Church and social harmony

October 11, 2017 383 Views No Comment

A paper presentation by Rev Dr Wati Aier where he states that a society without Christian values soon deteriorates into authoritarianism. The state is magnified at the expense of the individual whenever and wherever the Gospel is socially rejected…

CHURCH AND SOCIAL HARMONY

(The Joint Christian Forum, Dimapur)

A Paper Presentation: Wati Aier

August 23, 2003

INTRODUCTION:

His Excellency, the Governor of Nagaland, Mr. Shyamal Datta, Mr. Chairman, the members of the Joint Christian Forum, Dimapur and ladies and gentlemen, I thank the organizers of this program for giving me this opportunity to present a paper on the topic assigned. I would like to put it that this will be simply a perspective from my side.

It is not an exaggeration to say that in some form or another that religion has always played a decisive part in the history of humanity. From the superstitions of our tribal beliefs, our fore parents have been inspired by their religion. In tribes, communities and in nations respectively it has been the greatest single cohesive force. The historian Butterfield goes so far as to claim that “religion is the cement” which holds human societies together. Religion has certainly proved to be a deciding factor in the formation of national characteristics. Since conduct and belief are alternate sides of the same coin, it is possible to trace the direct social consequences of each of the great religions on those nations where they predominate (Joachim Wach, Sociology of Religion, pp 272 ff)

The Church in History:

NO other religion has affected the world’s history as profoundly as the Christian Church as been able to do. Historian K.S Latourette puts it: “Christianity has become the most potent single force in the life of (humankind).” It is certainly the most all-embracing faith, for there is no field of human endeavor where it does claim pre eminence. From the Church many movements have come which have so deeply blessed humankind and inspired the struggle against slavery and war. By the values it proclaims, the Church cannot help having a wider social impact. Spencer in his The Social Function of the Church claims that Christianity is unique… in the importance it attaches to conduct. Faithfulness to the duty of loving our neighbor is made by Christ the touchstone of our faithfulness to God.” (p.38)

To deny and overlook the social content of Christianity is therefore to diminish its nobility. Christianity’s revolutionary teaching concerning man and woman and God is the most dynamic social gospel of all.

Strangely enough, some Christian people are among the most anxious to deny this close relation of Christianity with society. They are indifferent to social challenges of the world around them. Even to mention of social issues and Christianity in the same sentence offends their sense of what is proper. The “other worldly” theology provides them with the means of escaping the harsh social realities of this world. Unconsciously these people assist the enemies of the Church who seek to limit its scope and influence.

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