Again female genital mutilation (FGM) ceremony has been conducted successfully without any leader, or so called NGOs raising a voice. The Saturday Vision, 6th November, 2010, reported that 200 girls have been lined up in the districts of Bukwo and Kapchorwa for circumcision come, December 2010.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a shame on ‘the pearl of Africa` in the contemporary times! .This practice involves the removal of all or part of the female genetalia. The remaining flesh (outer lips) may then be stitched together in a procedure known as infibulations.
And small hole that allows menstruation and urination remains after infibulations, both intercourse and child birth will cause pain and young girls that undergo mutilation will never gain pleasure from sex. Others die in the process!
The penalty for a person caught practicing Female Genital Mutilation is 10 years sentence in jail and one that causes death of the young girl in same act faces life sentence. Traditional culture is not a substitute of human rights, it is the cultural context in which human rights must be established, integrated, promoted and protected.
Human rights must be approached in a way that is meaningful and relevant in the cultural context that ultimately yields lasting peace among the people. FGM is typical cultural violence, demeans society members, and causes stigma and discrimination all that breeds conflict and eventually wars.
It is upon the state by any means to directly intervene, not just to cause impressions by passing bills and watch as nationals continue to be agonised each other in the name of culture. According to the Bible, the disciples sailing on stormy water mass could not hold, they woke up Jesus and he calmed the storm (Mk 4:39)!
Where are the religious leaders? What about the civil society? Please call at a loud voice and have Uganda`s future leaders get saved from permanent shame and damage. The actors should know that peace does come from violent culture but from the hearts of the people ready to cause peaceful decisions to change society. To all Ugandans, it remains rather a contention of naivety to boast of peace in Uganda amidst such gross violation of human rights.
Last Saturday in a new vision report by Womakuyu Fredrick (December 4th, 2010 P.3), it was reportedly a fulfillment of that promise the elders made to the whole world that they would circumcise 200 girls; 120 girls were circumcised, and only 80 of the planned figure escaped. It is a pity, more so that a big chunk of today’s leadership is pursuing rounds of terms of service to keep culturally enslaved Ugandans in a life-threatening practice (FGM).
Unfortunately, most Ugandans never care –so long as it is other individuals affected. In a peace session of 30 participants discussing peace and in particular FGM, only two said the practice is an acceptable; the rest simply condoned it saying it was a cultural right.
Even when one of the two participants –who expressed bitterness about FGM put it clearly to the best education of participants that FGM was as bad as cutting off the whole penis of a man, they were, still, not moved.
The same happened for a long time regarding Karamoja –when most people justified their way of life –probably as a source of national income –through tourism. It is a struggle, which either caring Sabiny people, if there is any, the media, or international community must commit themselves to and help arrest the situation.
Otherwise, Uganda’s unrepresentative government, nursing only their prolonged stay in power and economic greed, very unreliable yet determined to keep the status quo cannot be entrusted anymore with lives of Ugandans –as was evidenced by events that have happened over a period of five to ten years.
The Incidents like the cult mass murders in Kanungu in 2000 –in which over 1,000 members of the movement for the restoration of the ten commandments ignorantly, without prevention mechanism in place of any kind by the state lost their lives; the September 11th, 2009 riots in which 30 unarmed civilians were massacred by security agencies; and the July 11th, 2010 terror attacks –in which over 76 Ugandans were killed. And in all such violence, government either did not warn the population or received outcomes as breaking news.
The same report by Womakuyu indicated that the UN Fund for population Activities allocated around $300,000 for FGM activities, but, until now, there is nothing on the ground to report about. So we observe a marriage of harmful corruption and harmful culture giving rise to traumatic conditions, and throughout the years until now a nation with no value for life, or rather too cheap to feel the losses and destructions it.
Even the patriotic program being fronted by the leadership is only aimed at dividing Ugandans further only to add on the lasting effects of individual merit politics once concretized by the same regime. Now people have been blinded-folded by ‘another rap’ more new promises without questioning those whose dates to materialize are as Christianizing as the coming of Christ promise.
Now if the leadership fails to show concern about life threatening scenarios like child sacrifice, jiggers, corruption in the health sector, rampant robberies and simple murders in the outskirts of the city; and Ugandans too fail, who shall be take the responsibility to intervene and stop the nonsense? Do not get surprised when the jigger-affected people –who have won international sympathy accept status quo by electing the same leadership to keep around national problems by 99% vote.
But responsibility begins with the individual, but the Saturday Vision report by Womakuyu showed that even FGM candidates can be ‘irresponsible’ by giving in the risky practice. For example, Alice Chemutai –who gave in to FGM, and after it she said, “I am happy I have become a woman by being circumcised. I will be able to do what other cut women do. I will now be able to climb into the granary or milk cows, which I was not allowed to do till now” is a good case.
When the cost-benefit analysis is brought into play to compare such a statement and the life-long impairment of the reproductive system, the cost beats any such culturally-assumed benefits. These are the issues NGOs –especially with reproductive health and human rights components need to outline during sensitisation programs if any.
Unfortunately, reports show that there is nothing on the ground despite funds inflow to support those programs. Of course, government or health ministry must not be mentioned here if the FGM must be redirected and uprooted out of the mental faculties of the affected communities. It is already evidenced that they can not deliver.
The questions remain: what is the role of the law enforcement agencies or the obligation of government to its people? Who do the leadership represent, or the technocrats? Could they be representatives of animals or themselves? Where are the policy makers and technocrats? Can leaders and agencies concern account for the funds they receive to run health, security, and human rights programs? Where is patriotism and who does it serve? Should field media men and women involve police on life-threatening matters –as a more proactive press?
By
Richard Rurangwa Byamukama and Jacob Waiswa
Conflict and Peace Centre, Makerere University
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
A DISCUSSION PAPER ON RELIGION AND CULTURE AND SALIENT FEATURES WITHIN THEM THAT CAN BE USED AS CONFLICT RESOLUTION MECHANISMS
Introduction
Spirituality is functional in connectivity with the belief system (a set of ideas, principles, and meanings attached to them. These, gradually, reinforces the development of mental and behavioral structures towards new personality-self. According to Father Musaala, A. (2010) Christians believe in 3-oned God –consisting of a person (mind, will and soul) –soul, (emotions, intuition and conscious) –spirit, body (fresh, blood and bones), and God –the Divine person.
There are other persons called angelic persons called demons or fallen angels –and without body. Then, there is Jesus Christ (with both Divine and Human Nature); and lastly, God –the Divine Nature. The spirit is said to be more powerful than the body, and some writers think it was Jesus’ spirit that rose, not the body in light of the Egyptian religious traditions (Nijel BPG, 1999).
Conflict is widely understood as actual perceived threat or opposition to one’s needs, interests, and positions –involving disagreements between two or more parties. Conflicts can refer to internal disharmony within individuals, disagreements between individuals, fighting, or wars between countries. And peace is the state of harmony and tranquility experienced by the individual at all levels –that may be family, community, national, regional and global.
Human growth and development is undisputedly characterized by conflict. This, though, cannot be accepted as a norm, but transformed for the human or social good, or otherwise resolved and prevented. But, according to the Wikipedia.org (2010), peace describes a relationship or society that is functioning harmoniously and without violent conflict. Peace is believed to be an outcome of a conflict after lessons have been taken and integrated into individual and social values. However, peace experts aim at not only overturning the ugly face of conflict for peace to prevail but also its sustainability.
