Are our politicians religious?

(In this article, when you read politicians, I mean politicians in general. Further, let the good politician enjoy the article)

The renowned 19th century Germany philosopher and atheist Friederich Nietzsche once observed that, “Christians are an "unphilosophical race" that "need its (Christianity's) discipline to become 'moralized and somewhat humanized." Even though Nietzche’s statement is a twist, behind it lays a very fundamental truth which is, a disciplined Christianity makes one moral and human, which, in fact, is a fact.

Turning to the Qur’an, it is written somewhere that, “Hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Qur’an, 7:199). It’s very conspicuous from this statement that, doing what is right is regarded as a supreme virtue and ignorance is a killer of the soul.

In Ghana, Christianity and Islam religions form a greater part of the population. This can easily be observed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays afternoons. In the Ghanaian parliament, we can see a clear picture of religious diversity. Almost all of our past and present presidents were religious men. In fact our national anthem begins with “God.” By why is it that we can’t do what is right? Where is equity and justice? Why is it that our politicians are so corrupt and disrespectful towards citizens? Why are they so ignorant about visionary projects?

I remember growing up in the 80’s way to the 90’s, I felt the impact of colonial Christianity in Ghana. In the schools, we were forced to plant flowers, paint the stones, tack in our shirts and arranging our chairs and tables in order. I flip through my father’s photo album and could easily deduce the kind of life our colonial masters left in our civilization. It is a fact that Ghana then, was neat and disciplined.

I have not been to Great Britain yet, but almost all the European countries that I have visited, I could still see traces of Christianity. In my own country of abode, Switzerland, you easily see from their flag. Make no mistake that Christianity dominated Europe until the period known in history as Age of Enlightenment or Reason (18th century) when men considered reason as superior pure knowledge. For America, we know its history and their strong religious liberty tells the historical religiosity of the nation. Hence, I do object to the assertion that Christianity or whatever has cast a shadow on our development except that we are blindly religious.

I pose a question that, if these nations were religious, yet developmentally sane, why is it that our own religiosity cannot save our land? Why is it that our charismatic and ecstatic enthusiasm towards religion has only left us in wanton life? Is that the wish of God for us?

As a theologian studying the concept of religion, God and philosophy, I find in religion a holistic education that intends to build the interior faculties of a person. Religion is meant to make us feel ourselves and neighbors. The central element in religion which is love and faith is meant to move our intellects to relate cordially with one another. Any religion that makes one to lose his or her intellectual faculties is Satanic. You take 100 world’s greatest scientists before the 21st century and you’ll find about 80 % of them being religious men and women. What kind of religious people do we have in Ghana?

From what I see from our politicians and their level of thinking, I can only see a religion devoid of love and justice. They claim to be religious but do so as a mere lifestyle in honor of their looks. They have lost the culture of love, ethics and probity towards God and Ghanaians; if not cocaine wouldn’t have turned into caustic soda after three years of High court case.

When the gay issue erupted in Ghana, I followed up closely and wrote a lot of articles on the issue. During a session in parliament, I saw a unanimous cry against the issue of gay rights. Many of the MP’s spoke with fire, brimstone and thunder against the issue. In all, they were saying it is not right with God and our culture. As I watched them, I was actually laughing and saying to myself, do these people know what is right? I do not judge their act but the question is why do they strain out an ant and swallow down the Carmel? [Words of Jesus Mat. 23: 24].

Many of our politicians come to Europe, America, China and other places. They enjoy the luxuries of first class hotels, first class roads, first class transport systems, first class banking system, etc. They really experience the beauty of “intellectual intelligence” in the so-called advanced countries. Most of them spent their educational pursuits in Europe and America. Why then, do they come back and build fifth class roads, fail to keep the country clean, fail to offer security to Ghanaians, fail to multiply industries, fail to change the status quo?

Since 1992 we have witnessed the many violence that associate itself with electoral proceedings, yet the security we offer is little. Until someone is killed, our conscience will not be aroused with danger. Is this love? Is this pure religion? If religion cannot make them whole, then what else; corruption?

In fact our politicians (not all though) are a bunch of sinners leading the entire nation into captivity. They spend money on their girlfriends, taking expensive vacations, wallowing in luxury, faking documentation, doing shoddy projects, stealing money into foreign accounts, taking bribes from investors, willful “collective robbery” for their parties, fighting themselves, neglect of duty, talking without implementation, etc. Anyone who knows our system very well will know that these are not mere accusations but sincere truth.

Mr. Politician please wake up, wake up, the day is broken up, the birds are already in the fields, time is tickling towards noon, wake up wake up Mr. Politician. There is no time, Ghana is hot but cold, darkness is shadowing the day, Night will soon fall, wake up Mr. Politician. Wake up Mr. Politician, the Master’s coming is near, He roars amid thunder and lightening, to give to every man according as his work shall be, wake up, wake up!

Clifford Owusu-Gyamfi

University of Lausanne, Switzerland