Nagaland Joint Christian Forum
Kohima
Of late Nagaland has been facing issues that are frightening and disgusting. The decaying aspect of morality and sexual sin in the church and society is becoming more and more. The abuse of power and fearless corruption is becoming a daily practice. The church and the society seem to be becoming less concerned and immune to what is happening without seriously addressing the issues.
Yes, voices are raised, agitations and protests take place, but only when faced with such incidents. It dies down because we do not hit the iron while it is hot! Except for noises heard and press statements made, nothing is heard, ever after again. And the victims walk free, set free by the silence of the society where law and punishment are at the mercy and negotiating power of the community.
The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum is deeply pained and concerned about the recent happenings in our land. At the core of the matter, it challenges the very essence of the church, the so-called Christian majority. It is time for the church to draw the line and not only condemn such issues but make her stand clear to the public. We cannot allow our morality to sink deeper and Christ's name be put to shame time and again.
The NJCF categorically condemns the rape of a minor and a grandmother by people in leadership positions and by the so-called law enforcing personnel. What is more disheartening is the fact that sexual abuse is and has been surfacing time and again within the church. The recent revelation of a church youth pastor has once again reminded us of the devilish act happening within the church. The church is slowly losing her moral authority. It has once again reminded us of the almost forgotten abuses within the church.
These happenings call the church to take things seriously. We must do so by coming out strong on our biblical mandate to be shepherds of the flock and take our calling seriously. Church discipline has to be once again restored and instituted. Lest we become a mockery to the people we serve in the name of Christ. Biblical Christianity has to be reinstated and cultural Christianity must be put to death.
The church is not a popularity contest stage where style and fashion are displayed. Church is a stage where love is taught, where grace is dispensed, but not at the expense of losing its integrity before the watching world. Discipline has to be exercised with love and grace. But this does not mean that the church has to make grace, love and forgiveness cheap commodities. Love must be tough, so also grace and forgiveness.
The NJCF appeals to the church to come out openly to condemn such acts and make a public statement by giving a public declaration that such persons are removed from the register of the church and allow the law to take its own course of action. What we call “excommunication” must follow so that the person genuinely seeks repentance and forgiveness from God and the people he has wronged. The church should not shy away from doing this! We must teach and preach against such sins.
The church should not be ambiguous on rape and sexual abuse. NJCF openly declares that it prioritizes dispensation of justice over institutional reputation. Biblical repentance must take place internally and not through societal pressure to save one's reputation.
To the society, the community should not shy away from making its statement loud and clear and not be influenced by any politicking to protect the community. Many times, the community remains silent when faced with such issues. It gives the impression that protecting oneself is more important than coming out publicly. It must deal with the problem with the highest dignity and moral standard. We must set an exemplary statement when such things happen in our community. Forgiveness should not be made a cheap commodity in our society.
To the law enforcing authority, you have the executive power to deal with the social issues we are facing regardless of status, race and group. You must allow the law to take its own course of action without fear, influence and compromise. Our society will become better when exemplary course of action is displayed with precision. We are living in a society where everything is settled amicably without any consequences. Forgive and settlement without the culprit bearing the consequences of the crime has become the norms of the society. The cheap phrase of negotiation and compromise are also responsible for a society turning into what it has now become. The face saving things should stop!
It is time to reinstate tough disciplines in the church. We must address rape and domestic violence that has shown its unholy face time and again with all sincerity.
The church must prioritize victim's safety and legal accountability over institutional reputation or superficial, face saving reconciliation. From experience, churches have failed survivors by misapplying theological concepts like submission or forgiveness to cover up crimes. This has made people take discipline very leisurely and lightly. As society works on face saving, the church is losing her dignity and integrity. We must move forward with tough love where the church treats both sexual assault and domestic abuse as severe sins and criminal matters requiring immediate intervention.
The church must become a safe place for the victims of rape abuse but not the perpetrators. We must explicitly condemn domestic abuse and rape during sermons. Explicitly naming these issues lets hidden victims know the church is a safe place to seek help. Actively teach against the misuse of scripture. We must watch out for misuse of authority and position. The church must guard against toxic theology and leadership. We must labor together to once again establish trust and confidence in our leadership by staying true to the biblical mandate.
The church must teach its members that forgiveness does not mean one has to be set free of the legal consequences. If the abuser claims to repent, the church must insist they submit to the legal consequences of their actions. This is tough love and it is necessary lest we become a lawless society filled with meaningless forgiveness.
As we condemn the recent happenings in our society, we call upon the church to come together to navigate our biblical stand and develop our theology on issues confronting us. One church, one denomination/group cannot do it alone. It is now time that the church of Christ come together and grapple with the issues so that our society will once again regain its trust on the church as the body of Christ.
NJCF would like to also highlight some of the issues which we will be facing over and over, year after year, lest we state our position clear on those issues. Recently, the churches have come strong on Yoga day which was scheduled on Sunday. Our opposition has been clearly stated well enough by those who came out against the observation of the “International Day of Yoga.” First, it was placed on Sunday, a day that is set aside for worship. This is not the first time occasions were put on Sundays.
This indicates the designs are deliberate. We have seen this motive in the ways they have disregarded people of other faith. They do not honor the religious liberty and cultural identity of the minority. Christians in the mainland have suffered discriminations and abuses from groups that propagate one nation, one religion and one culture. We have had enough of the superiority attitude of particular religious groups trying to propagate their philosophy and religion by way of promoting Yoga on the international platform.
We must watch out for this dirty politics to destabilize the community and more importantly to disregard our religious faith. It is disheartening to listen to the statement of some of our leaders who try to defend yoga as a mere exercise. Pity on such mindset because they speak against the will of the people.
NJCF will state its position clear that, not to speak of practicing Hindu exercise, we will not allow our children to be diluted with such ideological exercise where the mind is turned to a meditation other than God Almighty. We cannot chant, we cannot meditate to dilute our mind with something that is alien to our faith. Their exercise or so-called PT masters are all gurus of a particular religion and for Christians we cannot consider that as an exercise. It is purely a religious meditation. So it is not only a matter of being placed on Sunday, but in the manner it is carried out!
We must watch out for elements that are being used to disturb our sacred days such as Resurrection Day and Christmas Day as well. We cannot impose upon people who are not within our faith circle, but we should not subjugate ourselves to their designs. On Good Governance Day we will fearfully and quietly worship God and celebrate the day with a humble heart. We will hope that the people will learn to be sensitive and honor the sacred days of other religious groups and this includes Christian as well. That they will learn to respect that what is insignificant for someone is significant to others when it comes to religious expression.
The NJCF calls upon the church in Nagaland to stand strong and guard our faith and live respecting each other and honor God. Let us come together and reason together so that we can address issues that we are facing and confronting today. We admonish our leaders to stand strong and not to submit to others on issues which will confuse and divide our people. It is more important to maintain our unity, our cultural distinctiveness and our faith identity than to submit to ideology of others who have no respect for minorities.
Rev Dr N Paphino
President NJCF
Rev Moses Murry
Secretary NJCF