Background
Religion is manipulated spirituality meant to serve interests of man either for the worst or for the best. Identifying region-mythical elements is essential to peace-building. In pursuant of patriotism, religions begin to scramble for dominion in the different spheres of a nation’s life for prestige among its followers and promoters.
Religion is often used by nationalists to promote own ideologies and to support war. In both ways religion can be both ugly and positively rewarding in peace-building, for example, it can respond positively towards peace-building efforts –through forgiveness, restoration, healing and transform them people from viewing it as personal faith to community-level wellbeing (Rodrigues, D. 2010).
Many writers have pointed an accusing finger at religion for being troublesome and a source of conflict, and now think we can use the thief to catch a thief. Religion, thus, has emerged as important ally to peace makers and builders. There are different aspects of religion or its traditions wherever they have been practiced, observed, read, and discussed or taught that can be exploited to resolve conflict in favor of peace and harmony –both within the self, among friends, within family, in community nationally, regionally and globally –through religious and cultural features like the cross, statues of saints, dharma wheel, the faith, the belief system, the ethics, morality issues, transcendentalism, communalism, and so on.
Universal Spirituality and Universal Nature
Religions evolve through learning from each other. Using Buddhism as a case; despite its relative lack of organization, is now a global faith through “reverse evangelism,” that is, people are naturally attracted to its teachings of self-reliance, inner peace and universal spirituality, without the necessity of being religious, attracted to it as secular religion or non-religious spirituality (Piya, T. 2010).
Religions wherever they went formed cultures and got mixed up to form new breeds of religion compatible to African way of life, South African way of life, South American way of life or Asian way of life and Arabia way of life (culture) be it Muslim religion, Christian religion, or Buddhist religion. Each adopted a section of societies traditions suited to the people they found –and through which it made ‘rightful’ meaning to them yet carrying same universal message of love and peace.
According to religionist Van Harvey in Wallace, B. Allan (2003:4) , we deem a system of belief and practice religious if it expresses a dominant interest in certain universal and elemental features of human existence. One way of achievement inner peace is subscription to acceptable or rational ethical and moral codes. From individual the peace extends to family, groups of individuals, local community, regionally and internationally.
Buddhism has been found to posses a lot of philosophy and science (knowledge and empiricism of the nature of the mind, the physical environment and generally about the natural world). It concerns itself causality within the human experience and empiricism rather than transcendentalism Wallace, B. Allan (2003:8). Experience search for the truth elicits on-spot understanding of phenomenon and right decision making whilst considering sustainable development for sustainable peace.
Dharma teaching guides individuals into those who respect biodiversity and begins to appreciate unity in natural diversity for sustainability of life.
During mindfulness, it is through understanding dynamics of nature that suffering ceases. Buddhism is accommodative of diverse cultures religions and or ideology, rather than zealotry and fanaticism –tokens of patience, tolerance and cooperation among various faiths which promote peace (Premaseri, 2008). Understanding suffering as nature subject to change helped to individuals detach from cravings that caused suffering. By doing so healing from negative past begins –leading to peace within oneself and shared peace with others.
Station and Symbolism
In the Roman Catholic Churches there is a box –a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept and is set over the Alter. That box and its contents show divine presence of God (Kevin Knight, 2009). In the Catholic Churches the box specifically houses the bread (body of Jesus Christ) and wine (his blood). Taking of the blood and bread are taken by Catholics to embrace the life of Jesus Christ and reunite with him. As a result, Catholics go on to do Christly works and be good role-models in the community. They, for example, showed love to other Christians, showed meekness daily living, and in peace and harmony with themselves and others.
In addition, there are specific stations for God (or a any other representation of God). For example, among the Muslims is a mosque marked by a ‘sliced moon symbol, a temple of Hindus, Buddhists and others, synagogue for the Jews, and churches for Christians. Worshipers find it a privileged to attend sermons or sessions in those centers or houses of God. That not only helped to directly communicate to God (to repent, to ask for providence and protection), build man’s relationship with nature or God, but strengthened it. And at the end of the sessions of prayers, there is a marked difference between how a worshiper felt before prayer and after –really, a great feeling to keep such a relationship with one’s God.
Universal Spirituality and Universal Nature
Religions evolve through learning from each other. Using Buddhism as a case; despite its relative lack of organization, is now a global faith through “reverse evangelism,” that is, people are naturally attracted to its teachings of self-reliance, inner peace and universal spirituality, without the necessity of being religious, attracted to it as secular religion or non-religious spirituality (Piya, T. 2010).
Religions wherever they went formed cultures and got mixed up to form new breeds of religion compatible to African way of life, South African way of life, South American way of life or Asian way of life and Arabia way of life (culture) be it Muslim religion, Christian religion, or Buddhist religion. Each adopted a section of societies traditions suited to the people they found –and through which it made ‘rightful’ meaning to them yet carrying same universal message of love and peace.
According to religionist Van Harvey in Wallace, B. Allan (2003:4) , we deem a system of belief and practice religious if it expresses a dominant interest in certain universal and elemental features of human existence. One way of achievement inner peace is subscription to acceptable or rational ethical and moral codes. From individual the peace extends to family, groups of individuals, local community, regionally and internationally.
Buddhism has been found to posses a lot of philosophy and science (knowledge and empiricism of the nature of the mind, the physical environment and generally about the natural world). It concerns itself causality within the human experience and empiricism rather than transcendentalism Wallace, B. Allan (2003:8). Experience search for the truth elicits on-spot understanding of phenomenon and right decision making whilst considering sustainable development for sustainable peace.
Dharma teaching guides individuals into those who respect biodiversity and begins to appreciate unity in natural diversity for sustainability of life.
During mindfulness, it is through understanding dynamics of nature that suffering ceases. Buddhism is accommodative of diverse cultures religions and or ideology, rather than zealotry and fanaticism –tokens of patience, tolerance and cooperation among various faiths which promote peace (Premaseri, 2008). Understanding suffering as nature subject to change helped to individuals detach from cravings that caused suffering. By doing so healing from negative past begins –leading to peace within oneself and shared peace with others.
Faith, Trustfulness and Patience
Patience and trust can only be practiced to perfection and are important not only in one’s relationship with his or her God whilst awaiting providence but with fellow men as well whilst dealing with difficult people and in helping them change for the better for social peace and harmony. In trusting God there is no way man would resort to armament programs as a replacement of him (the Almighty).
Man would only trust the omnipresent and all powerful God, the God of love. This will help eradicate internal insecurities and external fears, militarism, re-emergency of cold wars and major international crises –in favor of love and mutual friendship, cooperation and trust which are relevant to peace, harmony and happiness. Otherwise, the world is now witnessing frightening development in biological weaponry and robotics (Francis, D. 2010). It would be interesting to see religion play a reinforcement role in the disarmament schemes.
Justice and Equity for Mutual Respect
Before God men and women are equal. The Ten Commandments were given to man to man and woman for foster mutual harmony, spiritual harmony, inner peace and environmental peace. However, the post conflict recovery has been a critical challenge for women and girls in northern Uganda after two (2) decades of war –according to the European Union (Lirri, E. 2010).
The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 responses that women are rarely involved in decisions to wage war –even though they bear the brunt of atrocities committed in conflict situation. The resolution seeks to protect women from violence –particularly sexual violence in conflict and post conflict situations. It should be noted that by virtue of their masculinity and socialization to be brave, courageous and rough, men tend to trigger violence to fulfill those attributes and orientation to them. Until men realize such disserving lifestyle would they realize environmental peace; tangibly.
