Politics has over time been defined as per the orientation of a particular person, the general standpoint in contemporary times is; a phenomenon with something to do with governance and leadership of the masses.<\/p>\n
However, relative to the topic as stated above two definitions stand as relevant in the general scheme of events. As per the dominant political system operated in the world and Ghana for that matter (democracy), \u201ca game of numbers\u201d is no stranger in the definition of politics.<\/p>\n
With respect to religion, philosopher Karl Marx defined it as being \u201cthe opium of the masses,\u201d without probing into his postulation; we might safely conclude that Marx was cognizant of the fact that religion was another social facet that people associated with.<\/p>\n
To this end, both definitions \u2013 admittedly for purposes of this piece \u2013 converge on the consensus that a basic similarity between politics and religion is the fact that both phenomena need people to operate.<\/p>\n
In the very religiously cosmopolitan society that we live in, there is no doubt that Ghana is a typically secular community; a slice through the religious strata would reveal dominant religions as Islam, Christianity and the long standing African Traditional religion.<\/p>\n
Both concepts (religion\/ politics) involve the interpretation of laws; whereas religion via the Imam, Pastor, and traditional priests transmit laws to do with divinity; politicians however deal with making laws for the people over whom they superintend.<\/p>\n
Religion is perhaps the biggest member of civil society and has over the years had representations on state commissions and boards; the Peace Council, the National Reconciliation Commission, the National Youth Council and the National Media Commission just to mention a few.<\/p>\n
More often than not, whenever society is faced especially by some morally degrading occurrences, religious leaders have been the first point of call \u2013 say in the case of same sex marriages and lately the involvement of the youth in videoed sexual bouts.<\/p>\n
During election 2008 for instance, the clergy were called upon time without number to call to order politicians whose statement were seen as inimical to social cohesion and overly inflammatory as to erode the peace that the country was enjoying.<\/p>\n
Politicians have also left the clergy with no option than to speak on what clearly are \u2018effusions\u2019 that do not auger well for social bonding, \u201cThere are many ways of killing a cat,\u201d (as postulated by National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Kwabena Adjei)<\/p>\n
How can anyone forget, \u201cAll die be die,\u201d as part of supposed exhortations by flag bearer of the largest opposition New Patriotic Party\u2019s (NPP) presidential aspirant, Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo to party faithful to resist intimidation?<\/p>\n
Whiles all of this transpires, note must however be taken of how religion has always being at the centre of state functions, with Muslim and Christian prayers being offered at most state functions save for the neglect of traditional rites and the attendant debate it has sparked some months back.<\/p>\n
Politicians take to the platforms and make all manner of statements, true or otherwise, reconciliatory and divisive, plain and muddled; all for the simple reason of rallying people around their bid to become leaders for the simple reason that; political power rested in the bosom of the masses.<\/p>\n
A clear danger however is the all too obvious fact that religious congregations (be it in the mosque or church) are as cosmopolitan as are the general Ghanaian society and for which reason the religious leader must stay clear of open campaigning.<\/p>\n
An Anglican Priest became the center of political vitriolic and aspersion in the wake of pronouncements perceived as being tainted by political colours. So bad and scathing was the attack that it raised questions about what good if any there was in the clergy wading into partisan party politics.<\/p>\n
Then at other times, a section of the populace via the help of the media; for reasons best known to them set out to link members of the clergy politically; failure of clear the air on the allegation invariably lending credence to it.<\/p>\n
The leader of Ghanaian Muslims, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, has had reason to clear up such perception in a Ghanaian Times Newspaper publication in the middle page of the Wednesday February 23, 2011 edition titled \u201cI am not a politician, says Chief Imam.\u201d<\/p>\n
The learned sheikh amongst other things stated thus; \u201cI am neither a politician nor a public figure sponsored by any political party in Ghana or elsewhere, I am a religious leader whose primary role is the promotion of Islam as well as the development and welfare of Muslims and Ghanaians at large.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chief Imam by the particular publication was putting across an obvious fact, which is that the clergy must rise over and above partisan politics as a member or the other within any congregation is likely to belong to one party or the other.<\/p>\n
Indeed there are the group of people who might be under the \u2018floating voters\u2019 banner but who are very particular about their spiritual leaders making political overtures in the course of their discharge of the gospel whenever they ascend the pulpit.<\/p>\n
I guess I need not remind us of calls by politicians on Civil Society, especially on the clergy to unreservedly condemn political pronouncements seen as inimical to the stability of the country.<\/p>\n
The BARE TRUTH the clergy must know and appreciate (that is if they already do not know) is; statements on party political pronouncement must as much as possible be measured and if possible issued as a group, (by which implication several perspectives would have been explored en route to arriving at a particular stance).<\/p>\n
The clergy stands by far as the single most respected member of civil society whose effect on the larger masses of Ghanaians (one or the other of whom belongs to a religious entity) extends to the very heart of obeisance of divine and social standards.<\/p>\n
My very small socio political appeal to the clergy is a SUSTAINED CRUSADE against the scourge of homosexuality and lesbianism and more importantly the very crude, unwarranted pornographic display in the media as currently pertains.<\/p>\n
Whether the voice from the pulpit is a shout of Hallelujah; a divine glorification of Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest) or a call unto the forefathers as priest\/priestesses scream, party politics could be a slippery ground for which reason I guess religious politics must stand firm and be as circumspect as possible; can I hear somebody yell Aaaaamen!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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