SHOULD THE CLERGY FEAR POLITICS?

It matters to ask if the holy prophet Mohammed of Islam, the Buddha Shakuyamuni of Buddhism, the Messiah, Jesus Christ of Christendom, among others placed their reputations ahead of the welfare of the people they were raised to lead for the better; whether, the seeming disinterest of the ‘scribes’ of our time in issues of national interest tagged as “political” do any good to us.

Undoubtedly, the above religious icons were embodiments of discipline, selflessness and honesty who spoke the truth despite the threat it posed to them. They never looked on for the wrong and unjust to flourish in their sight. Their exemplary lifestyles, therefore, qualify as the appropriate litmus for checking the ‘true colour’ of those who have taken their robes to manifest the values they stood for.   

It appears to me that a red line has been drawn between national issues that the clergy can comment on and those on which they dare not take a side. Wrapped with party colours and sometimes reduced to quibbles, such untouchable issues, believed to contain high political capital, are ironically made to look like a furnace that the clergy should fear to get near. 

It is interesting to imagine how political elective office seekers and their cronies throng the churches and mosques for prayers and wise counsel during campaigns, but readily bin opinions from the same sacred mouths that pronounced fortunes on them few days after. Even fairly constructive criticisms face the fiercest knife on the altar of political convenience.  

I was taken aback reading a piece on the Montie Three where a columnist, in the August 26, 2016 issue of the Daily Graphic sought to question the legitimacy of the clerics who commented on the issue. I wondered if members of the clergy were a different breed of persons or spirit beings that were immune to the potential crises that could arise from improper handling of such matters.  

Unfortunately, most clerics in Ghana have bowed to this artificial creation that restrains them from holding to the divine virtue of calling a spade a spade. Issues of national concern have become somewhat unattractive to the attention of some members of the priestly fraternity who see such issues as ‘no-go’ areas for fear of being dented. To talk of availing themselves for elective office will be deemed ‘too far’ an adventure. 

Who cleanses the filth?

But the question is, if politics, the mechanism of governance, is thought of as filthy by the “saints”, whose duty is it to cleanse it by unconditionally offering to rescue others in service to God? Years ago, Archbishop Benson Idahosa stood against a planned conference of world witches in Benin-City in Nigeria. 

He publicly won the battle on a live television encounter with the chief convener of the conference. It was a legitimate meeting which government saw nothing wrong with. But the manifestation of the tribute, “If I be a man of God”, was at play as the occasion beckoned, and God did not fail to show up in Idahosa’s intercessory mission of saving Nigeria at the time. The clergy rose to save the situation. 

To seek refuge under the tent of past instances where the clergy came under vituperation for commenting on national issues offer a rather personal motivation for apathy that defeats the liberation theology which Jesus Christ, for instance, reflected in the world.   

Martin Luther King Jnr of blessed memory was a cleric who used his pulpit to whip up public conscience in the American society. He publicly deplored racial discrimination against the black race and marshalled support against all forms of injustice.   

What is dirty about politics if those who engage in it are not dirty? Being attitudinally and behaviourally mannered will plant positive virtues in our political discourse and make society better. The clergy should not coil back from the core issues that affect the ordinary person by allowing defective politicking to succeed in feasting on national fortunes.  

Culture of ‘prophetearing’ 

God still speaks to individuals in our generation. But that is not without space for charlatans to venture into such realm with questionable religious rhetoric that can tear us apart. The culture of prophesying on national elections is fast creeping into our body politic, which is not bad, except that God does not lie. There are concerns about the prophetic ministry becoming a safe haven for hearers of winners of elections who often put God in an uncharacteristic position of being inconsistent.

The worry is that most of these proclamations are not surgical in their manifestations, and yet condition the citizens’ mind towards a fixed outcome, and we must be careful. 

The principle of inclusive governance does not discriminate against the opinions of the clergy in national affairs neither does God whose affairs the clergy conduct on earth, condone the wrong. Let those who believe in the teachings of liberation theology speak up with a clear conscience and find divine protection and favour that posterity will benefit from.

Published: Daily Graphic, 20Th September, 2016

By Isaac Bisilki

RELIGION, PRISON SECURITY AND PRISONER REFORMATION

While it can be argued that religious clamour or ritualistic lifestyle of a group cannot be taken as a conclusive evidence of its true commitment to the professed faith, what is certain is that observers of such practices derive some form of benefit or motivation from it.  

The qualms about the commitment of prison inmates to seeking the face of God have divided opinions on the role of religion in the prisons: whether inmates resort to religion as an opium for their frustrations or it is the clarion call of the Messiah Jesus to all “who are heavy laden and need rest to come to him” that has found its fullest expression in their lives. 

Whatever the imaginary perspective that may be held, this subject will not count much. What is obvious is the indispensable and effectual role religious activities play in the lives of inmates who feel dejected and need solace. 

Some inmates have understood and taken full advantage of religious activities with the desire to amend their old ways. The moral lessons in religious teachings serve as cleansing agents on the conscience of those who commit themselves to reflecting on the word of God received textually or verbally. 

Religion in prison facilities

As human as prison inmates are, they are equally influenced by teachings that border on their spiritual and physical growth. Religious sects must, therefore, seize the opportunity to support efforts that aim at restoring the lives of inmates who have drifted to the path of moral decadence by accident or choice.        

Religious activities constitute an important adjusting force that drives the lives of inmates, without which many of them cannot bear the pain of imprisonment, detachment from loved ones, boredom and draining thoughts that engulf the whole experience of confinement. 

It is for this reason that particular attention is given to religion in prison facilities across the country. Religious activities are, therefore, employed by the prison administrators as one of the useful tools for reforming inmates through teachings and mentoring. 

By participating in religious activities, prisoners hold at bay any bad thought of attempt to escape lawful custody and render ineffective or useless the axiom that ‘the devil finds work for an idle hand’.

Role models

This helps to lessen the risk of inmates contriving with others to foment trouble or break jail. The inmates who take up leadership positions in these religious groups are, by their engrossment in those roles, naturally conditioned to conform to acceptable behaviour that places them above reproach. 

Other inmates who aspire to such roles learn to emulate them and this allows for the inculcation of the “good boy” spirit and its positive transforming effects on the inmates who avail themselves of the opportunity to accept religion as something that can change their lives for the better.  

The outstanding religions in the prisons are Islam and Christianity. The latter has the bigger fold, partly because of its receptiveness to music, a major source of entertainment for the inmates. 

Choirs

There are vibrant choirs in the central prisons with talented inmates who give splendid performances at most prison functions. At the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, there is the Reformers’ Choir, while the Sekondi Central Prison has the Messengers of Hope Choir, both being products of religion in those establishments. 

Even though being a member of a religious group in prison does not result in exclusive and preferential treatment of inmates, their natural quest for belongingness is served through such healthy and supportive associations. 

The Prison Ministry, as well as some churches and Islamic sects, have been consistent in their commitment towards the spiritual welfare of inmates but many more religious bodies are aloof but should come on board.  

What should be considered by these missionary entrants is the adoption and equipping of the musical groups in prison facilities. With a commitment to this cause, inmates with raw talents will be refined to realise their full potential. 

Other means of assisting these groups could be in the form of specific projects which have the prospects of making great impact on the inmates.  

If all religious bodies will hearken to the call to invest in this special “kingdom business”, many lives will be touched in the prisons with immense dividend to Ghana. 

                                                                         

The writer is an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons at the Sekondi Central Prison. Writer’s email:bisilkibaba@gmail.com

Published in Daily Graphic, 23rd August, 2016