Independent Variable (Religion): the Guide, Not the Doer
Religion can only be sought by man for appropriate approaches to life and not vice-versa. It provides recommended behavior to be truly belonging to it for the right intentions of orderliness, harmony and peace. It is only unfortunate that man drags religion and God’s name for own selfish ends and accordingly justify them. While religion has been used to support and to incite people into anarchy as was the case in Serbia, Yugoslavia, and Northern Ireland, it indeed preaches peace. Religion has only suffered from man’s greed, and has been used as opium to achieve his selfish interests.
Many writers argue that Islam and terrorism are never bed fellows, and no religion has ever supported violence as its mission. Yusuf, T. M. (2010) argued that prophet Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and Mohammed came to preach love, create harmony among mankind and cause people to believe in the creator and to promote faith and trust. The belief in the God of peace, and the faith and trust in him are important predictors of sustainable peace.
However, in his article, Maguire, D. C. (2010), an ethical and critique of the United States (US)-Israel alliance reveals how abusive of religious men and nations can be. According to him, both Israel and United States claim special security needs that justify violence, unchecked militarism, torture, violation of human rights and international law, and imperial expansion basing on prophetic remembrance and inspiration. As a result, 700,000 Palestine were driven from their land to make room for Israel. A situation of people without land (Israel) led to landless people (Palestine), only forced in camps deprived of basic necessities of livelihood. To maintain and at other occasions worsen the Palestine situation, Israel received ten million dollars a day; more than any country accept Iraq from the US.
It can be noted that Israel actions were a violation of 1948 UN resolution 194 –which says Palestinian refugees violently removed from their homes should be allowed to return while the 1967 UN resolution 242 cites inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by war after Israel tripled its size in six (6) day war. That resolution was reinforced by resolution 338 in 1971. It is further conceived that both Israel claim unique victim-hood; 9/11 for US and holocaust for the Israel, and use that the counter fear through same terrorism tool whilst mindless of open and insensitive suffocation of the Palestinian people –directly or indirectly by both countries. It propagation of injustice, misery and suffering against which the country like US claim to strive for globally.
Science (Human Intelligence) and Religion
Most religious practitioners think fronting science and utilizing it for humanity’s betterment and harmony is rebellion against God. They argue that God must not be replaced by human creations or impressions because that loosens or detaches him from his or her God. Some go ahead to say that it is the foolish –who are indeed ‘wise,’ or that the ‘poor’ will go to heaven –as justifications. However, man has to be knowledgeable and able to understand his environment if he or she has to be able to tame negative consequences that continuously threatens his existence. Knowledge and ability to deal with life challenges helps him to her to be in control of everything that surrounds him and make life easy and comfortable through advancement in technology –ensuring that it is appropriate with less or no side-effects to endanger himself.
Fear causes internal disharmony, however, most Christians greatly fear application of logic and science in objectively understanding mysteries of life. Instead, they displaced science and logic with Divine rule yet until man understands his natural environment will he gain internal security and peace extendable to greater social interaction circles. However, Pope Benedict XVI cautioned about extreme attitudes towards science that it holds answers towards life problems (St. Andrea Parish Catholic Church, 2010).
At a plenary assembly of the pontifical academy of sciences under the theme: “the scientific legacy of the twentieth century,” he noted that science, because of its innumerable advances was taken and answers all questions of man’s existence, and even his highest aspirations. He observed that the task remains patient yet passionate search for the truth about the cosmos, about nature and about the constitution of the human being.
Leadership in Religions
On top of the hierarchy is God who exists in different ways according to how man finds it befitting. The freedom to choose specific aspects of God or conceptualize him or her gives man a true sense of spiritual democracy. Indeed, where there is a problem is the question of leadership. The leadership like subjects too fall prey of sin. Perhaps the only difference is the unique rob or garment they wear to distinguish them from the congregation.
However, still, there must be an organization with structures, units, tasks and responsible people taking on such tasks. Such tasks could be mediation by mediation committee, HIV/AIDS department for creating awareness and conducting counseling session, family unit for marriage counseling and conducting holy matrimony, and communication office for releasing organization position on countries moral aspects. Failure to impart these means leadership failure.
In Rwanda, genocide ensued as church leaders either watched it happen or actively participated. It failed o condemn the genocide; some of the members of the religious hierarchy were accused, charged and convicted by the ICTR for participating in the genocide, however, he majority of Rwandans, and Tutsis in particular, are Catholic, so shared religion did not prevent genocide.
The Mind and Body in Buddhist Practice of Insight Meditation and Yoga
The exercises, directing and re-directing of mind and body, like prayer for Christians or Duwa for Muslims, can be done either in solitude or in groups. Buddhists apply insight meditation and yoga activities to gain understanding of nature, master it, and make right decisions –aimed at eradicating current problems to achieve inner peace.
Inner peace then contagiously penetrated different levels of human interaction –be it family, local community, regional and international characterized reciprocally by peace, harmony and tranquility. Insight meditation involved sustained awareness of the conditioned habits of the mind. Such are tamed, got rid of, and replaced by a new understanding of universal principles of nature encased in the four noble truths (acknowledging existence of suffering, the cause of suffering, existence of the path to end suffering and the way to liberating the self for ultimate peace).
Yoga on the other hand has been experiences as uniformed body movement patterns accompanied by natural breathing and exercised breathing (emphasizing lengthy oxygen in-take). Such have a wellness effect of increasing oxygen intake to the lungs and other parts of the body, improving blood flow, and achieving mental and physical fitness. According to Rahula, B. Y. (2009:53), sustained awareness of the challenges faced during such activities (yoga and insight meditation) like rising thoughts, ideas, worrying, breaking of pattern, day-dreaming, restlessness, tiredness, sheepishness –all of real life experience which patiently are seen vanishing under the universal principle that everything naturally change towards a certain orientation –which must be accepted as realities. Healthy minds and bodies thus provide way foe sustained inner peace within individuals. According to Nigel, BPG (1999), constantly power was drawn from the spirit into the body through Egyptian martial art. For the ancient Egyptians, this led to enlightenment and resurrections.
Futuristic, Evolutionary and Revolutionary
The International Humanitarian Law document (American Red Cross, 2001:10) provided that occupying powers must permit access to ministers of religion to give spiritual assistance to members of their religious communities. There are changes taking place instinctually and in the natural and social environments –whose dynamics man must master to progress alongside them –more so understanding of natural phenomenon that all other beings may fall short of. Contrary to that man suffers from disorientation, malfunctioning and extinction or selected out for being unfit to live in the dynamic world. Therefore, whatever happens, life must continue or ‘let go.’ There must be transformation from worse to better and from better to best –regardless. Religion facilitates healing from past negative experiences of war to building resilience and positive states of hope for peace and peace towards its achievement.
Appeasement, Forgiveness and Reconciliation
The Acholi culture (in Uganda) has one of the most interesting models for conflict resolution. They have got rituals which have facilitated reconciliation and amnesty in their communities. Forgiveness and reconciliation is said to be the center of that culture. They believe in the world of the living dead and spirits, and that shapes greatly their way of behavior, particularly how they see justice and reconciliation.
The divine spirits guided the Acholi moral order. When something wrong happened, they send illness and misery or misfortune –until appropriate actions were taken by the elders and offender. Some of the codes suggested by the Acholi Paramount Chief Rwot David Onen Acana II are; do not be trouble maker, respect sincerity, do not steal, reconcile and forgive, problem-solving through discussions, and children, women and disabled are not to be harmed in war.
