Divine approach to transform political arena

THE EDITOR, Madam:

WITH THE recent emergence of the Jamaica Progressive Party (JPP), a faith-based political movement, I, like many other Jamaicans, have been prompted to re-evaluate the role of religion in constitutional affairs. The dynamic between religion and politics remains a critical theme in political philosophy, despite the nascent consensus on the right to freedom of thought and on the need for some ‘separation between church and state’; a philosophic and jurisprudential phrase that has become widely misconstrued from its initial intent. The formation of the JPP is indicative of a paradigm shift in our ideology towards a new, divine approach to transforming politics.

There are many elements of religion that inform government practices today, but the one I’ll focus on in this article is the belief that celestial beings and forces are relevant to the meaning and practice of politics now and throughout history. These beings are usually understood as an allknowing God or gods, sometimes as ethereal and symbolic figures from our primordial past and other times as impersonal forces beyond the physical realm.

RELIGIOUS EFFECTS

Different religious beliefs understand the effect of religion on politics in different ways. Traditions that we might term ‘fundamental’ suggest that politics is a method of organising society according to divine directives.

Inversely, traditions that embrace a contextual approach espouse a notion that politics is a matter of influencing humanity according to holy principles, but as part of a wider tapestry of influences.

All in all, what is certain is religion and politics, like ink on paper, are inseparable. The word translated as ‘church’ in the New Testament of the Bible, ekklesia, means ‘political assembly’ in Hebrew. Jamaica’s national anthem begins with words ‘Eternal Father’ and our National Pledge, ‘Before God’. Never before has it been so important for politicians to develop a nuanced appreciation for religious principles and inclinations. Religion is not merely a quaint feature of human existence, but a complex system that holds the key to utterly understanding politics and its prolific history.