/cause-based propaganda.
I can't remember what I finally did. And change is always the key for the development of an individual and the society. Now, I don't think I will do that as expected.
The reason is very simple. It is because human and society are so complex that a theory or a cause cannot solely be invoked to explain everything. For individual political figures like politican, civil servant, activist, diplomat or soldier, for example, they are just human beings, having both the goodness and the sinful natures. Again, I don't encourage judging others or discourage assessing these people's performance either, for the former is not beneficial to the spiritual health and the latter is not beneficial to the health of a society. It is very simple, because all standards written in the Bible are also applicable to them similar to their applicability to us as an ordinary citizen. We, either public figure or commoner, face the same judgment and receive the same grace from the God. So I cannot find any reason to think certain group of people more righteous or another more evil.
On the other hand, I think a few points should be noticed if we think how politics relates with our faith. They might not be easily accepted but are worthy for your attention, at least I know. The first is that I don't agree that the Bible specifies a particular social and political institutions or thoughts to help solving the community's ills. Of course, the Bible neither prohibit you to have such a view. Just citing an interesting case, since the Bible records the institutions like theocracy, absolute monarchy, colonial rule and the equalitarianism in the time of the Acts, does this mean we should follow them in this moment in Hong Kong? To make it short, we must be cautious to invoke religion to justify political or social cause. Also, personal view is that human is so imperfect and it is unable for us to establish a utopia, even using religious doctrine. I think we should not expect it and be realistic about that.
Some might suggest converting the whole population of a country into Christianity can make that country more prosper, transparent, equitable and humane. I recognize these Christian values and principles, and respect the statements or activists applying them in their services. Yet, we cannot exaggerate it. Firstly and again, we must not desire a perfect uptonian society in our globe. Second, pragmaticism and objectivity but not passion and emotion are always the corestones of resolving problems. And again, it is very difficult to generalize a particular method to explain all the problems or to formulate some solutions for them. Third, faith must be something very personal, and spreading gospel is keen to re-establish relationship between God and the converted individual, not to improve the society. Fourth, God never promises that the Christian will immune from the sufferings. Positively, God loves you not because you are better-off, civilizied, educated and democratic, but because He loves you. If God would have showed his love selectively to persons from developed, democratic, modern, open, industrialized, liberal countries, then it is difficult for us to tell that God is Love. And finally, history told us it is not the case, as we can see a non-Christian Japan has a more rapid political economic and social development than her Asian counterparts, while Christian-populous countries like Fiji and East Timor faced problems like civil disturbance and poverty. Just as I started this article, human and society are so complex.
Another point can be summarized into the following statements:
You can disagree, but please let arrogrance, bias, cyncism, hatred and hostility rein in your heart. Otherwise, you create more problems than the one you initially disagree.
Given to everyone's distinct family, cultural and social backgrounds, it is normal that every person have some views distinguishable with others. Poltical views are of course included. Customs are also listed. Therefore we must know how to respect the view of others. Sometimes consensus must be achieved, but it is due to the realistic nature of politics. Also a mature person, including politican, must consider the feeling of the others and put the shoe of others to view the same issue in others' perspectives. The exercise doesn't mean you should give up yourself and blindly accept what others told you. But that would be a sign of maturity and respect, at least, and is a step to achieve consensus and solution. Otherwise, you are impressd as a self-centred, self-interested and ignorant kid only.
As a result, I seldom talk about politics when I have meetings with friends. I avoid mentioning my political view except the closest friends. It can hurt others!
Nevertheless, I am certain for two views. The first is that I dislike the view that some kind of person is superior than another, whatever in terms of sex, race, place of birth or occupation. Jesus loves all of us as his children and his sheeps. God creates and loves all persons and they have their values, dignities and images of God upon creation. I distaste especially the unfavour treatment and attitude towards those in weaker and minor positions, and I think Jesus distastes it as well.
Second view is that whatever a person's opinion, the heart of arrogrance makes me sick! Even he comments correctly, an arrogrant attitude can render his view unpersuasive. Again, just like in other circumstances, in the political arena the key is still WWJD (What will Jesus do)! |