Healing Power of Religion
African Traditional Religion is still popular to many including those subscribing to revealed teachings and post-colonial religions. South African communities are highly superstitious and believe that ancestors guide and protect the living through traditional healers. They are considered holy men and women who can bring good luck to their communities and chase away evil spirits, cure all sorts of illnesses, make poor rich, bring back lost love, win court cases, win lotto and predict the future (Among, B. (2010).
Moral Being and Religious Personality
In Buddhism, laziness is one cause of misery and suffering within individuals and society. During meditation, value of diligence is imparted characterized by individual application of interest, time, alertness and energy to achieve success –relevant for peace and harmony within self and others (Knight, M.L. 1999). But like the work ethical mannerism of Muslims, and ‘rightful’ Christian teaching in favor of hard work, Buddhism works past or against laziness. During meditation, value of diligence is imparted characterized by individual application of interest, time, alertness and energy to achieve success –relevant for peace and harmony within self and others.
Dharma teaching and the Buddhist practice of mindfulness transforms individual into one who are compassionate to others, kind and generous which is shown to not only fellow human beings but animals, as well. Through Buddhist practices and teachings individuals begin to be so caring about others, full of empathy and constantly wishing to share happiness with others. Egocentrism relegates individual to himself and inconsiderate of others in pursued of pleasure. Jealous is associated to increased mental pain, which after replacement with compassion for all beings and re-launching thoughts from wrongful and actions to rightful ones that cause happiness and peace.
During the practice of insight meditation, or mindfulness (in it), individuals are conditioned to be non-responsive to previous negative reactions –a time the gives room for the thinking system to be exercised before behavioral manifestations. Individuals prefer to define situations and develop systematic steps towards problem solving. Even after meditation the person will not fall back to the past –as he or she will be thinking different from the past, and find past habits odd, and wanting to behave differently –especially following the newly imparted values.
Instead of being afraid, individual will be confident, have courage instead of worries, realist and un-distractible instead of suspicious. Individuals practicing Buddhism are composed, firm, steady and stable. They know when to respond to stimuli and not to. They calculate different situation with full awareness of the need to bring happiness to oneself and others, rather than guilt and hurting others. Very noticeable in the Buddhist practices and principles is inculcation of the individual tool of concentration; one way through which distractions of life (pleasures and negative issues) are collectively eliminated to pursue planned and conscious actions.
Generosity is a product of loving kindness to all beings promoted in Buddhism. It is a wonderful feeling to present gifts –bringing a tremendous sense of emotional satisfaction. It strengthens the positive spirit within the individual and sustains peace. Kindness to all beings –including the grass and earth helps to build sustainable environmental peace, free from insecurities caused by famine, economic consequences of bad weather, and natural calamities as effects of hailstorms and landslides. Also through loving kindness, individuals learn to respect life, love themselves and behave in a way that creates peace within self and others rather than destruction. And through conservation of the environment as a virtue, individuals were guaranteed environment peace.
With obedience, individuals’ ties are built between those in authority and their subjects. This breeds peace within a given community. Obedience to seniors also helps individuals to gain experience and excelling at task or during challenging times, to gain wisdom (problem-solving abilities) that increased certainty of the future. Obedience is sealed by mutual respect.
Other related approaches to peace within individual and oneself includes; prayer, cultural rituals of invoking ancestors interventions, prostrating about symbolic objects, drinking local herbs, talking to a trusted friend, community meetings chaired by respected personalities etcetera.
Believing and Seeking Refugee (Trust) for Religious Coping
Part of the foundation of Buddhism teaching is acceptance and acknowledgement of the realities of life as change, pain, suffering, worry, anger, grieving, loss, grief, embarrassment, agitation, unpleasant feeling –which man must be mindful of through their entire process awaiting change for the better. This is the natural truth which according to Buddhist cannot be thought about otherwise to cause delusions, disorientation, strained immune system, disease and misery. Understanding the truth an observing it as it or they (phenomenon) happens not only caused to vanish to devolution but caused right understanding and patient decision making or proactive responses towards a prevailing cause of the problem –through adoption of new compliant and rescuing values enshrined in the teachings of Buddha (Four Noble Truth-[reality of suffering, existence of the cause of suffering, an end to suffering, and a way to end it]). Having gone through that, sanity prevails characterized by inner peace and contagious community peace.
Communality of Religions
The company of people we have, or the social environment we live in influence individual values for wellness, peace, harmony and happiness. Such social environment is one characterized joy, kindness, compassionate love, humility, rather than argumentative, envy and slanderous one. It is thus important to make right decision over which group of people to associate with as they can consciously or unconsciously influence individual values, feelings, thoughts and behavior for the good or worse. For the sake of individual peace and environment peace, it is pertinent that individuals seek company construct them positively into the right states of mental functioning and behavior relevant for individual and community peace.
Peace is central in the life of individual Africans. In African society, the relationship between individual and community was intertwined. It is expressed by a dictum from John Mbiti, ‘I am because we are, we are therefore I am’ (Vision Thoughts, 2010 ). However, on July 11th 2010, Uganda suffered a terrorist attack –killing over 74 people and more injured. The world over interpreted as terrorist attack executed by Islamic fundamentalists –The Al Shabaab militants in anarchic Somalia (Biryabarema, E. 2010). Such an act was a threat to peace and ridicules African and Islamic concept of peace. It thus important to note that human ego easily penetrates religion and man begins to behave religious yet being judged evil (or Devil worshiping).
Constitutionalism in Religion
Spirituality is guided by acceptable morals and ethics for personal and community discipline. These enforced orderliness, prevented conflict situations with fellow men and associated consequences, fostered and sustained individual and community peace and harmony. The Christians have the ten (10) commandments (e.g. worship God only, do not worship idols, do not use my name for evil purposes, observe the Sabbath, respect parents, do not kill, do not steal, do not accuse any one falsely, and do not desire another man’s wife(American Bible Society 1976).
A Buddhist value system is based on eight values (Eight Nobel Fold Path), which include: right thought, right speech, right intentions, right actions, right effort, right livelihood, right mindfulness, and right concentration. The positive outcomes from these teachings are that they helped individuals to avoid possessiveness that caused unnecessarily worrisome, anxieties, and suspiciousness; to avoid jealous which increased mental pain; helped to build individual diligence through application of energy and alertness of right intensities to achieve success; right intentions (or a life without stealing, taking other man’s wife) to avoid embarrassments, shame, guilt and loss of respect; to build individual confidence, social harmony with self and fellow men, to avoid generating anger among others through verbal and behavioral provocations (Knight, M.L. 1999).
There exist practices in religions that foster a healthy spirit, healthy mind and healthy body. Buddhist practice of yoga characterized by systematic movement patterns, body stretches, breathing exercises and natural breathing patterns help to induce healthy functioning of the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the skeletal system, the coordination system and detachment from the past to present times through mindfulness and inculcation of new universal values for sustainable living in peace and harmony with self and others. Other related activities, also, deemed psychotherapeutic include; 15 minutes or so minutes of silence, cognitive structuring and restructuring through guided imagery, self-talk, mindful breathing and physical exercises, contemplation, reflection, and group problem-solving or sharing.
Islam (total surrender to the will of Allah [God]) has five pillars associated to it that define man’s behaviors towards self and others for peaceful co-existence. These include: an acknowledgement that there is one God (Allah), Justice (ethics, fairness, and equity), respect for prophetic teachings (with the last of those by Prophet Mohammed), Respect the Divine institutions (e.g. Imams), and mindful of the final judgement. That is then followed by six pillars of faith: praying five times a day, pay alms to the poor (Zakat), and fasting during the month of Ramadan as well as Hijja (Ssebyala Badru, 2010). The Wikipedia.org (2010) adds believing in the struggle, directing others to the good, directing others away from evil, love those who are in God’s path, disassociation with those who oppose God.
