WHEN I hear and see Dr Sentamu, Pius Ncube and Desmond Tutu among other notable “man of the cloth” advocating military intervention in Zimbabwe, I ask myself whether Christianity itself is evil or it is being abused by few attention-seeking individuals to further some evil causes.
I was born and bred in a very Christian family – so much so that my parents’ had to abandon their first choice for my name which was a Shona name in favour of “Christian name”.
My mother had wanted to call me Chenai, but the then Anglican priest at our local parish would not accept the name as it did not sound Christian for me to be baptized.My father, being a great fan of Frank Sinatra then, opted for Nancy (Sinatra’s wife), and the baptism was conferred. I still haven’t found any relationship between the name Nancy and some notable characters in the bible – all I have proved beyond doubt is that the name sound very English.
My up-bringing was very much influenced by Christianity – at least from what I used to believe were Christian values. As a little girl I was a member of the Brownies and I used to love my little brown uniform with a yellow sash across. Later I graduated to the Girl Guides membership.
All the while all our teachings were about loving one another, helping those who were less fortunate in society, respecting our parents, our eldersetc. I can even still sing the Brownie motto today:
I promise that I will do my best
To serve my duty to God
To serve my country and other people
And to keep the Brownie law
Yet today, my very faith is being challenged by those who supposedly represent Christianity. Where is Dr Sentamu’s love for Zimbabweans when he advocates mass bombs to be dropped on the streets of Zimbabwe? Bombs are designed to cause mass murder, yet a representative of a church I grew up believing to represent love and peace sanctions such actions.
Pius Ncube, apart from committing adultery whilst at the helm of the highest office of the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe, has never regretted his call for military intervention in Zimbabwe; he has asked the South African government several times to cut-off electricity supplies to Zimbabwe. He doesn’t care about how such actions will inevitably speed up the death of someone who might have lived a bit longer.
Sanctions - in whatever form they are packaged in - are designed to cause mass pain, and ultimately death. Desmond Tutu has not been left behind in the race.
What I cannot understand from these men of cloth is – if they are for peace and love, why do they not come together and travel to Zimbabwe and meet the political leadership there?
Why are they not taking this initiative to act as mediators between Zimbabwe and UK given their views are highly respected in the western countries?Why are they instead choosing to sanction mass murders- something contrary to Christian teachings?
I have asked so many questions lately with regards to Christianity and events happening in Zimbabwe without getting any answers. I still have many such questions. Who appoints the top leadership of churches in Zimbabwe and Africa in general especially with regards to traditional churches, and what criteria are used. Is it someone’s faith in Christian values or political inclination?
Yet it is not just these men I have mentioned who have challenged my faith.
I once attended a Shona catholic service in UK and the priest was constantly referring to the “brutality of the Zimbabwean government” at every given opportunity. He even went to state that finally the Catholic Church had “eventually found a way of ex-communicating Mugabe, basically he ex-communicated himself”, to use his own words.
Not that it would bother me if such an event had indeed happened; if laws are broken in any organisation then we all expect to be punished.
My concern was whether this was meant to be a normal church service or a political rally. I didn’t expect that kind of language from a church priest. I was expecting some kind of solace, respite from the intoxicating politics of Zimbabwe and here unexpectedly I was being lectured about the same politics.
Is there something wrong with today’s Christianity or is it a case of abuse of office?Should churches be involved in politics and if so, which role should the church play? I would have thought churches are supposed to be conciliatory, act as bridges between warring factions but never expect the churches or those who lead them to fan wars. Perhaps I’m the one who is ignorant.
Whilst I’m locked in this self-imposed battle, I’m struggling to keep my old Christian faith,that which taught me to respectmy all my elders, more so those who are suppose to represent Christian values.Meanwhile I get inspired by characters like Bishop T.D. Jakes and refuse to recognize the above men of cloth as representatives of Christianity, but as politicians camouflaged in the philanthropic world to cheat their way into high political offices.
