Misuse of religious images to advance political discourse
John Mbiti
philosophized that Africans are notoriously religious. Official statistics say
Kenya is 84% Christians, about 9% Muslim and the remainder are Hindu, Buddhist,
African Indigenous Religions, animists and atheists. As such, religion is a major socialization
factor in Kenya. Our social, economic and political lives are replete with influences from our
religious backgrounds. Yet, religion has
failed in socializing Kenyans with values of brotherhood, peace, love, and
unity.
In politics, Christian
religious overtones have been used to advance the political party's agenda. Since retired President Moi’s studious attempt
to cultivate an image of a God-fearing leader, Kenyan political activities have
employed the use of Christian songs and biblical narratives to persuade the
common folk.
President Moi’s
(retired) sunset years were punctuated by Christian songs turned political
protest chants. President Kibaki maintained a dignified aloofness giving the
impression of religion as irrational. His rival, Raila Odinga electrified the
masses using the narrative of Moses and the Promised Land to drive his second
liberation agenda.
In 2013, the UhuRuto
duo charmed Christians using prayer rallies as political campaign tools
creating an impression of divine approval. That image run through President
Uhuru Kenyatta’s first term as Christian leaders enthusiastically latched onto
this narrative. Political leaders have
become quasi-spiritual leaders firmly exploiting the bible as a Machiavellian
tool.
In 2017, Raila Odinga’s
political style upgraded his Mosaic narrative to Joshua and the conquest of
Canaan. He launched his presidential
campaign with a prayer at Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall and baptized himself Joshua.
As a liberator, Canaan was a powerful symbol for the 3rd liberation.
It was for the taking. That message sunk deep into the psyche of all Kenyans.
The conquest of Canaan narrative is now an idiom in Kenyan social life, from
serious boardroom talk, bar banter to social media memes. Its power to
galvanize his supporters has left a deep imprint and fired hope. His advisors
understood the African understanding that is shaped, socialized and educated
through stories and narratives. His rival duo was not asleep either. They
continued with the charm. The end result
is a political, religious and social divide that has deepened. Where religion had a unifying value, it is
now divisive. Both political formations now control their various Christian
factions. These opposing teams do not seem to have any theological advisors who
would have helped to present the religious angle realistically. Politicians now
recognize the propaganda value of the bible.
A whole generation is
emerging in Kenya for whom independence, post-independence, and second
liberation politics is historical stuff. These ‘liberation’ ideals don’t mean
anything in their new globalized, digital world. But strong, biblical
narratives are vehicles of conveying political ideas and ideology. In the next
general election, the first millennials will vote. Our geriatric leaders are
being disconnected from this new pool of voters. But use of religious propaganda is able to
make cross this divide.
It is true that social,
economic, political/ethnic divisions in Kenya have been growing. But the Church
was always a powerful and unifying factor in Kenya. Unfortunately, it has ceded it’s high moral
ground and is being co-opted into the partisan political mainstream. Christian
leaders have been foolishly caught up in a dazzling display of power and
influence and abandoned their social responsibility. As a result, though they plead for dialogue
in Kenya, they cannot bite the hand that fed them. They are partisan mediators. They are not a third force that can check the
polarized politics in Kenya.
The English have a
saying; when you send out your chickens in the morning, they will come home to
roost. The evening of Kenyan socio-political, religious society is fast
approaching.
Hello Mfalme Mwema, I am of different view with your discourse about the ‘misuse’ of religion. In my opinion Kenyan leaders do not misuse religious images to advance political discourse, on the contrary they actually use religious images to their advantage.
ReplyDeleteOf course, John Mbiti was right with his philosophy that Africans are notoriously religious, but that had no reference to Christianity. Today when we talk about religion particularly in Kenya we are basically talking about Christianity.
But we both know that Christianity and the gun were the tools colonialists used to conquer and occupy Africa. The weakness in our notoriety in religious beliefs was used to the advantage of the colonialist, the same notoriety or ignorance is being used today by our leaders (including church leaders).
Take for example Muslims, them too can be described as notoriously religious, but why has the western world failed to colonise them despite using sophisticated weapons and Christianity? Look at Afghanistan, America’s twenty years occupation and attempts to impose their religion and lifestyle did not succeed, the moment they left Taliban was back in full power and proclaimed their authority and the Islamic law. If America’s invasion was in an African country, right now everything in that country would be American. Aren’t we learning Chinese now just because they are building our roads and railway lines? We’ll soon adopt their religion too.
So, when we talk about Africans being notoriously religious, what religion are we referring to?
You stated religion has failed in socializing Kenyans with values of brotherhood, peace, love, and unity. But what religion are you referring to? If it’s Christianity then we all know Christianity has never been a unifying religion in the first place. The Old Testament is full of land grabbing, deception, extra marital affairs, yet all those mentioned are regarded as religious patriarchs, e.g. Abraham, Jacob, King David, his son Solomon, etc.
You also state “Where religion had a unifying value, it is now divisive”. Which religion are you referring to?. We all know the same missionaries were the ones involved in slave trade, land grabbing and looting our resources.
In my opinion, the moment Africa lost its identity and its religion, that’s when it became a slave to itself and to anyone else who wishes to enslave them.
The loss of identity here I mean, losing our religion, our language, our culture, our values. Just look worldwide and you will tell me whether it's not just in Africa where the majority have adopted foreign language, worship foreign gods and have adopted foreign culture.
Basically, our leaders are simply no better than the missionaries and the colonialists. They will use religion and guns to control and dominate the masses.
So, going back to your title "our leaders are actually 'Using' religious images to advance political discourse”
Hello. Thank you for your reply. First, John Mbiti was a Christian theologian. He translated the New Testament into kamba, believing the original translation by missionaries was deficient in capturing Akamba philosophy. His book was written for christians to understand African Traditional Religions. The objective was to make Christianity more relevant on our cultural contexts. I do agree that when we talk about religions, the reference is Christianity. This is completely erroneous. Religion is simply a system of belief whether traditional, Christianity, Islam, Hindu, et al. It's a narrative created by African cultural commentators who have limited understanding of religion. They just seek to Crete disciples for themselves, having little understanding of Christianity and worse, traditional religions. Concerning the Bible and it's 'land grabbing, adultery, polygamy ', that's precisely the point. It never hides by Humana failings but goes on to offer solutions. The problem is when we interpret it with certain agenda instead of letting it speak for itself. Concerning the example of Islam, note that Muslims defend their beliefs and ring fence it against liberalism. Liberal beliefs are the greatest enemy of any society, and they will affect traditional African cultures.
DeleteFinally, all cultures influence each other. That's how they improve one another.
Concerning my opinions on political misuse, I see you have agreed with my point. They use it to their own advantage, which was my point. The goal of the Bible is the growth of a mature, well rounded person who is a boon to his faith and society. Politicians will use it to get something out of it, just like some prosperity preachers who make money and offer prayers only.
Peace always.