Spirituality, Religion, Man and Natural Environment are One
Spirituality is defined, processed, and refined through religion to better lives and help man overcome ‘acceptably normal’ challenges in his or her day-to-day quest for the truth and goodness (God) and meaning in, or of life right for himself or herself and for generations to come. Spirituality is associated with general state of wellness through continuous life transitions –without which much desired success can be challenged to mean failure in his or her pursuits. The state of wellness is also determined by how well man interacts with his natural environment to ensure sustainable development and save himself from extinction through harsh climatic and natural conditions –if his actions were unfriendly and unwise towards it. To achieve that, man has to have the right spirit and right religion (defining the right spirit) in order to achieve sustained peace and harmony.
It can be illustrated that superior forces keep sweeping through the natural environment and coming into ‘normal conflict’ with man –whose relationship with those forces is determined by his or her relationship with religion he or she subscribes to and the right ways religion processed spirituality for man’s consumption, or how himself or herself consumed it, and then his right and healthy interaction with the natural environment, constantly seeking right understanding and consensus in that interaction. The quality of interaction helped revolved conflict in man and his social or natural environment and creating peace –which for its sustainability; man had to transfer that kind of knowledge to generations to come in order to ensure proper or right decision making for human and ecological security.
The Consequences or Law of Effect (Sin or Blessing, or Peace)
The opposite to all those interconnected events can be that man’s ill-thoughts, nurturance of wrong imaginations and intention, and then actions towards is natural and social environments potentially destroyed the good spirit and replaced it with bad one that sustains the wrongs and associated consequences –which mean destruction of the self and others, creating conditions for disease environmentally and through internal stress and pressures that suppress the immune system and cause his or her dysfunctional ways. It is a time artificial challenges of life created by man him self or her self -through his wrong decisions (ignorance) merge with ‘acceptable normal’ or natural challenges –both of which make life extremely difficult for man to progress towards attainment of harmony and peace.
Challenges
The Ugandan experience of worship especially among Christians shows most of them making fortune at the expense unsuspecting followers –using written scriptures as opium to extort, cheat and exploit church goers. The churches today have been infiltrated by men posing as pastors, and this is eroding flocks trust in them and biasing many against godly institution. In most churches, pastors use soothing words of hope, quote what their audience want to listen, and some even provide special blessings for those who pay specific amount of money for them: “the Lord tells me you are in need of blessing because you need promotion. If you really need what brought you here; in Jesus’ name, come get your prosperity blessings with shillings 250, 000,” a pastor screamed into a microphone (Kagwa, A. 2010).
Some religions found to be very amazing in terms of benefits, universality and accommodative like Buddhism and Baha’ism; like any new idea or technology being introduced in society, Buddhism is still held locally with lots of suspicion from the local population. They think it came to compete with existing faiths for its following, or impose a new product to them –to which they have to be careful about. Because Buddhism is therapeutic –being used globally to heal people from the negative past and afflictions, and bring peace and happiness to people. Some clinicians encountered and religious leaders feel disposed of their main occupation (healing or health). And because healing involves biochemical changes during participant interaction with nature, most religious leaders think, it lacks the God concept.
Conclusion
Religion carries amazing messages of peace, harmony and happiness, and that it possesses healing powers that can be interpreted clinically, It has no clear roots in Uganda and faces stiff opposition from indigenous faiths and clinical practices –who feel threatened by its complementally ingredients. However, for the sake of peace and progress in humanity’s quest for harmony, tranquility and happiness, we need an integrated approach to that goal through intellectual discussions and sharing information, rather than closedness in the face of a-must-be change in approaches and advancements in technology that necessitates global solidarity towards making the world a better place to live in (in comfort, in peace, in joy in happiness).
People who think about themselves only are indeed the cause of problems in the world today. They not only end at denouncing other traditions, or cultures, or at all regard them as ways of life and alternative approaches to solving life problems, but go ahead to marginalize, oppress, and undertake ethnic cleansing, and so on. Look at how the Jews were persecuted in German (holocaust), look at the Palestine-Israel war, look at Catholics verses Protestants in Ireland until recently, look at America attitudes towards Islam –until recently when President Baraka Obama announced new acceptable relationship with the Muslim world, look at Buganda verses President Y.K. Museveni, and so on. While possessing certain religious cross-cutting religious and universal ideals is intellectual maturity, true spirituality for peace, and cultural maturity, it is important that consumers of religion critical analyze religious cultures to determine ‘toxicity’ (whether harmful or not). This will help control human crime by means of religion as accomplice.
It is satisfying to have friends from different cultures and beliefs; it is really fun appreciating the beauty of certain practices like circumstances for Muslims, decency of dressing, healing and strong conviction -apart from having many wives; the Catholics strong conviction, homosexuality on children; Anglicans for liberty or democratic element; SDAs for passion and conviction, effective teaching or communication methods –making them so nice to relate to; the Born-Again (s) for their strong faith, healing, accent smartness (dressing). It is interesting learn one or two things. So appreciating diversity and at least one or two creates aspects of another group or person creates unity amidst differences and, eventually the big word: PEACE.
Spirituality is functional in connectivity with the belief system (a set of ideas, principles, and meanings attached to them. These, gradually, reinforces the development of mental and behavioral structures towards new personality-self. According to Father Musaala, A. (2010) Christians believe in 3-oned God –consisting of a person (mind, will and soul) –soul, (emotions, intuition and conscious) –spirit, body (fresh, blood and bones), and God –the Divine person.
There are other persons called angelic persons called demons or fallen angels –and without body. Then, there is Jesus Christ (with both Divine and Human Nature); and lastly, God –the Divine Nature. The spirit is said to be more powerful than the body, and some writers think it was Jesus’ spirit that rose, not the body in light of the Egyptian religious traditions (Nijel BPG, 1999).
Conflict is widely understood as actual perceived threat or opposition to one’s needs, interests, and positions –involving disagreements between two or more parties. Conflicts can refer to internal disharmony within individuals, disagreements between individuals, fighting, or wars between countries. And peace is the state of harmony and tranquility experienced by the individual at all levels –that may be family, community, national, regional and global.
Human growth and development is undisputedly characterized by conflict. This, though, cannot be accepted as a norm, but transformed for the human or social good, or otherwise resolved and prevented. But, according to the Wikipedia.org (2010), peace describes a relationship or society that is functioning harmoniously and without violent conflict. Peace is believed to be an outcome of a conflict after lessons have been taken and integrated into individual and social values. However, peace experts aim at not only overturning the ugly face of conflict for peace to prevail but also its sustainability.
Background
Religion is manipulated spirituality meant to serve interests of man either for the worst or for the best. Identifying region-mythical elements is essential to peace-building. In pursuant of patriotism, religions begin to scramble for dominion in the different spheres of a nation’s life for prestige among its followers and promoters.
Religion is often used by nationalists to promote own ideologies and to support war. In both ways religion can be both ugly and positively rewarding in peace-building, for example, it can respond positively towards peace-building efforts –through forgiveness, restoration, healing and transform them people from viewing it as personal faith to community-level wellbeing (Rodrigues, D. 2010).