Nancy Nyamhunga Leicester, United Kingdom
ADVERTISEMENT
ARTICLE ATTACHMENTS
READER OPINIONS
JUNGLE JANE • na. Subject: MAMOYO Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:42:39 • almost all the blacks i know have 1 African name and 1 English name which tends to confuse me at times, so I was going on this surmise: why shouldnt white Zimbabweans also have both also?
am sorry you had to change your name during Gukuruhundi. you see this is another facet about our country that few know about. such heartache and inconvenience and i am sorry you had to endure that era in our country along with thousands of others.
i myself gave up church because of what the so-called Christians were doing in my name, and like you my belief is between me and my creator which doesnt go down well in some circles i move.
obviously what i know about names is nothing and i apologise for assuming that it would even make others proud to have an identity to the country they happened to be born in through absolutely no fault of their own and never want to leave. forgive me. I am sorry for upsetting you over this issue. its the same as black kids born in UK and given both a black name and a white name and who minds? absolutely no one.
Mamoyo • na Subject: Jungle Jane Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:41:41 • I agree with you Nancy but what you need to realize is that religion is what you make it , not what someone tells you it is.I have come to point where I dont go to church because I feel that my realtionship with my creator is between me and the creator , no one else. Churches seem to be in this mode of meddling in affairs that have nothing to do with them , the priests and church leadership are of questionable character so I just avoid all the drama and maintin my personal realtionship with GOD. I even question religion itself because it has been used to colonize and enslave(black) people.We all know the role religion played in colonizing Zimbabwe , how then can religion be free of bias now at this time with all thats happening in Zimbabwe. Jungle Jane , your sentiments anger me as much as they disappoint me . what do you know about names in Zimbabwe. I believe names should have meaning, regardless of origion , but your idea is crazy . One black and one white name to show where we come from , excuse me but the last time I checked , the country is called Zimabwbe not some crazy white name so plase , dont forget that . apply that rule in your house, white names have nothing to do with Zimbwean origion.Go back and read Zimabwean history , Kaguvi , Nehanada , Munhumutapa, Lobengula .Those are the names I see in history , the only time I have seen the white man's name is when they came to colonize and kill. Period. my name reflects on my culture and my childrens names have cultural meaning too. I am a product of a Ndebele father and Shona mother . our last name had to be changed to a more nuetral last name during the Gukurahundi era in Zimbabwe to avoid persecution for being Ndebele. so tell me Jungle Jane , what do you know about names?
JUNGLE JANE • na.@zol.co.zw Subject: WOTS IN A NAME? Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:20:50 • I have crazy white friends who each called their kids strange names: (1) daughter CHESSA (fish in ZAMEZI) and (2) son MOPANI after the tree.
when i wanted to give my own son the second name of Tsoka everyone was agenist. he born under Chinese sign of Monkey. I think everyone born in ZW should have 1 white name and 1 black name by law as pure indication of our being born here.
N/A • N/A Subject: Nancy Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:20:16 • So you are a Christian and a believer? All your other articles point to the contrary. If I am not wrong, you support individuals who kill and torture to stay in office. Is this consistent with christian values?
n/a • n/a Subject: hope you don't take offense Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:44:51 • Nancy, I'm going to tell you something...The minute the Black world get the minds and spirits of our women back, is the time when we--all over the world began to take a rightful place as equal citizens in this universe.
A black woman writing/talking like you terrorizes white supremacy which is why they try so hard to lure Black women with materialism while at the same time depriving black men of the ability to be able to provide the things that the women begin to want.
I will tell you though, the Being they call Jesus loved the poor, he fought for them and he was at war with the rich and the powers of this world.
Those men of cloth you speak of are haters of Christ. They are anti-christ because they serve the world powers to help them in their ceaseless war against the rights of the poor.
SUBMITYOUROPINION
Please make sure you fill in all sections for your post to be submitted. Use n/a if not submitting details. The submission code below is case-sensitive. Also make sure you get confirmation that your comment has been submitted.
