Does God have a place in politics?
The decision by former head of Malawi Assemblies of God Church The Reverend Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to join active politics sparked controversy among some quarters last year.
Chakwera in now president of the Malawi Congress Part (MCP) and Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
While some Pentecostal Christians said Chakwera’s move heralded the final establishment of the Kingdom of God, conservative Christians condemned him for ‘abandoning his spiritual call in search of earthly wealth’.
Martin Chikafa, a Blantyre-based Christian, said people who were called to serve God as pastors or any priestly position are not supposed to join active politics.
Chikafa argued that by joining active politics, Chakwera demonstrated that he had all along been nursing a lust for wealth.
“We need to know that politics has the capacity to corrupt people’s minds. Are we sure pastors can serve political parties without corrupting their minds?” he asked.
Chikafa said experience globally has shown that Pentecostal faith leaders are ‘too proud’ to submit to secular leaders, including State presidents.
“Now, the question we need to ask is: Since Chakwera lost the presidential poll, will he submit to the winner?” he wondered.
But a Luchenza-based Pentecostal Christian, Teresa Mateyu, differs. Mateyu believes there is nothing wrong with pastors and priests joining active politics as long as they do not forget their initial call.
“I believe pastors in active politics can play a critical role in ensuring righteousness and social justice in the world,” she said.
American writer Sharon Angle seemed to agree with Chikafa when she wrote: “We’ve become a country entrenched in idolatry, which is the dependency upon our government. We’re supposed to depend upon God for our protection, provision and our daily bread, not government.”
She believes politics makes people depend on government rather than God for their survival.
“To cut the story short, God has no place in politics,” she wrote.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Phalombe North Anna Kachikho said God or indeed religion does have a place in politics.
Kachikho said no politician can achieve his or her ambitions without the help of the Creator.
She said without God, one loses his or her sense of morals, values and sins at will without discretion or fear of consequence.
“Without religion, money, power and greed become driving forces, all of which represent everything that is evil and corrupt. Religion needs to be brought back to the political scene,” she said.