Many writers have pointed an accusing finger at religion for being troublesome and a source of conflict, and now think we can use the thief to catch a thief. Religion, thus, has emerged as important ally to peace makers and builders. There are different aspects of religion or its traditions wherever they have been practiced, observed, read, and discussed or taught that can be exploited to resolve conflict in favor of peace and harmony –both within the self, among friends, within family, in community nationally, regionally and globally –through religious and cultural features like the cross, statues of saints, dharma wheel, the faith, the belief system, the ethics, morality issues, transcendentalism, communalism, and so on.
Universal Spirituality and Universal Nature
Religions evolve through learning from each other. Using Buddhism as a case; despite its relative lack of organization, is now a global faith through “reverse evangelism,” that is, people are naturally attracted to its teachings of self-reliance, inner peace and universal spirituality, without the necessity of being religious, attracted to it as secular religion or non-religious spirituality (Piya, T. 2010).
Religions wherever they went formed cultures and got mixed up to form new breeds of religion compatible to African way of life, South African way of life, South American way of life or Asian way of life and Arabia way of life (culture) be it Muslim religion, Christian religion, or Buddhist religion. Each adopted a section of societies traditions suited to the people they found –and through which it made ‘rightful’ meaning to them yet carrying same universal message of love and peace.
According to religionist Van Harvey in Wallace, B. Allan (2003:4) , we deem a system of belief and practice religious if it expresses a dominant interest in certain universal and elemental features of human existence. One way of achievement inner peace is subscription to acceptable or rational ethical and moral codes. From individual the peace extends to family, groups of individuals, local community, regionally and internationally.
Buddhism has been found to posses a lot of philosophy and science (knowledge and empiricism of the nature of the mind, the physical environment and generally about the natural world). It concerns itself causality within the human experience and empiricism rather than transcendentalism Wallace, B. Allan (2003:8). Experience search for the truth elicits on-spot understanding of phenomenon and right decision making whilst considering sustainable development for sustainable peace.
Dharma teaching guides individuals into those who respect biodiversity and begins to appreciate unity in natural diversity for sustainability of life.
During mindfulness, it is through understanding dynamics of nature that suffering ceases. Buddhism is accommodative of diverse cultures religions and or ideology, rather than zealotry and fanaticism –tokens of patience, tolerance and cooperation among various faiths which promote peace (Premaseri, 2008). Understanding suffering as nature subject to change helped to individuals detach from cravings that caused suffering. By doing so healing from negative past begins –leading to peace within oneself and shared peace with others.
Station and Symbolism
In the Roman Catholic Churches there is a box –a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept and is set over the Alter. That box and its contents show divine presence of God (Kevin Knight, 2009). In the Catholic Churches the box specifically houses the bread (body of Jesus Christ) and wine (his blood). Taking of the blood and bread are taken by Catholics to embrace the life of Jesus Christ and reunite with him. As a result, Catholics go on to do Christly works and be good role-models in the community. They, for example, showed love to other Christians, showed meekness daily living, and in peace and harmony with themselves and others.
In addition, there are specific stations for God (or a any other representation of God). For example, among the Muslims is a mosque marked by a ‘sliced moon symbol, a temple of Hindus, Buddhists and others, synagogue for the Jews, and churches for Christians. Worshipers find it a privileged to attend sermons or sessions in those centers or houses of God. That not only helped to directly communicate to God (to repent, to ask for providence and protection), build man’s relationship with nature or God, but strengthened it. And at the end of the sessions of prayers, there is a marked difference between how a worshiper felt before prayer and after –really, a great feeling to keep such a relationship with one’s God.
Universal Spirituality and Universal Nature
Religions evolve through learning from each other. Using Buddhism as a case; despite its relative lack of organization, is now a global faith through “reverse evangelism,” that is, people are naturally attracted to its teachings of self-reliance, inner peace and universal spirituality, without the necessity of being religious, attracted to it as secular religion or non-religious spirituality (Piya, T. 2010).
Religions wherever they went formed cultures and got mixed up to form new breeds of religion compatible to African way of life, South African way of life, South American way of life or Asian way of life and Arabia way of life (culture) be it Muslim religion, Christian religion, or Buddhist religion. Each adopted a section of societies traditions suited to the people they found –and through which it made ‘rightful’ meaning to them yet carrying same universal message of love and peace.
According to religionist Van Harvey in Wallace, B. Allan (2003:4) , we deem a system of belief and practice religious if it expresses a dominant interest in certain universal and elemental features of human existence. One way of achievement inner peace is subscription to acceptable or rational ethical and moral codes. From individual the peace extends to family, groups of individuals, local community, regionally and internationally.
Buddhism has been found to posses a lot of philosophy and science (knowledge and empiricism of the nature of the mind, the physical environment and generally about the natural world). It concerns itself causality within the human experience and empiricism rather than transcendentalism Wallace, B. Allan (2003:8). Experience search for the truth elicits on-spot understanding of phenomenon and right decision making whilst considering sustainable development for sustainable peace.
Dharma teaching guides individuals into those who respect biodiversity and begins to appreciate unity in natural diversity for sustainability of life.
During mindfulness, it is through understanding dynamics of nature that suffering ceases. Buddhism is accommodative of diverse cultures religions and or ideology, rather than zealotry and fanaticism –tokens of patience, tolerance and cooperation among various faiths which promote peace (Premaseri, 2008). Understanding suffering as nature subject to change helped to individuals detach from cravings that caused suffering. By doing so healing from negative past begins –leading to peace within oneself and shared peace with others.
Faith, Trustfulness and Patience
Patience and trust can only be practiced to perfection and are important not only in one’s relationship with his or her God whilst awaiting providence but with fellow men as well whilst dealing with difficult people and in helping them change for the better for social peace and harmony. In trusting God there is no way man would resort to armament programs as a replacement of him (the Almighty).
Man would only trust the omnipresent and all powerful God, the God of love. This will help eradicate internal insecurities and external fears, militarism, re-emergency of cold wars and major international crises –in favor of love and mutual friendship, cooperation and trust which are relevant to peace, harmony and happiness. Otherwise, the world is now witnessing frightening development in biological weaponry and robotics (Francis, D. 2010). It would be interesting to see religion play a reinforcement role in the disarmament schemes.
Justice and Equity for Mutual Respect
Before God men and women are equal. The Ten Commandments were given to man to man and woman for foster mutual harmony, spiritual harmony, inner peace and environmental peace. However, the post conflict recovery has been a critical challenge for women and girls in northern Uganda after two (2) decades of war –according to the European Union (Lirri, E. 2010).
The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 responses that women are rarely involved in decisions to wage war –even though they bear the brunt of atrocities committed in conflict situation. The resolution seeks to protect women from violence –particularly sexual violence in conflict and post conflict situations. It should be noted that by virtue of their masculinity and socialization to be brave, courageous and rough, men tend to trigger violence to fulfill those attributes and orientation to them. Until men realize such disserving lifestyle would they realize environmental peace; tangibly.
Independent Variable (Religion): the Guide, Not the Doer
Religion can only be sought by man for appropriate approaches to life and not vice-versa. It provides recommended behavior to be truly belonging to it for the right intentions of orderliness, harmony and peace. It is only unfortunate that man drags religion and God’s name for own selfish ends and accordingly justify them. While religion has been used to support and to incite people into anarchy as was the case in Serbia, Yugoslavia, and Northern Ireland, it indeed preaches peace. Religion has only suffered from man’s greed, and has been used as opium to achieve his selfish interests.
