Religion is a social construct whose tenets are peace, love and unity. That, in religion we find solace, calm and companionship as we juggle between the grueling duels that come our way. Well, that assertion cannot be refuted but we cannot overlook it's glaring parodixal role in shaping the heart-piercing events both at home and at a global scale.
Indeed religion is one major instruments of multi-dimensonal growth but it's equally the source of some of the world's major upheavals. Take for instance the Israel - Palestinian war. The raging annihilation was borne out, has been sustained and possibility of stop to it remains a pipedream all because of religious differences which can never be reconciled if religious indoctrination and radicalisation still supersedes logic and reason.
Coming closer to home the storyline has remained the same only at different perspective. While, religion has never shoved us into a humanatarian crisis as in other territories, we haven't been spared as some of the notable socioeconomic adversities have been occasioned by our zest to cling to religious mantra or their misconstruction thereof.
The current administration rose to the top of the country's leadership hierarchy thanks to its shrewd capitalization of religion as a political tool . In a country where religious alignments are firmly ingrained in its citizenry, employing the religious card to woo the electorate is one to go for strategy as it may face little or no opposition. Those who opine contradictively as far as 'religious teachings' are concerned are seen as agents of doom in some extreme instances they are labeled 'demonic.'
On the campaign trail, the Kenya Kwanza brigade led by the incumbent President Ruto often quoted the scriptures and more so at alters to woo support, a ploy that never disappointed. In fact at some point, the political duel between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza was reduced to battle pitting believers against non-believers, the religious vs atheists.
After the triumphant ascension to the office, the jubilant Kenya Kwanza supporters cited the superiority of prayers over whatever they up against. They thronged the streets with 'Si Uchawi, Ni Maombi' anthem that even the deaf could hear. The 2022 presidential elections were dubbed a battle between the 'establishment' (deep state) ;boasting of state machinery and 'hustlers' who only depended on 'prayers' and 'God's will.' Well God's will prevailed and here we are...
Ever since the christened administration took the oath of office, the experience has been nothing but incomprehensibly harrowing. You would imagine that in light of the glaring contrast between expectations and reality, the alarm bell of reason will ring but no...the blame has shifted to previous regime and a new religious phrase 'Mungu anawaona' was morphed to cover the folly. Which Mungu?! If we are still taking the religious route, God comes to the rescues of of those who take responsibility. But again, the religious brainwashing coupled with gullibility cannot allow that reasoning to see the light of the day.
Any aspect or conversation that has a religious element in it, is beyond reproach and any negative critiquing is regarded as fighting the Almighty. Unfortunately, Morality is embedded in religion in that you cannot claim to be upright while critising religion no matter how warranted it is.
As long as the yardstick of what is right or wrong has an exclusive religious foundation instead of logic, we'll continue the bear the brunt of our own actions.
Comments