The world of Theopolitics

The term ‘Theopolitics’ implies that theology and politics are closely intertwined, in contrast to the legal and political doctrine that promotes ‘Separation of the Church and State’. Theopolitics could at best be viewed as a continuum or a spectrum that upholds an exclusionary value system at one end, and strives to be very inclusive at the other. If one clubs together historical Jesus and MK Gandhi on one end (say the left end) of this continuum, the other end would most likely see the Popes, Ayatollahs and heads of other organized religions (past, present and future). The difference between these two extreme ends is obvious, in the sense that whilst the left-end represents the use of theology to provide justice to the victimized and marginalized, the right-end is all about the use of theology by various religious heads for consolidation and perpetuation of their own power base.

MK Gandhi known for his nation-wide campaign to ease poverty, expand women's rights, end untouchability, et al., affirms in the conclusion of his autobiography:

My uniform experience has convinced me that there is no other God than Truth… my devotion to Truth has drawn me into the field of politics; and I can say without
the slightest hesitation, and yet in all humility, that those who say that
religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means.

Raja Rammohan Roy a great admirer of Jesus (like MK Gandhi) once said:

The consequences of my long and uninterrupted researches into religious truth
has been that I have found the doctrine of Christ more conducive to moral
principles, and better adapted for the use of rational beings, than any other
which have come to my knowledge.

Liberation theologians believe that the conservative doctrine of God tends to manipulate God in favor of the capitalistic social structure. The conservative notion of God is that of a static being who is distant and remote from human history: a God who is "up there" or "out there." According to Gustavo Gutierrez, a leading proponent of Liberation Theology, God is found in the course of human history. God is not a perfect, immutable entity, "squatting outside the world." God is the driving force of history causing the Christian to experience transcendence as a "permanent cultural revolution". This form of theology has a strong following in Latin America. A Keralite Jesuit Sebastian Kappen is one notable liberation theologian who authored, “Jesus and Freedom” in late 1970s. The present Pope has been the strongest critic of this theology and has been instrumental in silencing scores of the Liberation theologians.

The proponents of liberation theology, Gandhi and Raja Rammohan Roy are inspired by the “historical” Jesus viewed as a revolutionary and liberator of the marginalized and exploited, who inspires us to be rational and just. They are least concerned with the "divinity" aspect of Jesus’ personhood: that he was the Son of God, born of Virgin Mary, resurrected from the dead, so on and so forth.

On the right-end of this continuum of Theopolitics, is the struggle against modernity by fundamentalists (including biblical literalists) with their exclusionary doctrine. They have simply appropriated the scriptures by reading them as injunctions for the destruction of their political enemies. Catholic Church and the evangelicals who previously fought the cold war against atheistic Communists have turned their wrath on "godless" Democrats, feminists, humanists, and New Age religions (Gnostics in the past and environmentalists in the present). Divisions between and within religious sects often centre on issues of sexuality and gender roles.

This being the season of Advent, it would be a fitting tribute to our great teacher (the historical Jesus) to take a critical look at some of the positions taken by his Church, in relation to the marginalised groups like women and gays. Some examples of the bizarre positions taken by the Catholic Church and others include arguments against women's access to information (sex education) and reproductive control under the pretense of "protecting" females. Tele-evangelist Rev. Jimmy Swaggart declared, "Sex education classes in our public schools are promoting incest”. The present Pope has even suggested that birth control "causes promiscuity" (like umbrellas cause rain!). Are you aware of the fact that Vatican enthusiastically endorsed Viagra for men yet vigorously opposes contraceptives for women??!!

The commonality between Jesus, Gandhi and Raja Rammohan Roy is their core spirituality and their rejection of the oppressive practices promoted by their religious fanatics and clerics. We often confuse between spirituality and religiosity. The clergy and the bigots systematically exploit this confusion to perpetuate their control over our minds. It is said that whilst twentieth century was about the mankind exploring outer-space, the twenty-first century will see mankind exploring his inner-space, i.e., finding the truth or God within oneself. It therefore helps to reflect upon the fine distinction between external, religion-based beliefs (best epitomized by Catholicism) and internally focused, spiritual awareness (that Buddha, Jesus and Gandhi have likely experienced).

Whilst religion teaches its followers what to think, spirituality encourages people to learn how to think. Religion asks people to trust someone else, and, spirituality invites all to trust themselves. Religions are led by other people’s ideas, but spirituality is led on guidance from within. Religion teaches believers never to question authority, whereas spirituality teaches people to question everything. Religion most often tends to be mindless. It teaches people to follow the rules and rituals and never ask why. On the other hand, spirituality combines head and heart to form a conscious connection to the source of all that is. Most importantly, religions teach their followers that they can connect to God only by joining the church and by following the rules that are defined and laid down by the church elders. Spirituality on the other hand, acknowledges that every human being has his or her own direct connection to God by way of the ‘true self’ within (See Matthew 6:5-6 and Luke 17:21). Religion teaches its followers that personal behavior is dictated by church rules, whereas spirituality teaches that personal behavior is a function of knowing in one's own heart what’s right and wrong and then following that inner guidance. Last but least, religion is afraid of challenges that threaten its existence, but spirituality welcomes challenges as food for growth and as tools with which to become stronger.

Lastly, a quick introspection: Where does the Knanaya leadership (with its inalienable Christian roots) place itself in this so-called spectrum of Theopolitics? Being placed on the left-end in the company of historical Jesus and Gandhi calls for a healthy dose of humility, humanness and courage. Are we taking small steps in that direction, or, are we several light years away…??!!