Many writers argue that Islam and terrorism are never bed fellows, and no religion has ever supported violence as its mission. Yusuf, T. M. (2010) argued that prophet Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and Mohammed came to preach love, create harmony among mankind and cause people to believe in the creator and to promote faith and trust. The belief in the God of peace, and the faith and trust in him are important predictors of sustainable peace.
However, in his article, Maguire, D. C. (2010), an ethical and critique of the United States (US)-Israel alliance reveals how abusive of religious men and nations can be. According to him, both Israel and United States claim special security needs that justify violence, unchecked militarism, torture, violation of human rights and international law, and imperial expansion basing on prophetic remembrance and inspiration. As a result, 700,000 Palestine were driven from their land to make room for Israel. A situation of people without land (Israel) led to landless people (Palestine), only forced in camps deprived of basic necessities of livelihood. To maintain and at other occasions worsen the Palestine situation, Israel received ten million dollars a day; more than any country accept Iraq from the US.
It can be noted that Israel actions were a violation of 1948 UN resolution 194 –which says Palestinian refugees violently removed from their homes should be allowed to return while the 1967 UN resolution 242 cites inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by war after Israel tripled its size in six (6) day war. That resolution was reinforced by resolution 338 in 1971. It is further conceived that both Israel claim unique victim-hood; 9/11 for US and holocaust for the Israel, and use that the counter fear through same terrorism tool whilst mindless of open and insensitive suffocation of the Palestinian people –directly or indirectly by both countries. It propagation of injustice, misery and suffering against which the country like US claim to strive for globally.
Science (Human Intelligence) and Religion
Most religious practitioners think fronting science and utilizing it for humanity’s betterment and harmony is rebellion against God. They argue that God must not be replaced by human creations or impressions because that loosens or detaches him from his or her God. Some go ahead to say that it is the foolish –who are indeed ‘wise,’ or that the ‘poor’ will go to heaven –as justifications. However, man has to be knowledgeable and able to understand his environment if he or she has to be able to tame negative consequences that continuously threatens his existence. Knowledge and ability to deal with life challenges helps him to her to be in control of everything that surrounds him and make life easy and comfortable through advancement in technology –ensuring that it is appropriate with less or no side-effects to endanger himself.
Fear causes internal disharmony, however, most Christians greatly fear application of logic and science in objectively understanding mysteries of life. Instead, they displaced science and logic with Divine rule yet until man understands his natural environment will he gain internal security and peace extendable to greater social interaction circles. However, Pope Benedict XVI cautioned about extreme attitudes towards science that it holds answers towards life problems (St. Andrea Parish Catholic Church, 2010).
At a plenary assembly of the pontifical academy of sciences under the theme: “the scientific legacy of the twentieth century,” he noted that science, because of its innumerable advances was taken and answers all questions of man’s existence, and even his highest aspirations. He observed that the task remains patient yet passionate search for the truth about the cosmos, about nature and about the constitution of the human being.
Leadership in Religions
On top of the hierarchy is God who exists in different ways according to how man finds it befitting. The freedom to choose specific aspects of God or conceptualize him or her gives man a true sense of spiritual democracy. Indeed, where there is a problem is the question of leadership. The leadership like subjects too fall prey of sin. Perhaps the only difference is the unique rob or garment they wear to distinguish them from the congregation.
However, still, there must be an organization with structures, units, tasks and responsible people taking on such tasks. Such tasks could be mediation by mediation committee, HIV/AIDS department for creating awareness and conducting counseling session, family unit for marriage counseling and conducting holy matrimony, and communication office for releasing organization position on countries moral aspects. Failure to impart these means leadership failure.
In Rwanda, genocide ensued as church leaders either watched it happen or actively participated. It failed o condemn the genocide; some of the members of the religious hierarchy were accused, charged and convicted by the ICTR for participating in the genocide, however, he majority of Rwandans, and Tutsis in particular, are Catholic, so shared religion did not prevent genocide.
The Mind and Body in Buddhist Practice of Insight Meditation and Yoga
The exercises, directing and re-directing of mind and body, like prayer for Christians or Duwa for Muslims, can be done either in solitude or in groups. Buddhists apply insight meditation and yoga activities to gain understanding of nature, master it, and make right decisions –aimed at eradicating current problems to achieve inner peace.
Inner peace then contagiously penetrated different levels of human interaction –be it family, local community, regional and international characterized reciprocally by peace, harmony and tranquility. Insight meditation involved sustained awareness of the conditioned habits of the mind. Such are tamed, got rid of, and replaced by a new understanding of universal principles of nature encased in the four noble truths (acknowledging existence of suffering, the cause of suffering, existence of the path to end suffering and the way to liberating the self for ultimate peace).
Yoga on the other hand has been experiences as uniformed body movement patterns accompanied by natural breathing and exercised breathing (emphasizing lengthy oxygen in-take). Such have a wellness effect of increasing oxygen intake to the lungs and other parts of the body, improving blood flow, and achieving mental and physical fitness. According to Rahula, B. Y. (2009:53), sustained awareness of the challenges faced during such activities (yoga and insight meditation) like rising thoughts, ideas, worrying, breaking of pattern, day-dreaming, restlessness, tiredness, sheepishness –all of real life experience which patiently are seen vanishing under the universal principle that everything naturally change towards a certain orientation –which must be accepted as realities. Healthy minds and bodies thus provide way foe sustained inner peace within individuals. According to Nigel, BPG (1999), constantly power was drawn from the spirit into the body through Egyptian martial art. For the ancient Egyptians, this led to enlightenment and resurrections.
Futuristic, Evolutionary and Revolutionary
The International Humanitarian Law document (American Red Cross, 2001:10) provided that occupying powers must permit access to ministers of religion to give spiritual assistance to members of their religious communities. There are changes taking place instinctually and in the natural and social environments –whose dynamics man must master to progress alongside them –more so understanding of natural phenomenon that all other beings may fall short of. Contrary to that man suffers from disorientation, malfunctioning and extinction or selected out for being unfit to live in the dynamic world. Therefore, whatever happens, life must continue or ‘let go.’ There must be transformation from worse to better and from better to best –regardless. Religion facilitates healing from past negative experiences of war to building resilience and positive states of hope for peace and peace towards its achievement.
Appeasement, Forgiveness and Reconciliation
The Acholi culture (in Uganda) has one of the most interesting models for conflict resolution. They have got rituals which have facilitated reconciliation and amnesty in their communities. Forgiveness and reconciliation is said to be the center of that culture. They believe in the world of the living dead and spirits, and that shapes greatly their way of behavior, particularly how they see justice and reconciliation.
The divine spirits guided the Acholi moral order. When something wrong happened, they send illness and misery or misfortune –until appropriate actions were taken by the elders and offender. Some of the codes suggested by the Acholi Paramount Chief Rwot David Onen Acana II are; do not be trouble maker, respect sincerity, do not steal, reconcile and forgive, problem-solving through discussions, and children, women and disabled are not to be harmed in war.
Healing Power of Religion
African Traditional Religion is still popular to many including those subscribing to revealed teachings and post-colonial religions. South African communities are highly superstitious and believe that ancestors guide and protect the living through traditional healers. They are considered holy men and women who can bring good luck to their communities and chase away evil spirits, cure all sorts of illnesses, make poor rich, bring back lost love, win court cases, win lotto and predict the future (Among, B. (2010).
