Radicalism, the fruit of thorny policies in the name of democracy

Eritrean Mesqel in Juba, South Sudan, 27 Sept 2014

Radicalism, the fruit of thorny policies in the name of democracy

The Finding of the True Cross (Mesqel) is one of the biggest religious holidays for Eritrean Orthodox Christians. As a result many orthodox Christian followers celebrate it delightfully every year. On the afternoon of 27 September, Eritreans in Juba gathered together to celebrate this religious holiday around the surrounding of the Eritrean Orthodox Church. It was such a great holiday so many worshipers attended for prayer. A prayer of health, peace, love and prosperity! The huge blazing fire in Tumbora Road bordering the Eritrean Church added superb attraction to the celebration. The large gathering of the worshippers attests admirable efforts of religious leaders of the Eritrean Church here in Juba. Societies with strong moral fibers are well protected from dangerous external influences. On the other hand, societies remain vulnerable to extreme acts as their moral fibers decline. There comes the significant input of the church leaders in building strong moral values to guarantee the continuity of their people and nation. Thanks to our religious leaders who realize the importance of building a strong Eritrean society.

As we mark the celebration of our Meskel holiday with immense religious enthusiasm, we find the heavy powers of our world absorbed in the battle against extremism. Several reports indicate more than 3000 Europeans, 150 Australians and many American and French citizens have joined the ISIS in the Syrian  war. By any standard the heinous acts of the extremists in the name of Islam are totally intolerable.

We are also told some of the foreign fighters joining from the West did convert to Islam. This raises to question whether the “converts” really practiced Christianity from the start.

Although several political and social explanations could be discussed, the policies of the western nations that weaken the practice of Christianity in the name of democracy could have opened a vacuum. It has created a favorable ground for radical opportunists to saw their poisonous seeds of destruction in the minds of the innocent. Such American policies are not limited to their homeland. Using its neo-colonial policy to Africa, the US is becoming unfriendly against those nations that prohibit homosexuality. Recently, the US and several European countries threatened the Ugandan government to revise its policy of homosexuality otherwise finds its development aid packages cut. The Gambian government is also facing similar aggressive criticism from the West for not supporting homosexuality.

In the US, apart from protecting the gay and lesbian rights by the government, churches have also started to ordinate homosexual bishops. Imagine when a gay bishop administers your church? What kind of moral values do we think the society would gain? The case of Gene Robinson, the first gay bishop in the US Episcopal Church is a good example. BBC reports “the Bishop had previously been married to a woman with whom he had two children. They divorced amicably in 1985 over his sexuality”. He then married to a male partner called Mark Andrew in a civil ceremony in 2003. He didn’t stop there! He also “announced his divorce with his 25 years partner this year.”

Similarly, we find the French catholic bishops endorsing “homosexual unions” which further undermines Christianity. Statistical reports show that ‘’64% of the French call themselves Catholic. But the reality is that fewer than 5% go to mass each week.” These reports further indicate that “in France, you can call yourself Catholic without it having any religious implications. For example, among the many French who don’t practice a faith, but who still describe themselves as Catholic, 41% don’t even believe there is a God!” The detail is too long.

Taking the status of followers in the western nations and the promotion of contradictory practices within the churches, it becomes far from reality to conclude weather some of the foreign fighters who have joined Isis converted from Christianity to Islam. As they might never been followers of Christianity in the beginning. The conversion could only be limited to name changes. From Abraham to Ibrahim, for example.

From time immemorial, Churches play fundamental roles in cultivating and strengthening sensible way of life within their societies. A policy in favor of ill societal practices does, however, make societies vulnerable to develop dangerous ideologies. It is therefore quite obvious for radicalism to flourish in the children of western nations that promote vice over virtue.

Amanuel

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, Madote.com

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