Moral Being and Religious Personality
In Buddhism, laziness is one cause of misery and suffering within individuals and society. During meditation, value of diligence is imparted characterized by individual application of interest, time, alertness and energy to achieve success –relevant for peace and harmony within self and others (Knight, M.L. 1999). But like the work ethical mannerism of Muslims, and ‘rightful’ Christian teaching in favor of hard work, Buddhism works past or against laziness. During meditation, value of diligence is imparted characterized by individual application of interest, time, alertness and energy to achieve success –relevant for peace and harmony within self and others.
Dharma teaching and the Buddhist practice of mindfulness transforms individual into one who are compassionate to others, kind and generous which is shown to not only fellow human beings but animals, as well. Through Buddhist practices and teachings individuals begin to be so caring about others, full of empathy and constantly wishing to share happiness with others. Egocentrism relegates individual to himself and inconsiderate of others in pursued of pleasure. Jealous is associated to increased mental pain, which after replacement with compassion for all beings and re-launching thoughts from wrongful and actions to rightful ones that cause happiness and peace.
During the practice of insight meditation, or mindfulness (in it), individuals are conditioned to be non-responsive to previous negative reactions –a time the gives room for the thinking system to be exercised before behavioral manifestations. Individuals prefer to define situations and develop systematic steps towards problem solving. Even after meditation the person will not fall back to the past –as he or she will be thinking different from the past, and find past habits odd, and wanting to behave differently –especially following the newly imparted values.
Instead of being afraid, individual will be confident, have courage instead of worries, realist and un-distractible instead of suspicious. Individuals practicing Buddhism are composed, firm, steady and stable. They know when to respond to stimuli and not to. They calculate different situation with full awareness of the need to bring happiness to oneself and others, rather than guilt and hurting others. Very noticeable in the Buddhist practices and principles is inculcation of the individual tool of concentration; one way through which distractions of life (pleasures and negative issues) are collectively eliminated to pursue planned and conscious actions.
Generosity is a product of loving kindness to all beings promoted in Buddhism. It is a wonderful feeling to present gifts –bringing a tremendous sense of emotional satisfaction. It strengthens the positive spirit within the individual and sustains peace. Kindness to all beings –including the grass and earth helps to build sustainable environmental peace, free from insecurities caused by famine, economic consequences of bad weather, and natural calamities as effects of hailstorms and landslides. Also through loving kindness, individuals learn to respect life, love themselves and behave in a way that creates peace within self and others rather than destruction. And through conservation of the environment as a virtue, individuals were guaranteed environment peace.
With obedience, individuals’ ties are built between those in authority and their subjects. This breeds peace within a given community. Obedience to seniors also helps individuals to gain experience and excelling at task or during challenging times, to gain wisdom (problem-solving abilities) that increased certainty of the future. Obedience is sealed by mutual respect.
Other related approaches to peace within individual and oneself includes; prayer, cultural rituals of invoking ancestors interventions, prostrating about symbolic objects, drinking local herbs, talking to a trusted friend, community meetings chaired by respected personalities etcetera.
Believing and Seeking Refugee (Trust) for Religious Coping
Part of the foundation of Buddhism teaching is acceptance and acknowledgement of the realities of life as change, pain, suffering, worry, anger, grieving, loss, grief, embarrassment, agitation, unpleasant feeling –which man must be mindful of through their entire process awaiting change for the better. This is the natural truth which according to Buddhist cannot be thought about otherwise to cause delusions, disorientation, strained immune system, disease and misery. Understanding the truth an observing it as it or they (phenomenon) happens not only caused to vanish to devolution but caused right understanding and patient decision making or proactive responses towards a prevailing cause of the problem –through adoption of new compliant and rescuing values enshrined in the teachings of Buddha (Four Noble Truth-[reality of suffering, existence of the cause of suffering, an end to suffering, and a way to end it]). Having gone through that, sanity prevails characterized by inner peace and contagious community peace.
Communality of Religions
The company of people we have, or the social environment we live in influence individual values for wellness, peace, harmony and happiness. Such social environment is one characterized joy, kindness, compassionate love, humility, rather than argumentative, envy and slanderous one. It is thus important to make right decision over which group of people to associate with as they can consciously or unconsciously influence individual values, feelings, thoughts and behavior for the good or worse. For the sake of individual peace and environment peace, it is pertinent that individuals seek company construct them positively into the right states of mental functioning and behavior relevant for individual and community peace.
Peace is central in the life of individual Africans. In African society, the relationship between individual and community was intertwined. It is expressed by a dictum from John Mbiti, ‘I am because we are, we are therefore I am’ (Vision Thoughts, 2010 ). However, on July 11th 2010, Uganda suffered a terrorist attack –killing over 74 people and more injured. The world over interpreted as terrorist attack executed by Islamic fundamentalists –The Al Shabaab militants in anarchic Somalia (Biryabarema, E. 2010). Such an act was a threat to peace and ridicules African and Islamic concept of peace. It thus important to note that human ego easily penetrates religion and man begins to behave religious yet being judged evil (or Devil worshiping).
Constitutionalism in Religion
Spirituality is guided by acceptable morals and ethics for personal and community discipline. These enforced orderliness, prevented conflict situations with fellow men and associated consequences, fostered and sustained individual and community peace and harmony. The Christians have the ten (10) commandments (e.g. worship God only, do not worship idols, do not use my name for evil purposes, observe the Sabbath, respect parents, do not kill, do not steal, do not accuse any one falsely, and do not desire another man’s wife(American Bible Society 1976).
A Buddhist value system is based on eight values (Eight Nobel Fold Path), which include: right thought, right speech, right intentions, right actions, right effort, right livelihood, right mindfulness, and right concentration. The positive outcomes from these teachings are that they helped individuals to avoid possessiveness that caused unnecessarily worrisome, anxieties, and suspiciousness; to avoid jealous which increased mental pain; helped to build individual diligence through application of energy and alertness of right intensities to achieve success; right intentions (or a life without stealing, taking other man’s wife) to avoid embarrassments, shame, guilt and loss of respect; to build individual confidence, social harmony with self and fellow men, to avoid generating anger among others through verbal and behavioral provocations (Knight, M.L. 1999).
There exist practices in religions that foster a healthy spirit, healthy mind and healthy body. Buddhist practice of yoga characterized by systematic movement patterns, body stretches, breathing exercises and natural breathing patterns help to induce healthy functioning of the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the skeletal system, the coordination system and detachment from the past to present times through mindfulness and inculcation of new universal values for sustainable living in peace and harmony with self and others. Other related activities, also, deemed psychotherapeutic include; 15 minutes or so minutes of silence, cognitive structuring and restructuring through guided imagery, self-talk, mindful breathing and physical exercises, contemplation, reflection, and group problem-solving or sharing.
Islam (total surrender to the will of Allah [God]) has five pillars associated to it that define man’s behaviors towards self and others for peaceful co-existence. These include: an acknowledgement that there is one God (Allah), Justice (ethics, fairness, and equity), respect for prophetic teachings (with the last of those by Prophet Mohammed), Respect the Divine institutions (e.g. Imams), and mindful of the final judgement. That is then followed by six pillars of faith: praying five times a day, pay alms to the poor (Zakat), and fasting during the month of Ramadan as well as Hijja (Ssebyala Badru, 2010). The Wikipedia.org (2010) adds believing in the struggle, directing others to the good, directing others away from evil, love those who are in God’s path, disassociation with those who oppose God.
Spirituality, Religion, Man and Natural Environment are One
Spirituality is defined, processed, and refined through religion to better lives and help man overcome ‘acceptably normal’ challenges in his or her day-to-day quest for the truth and goodness (God) and meaning in, or of life right for himself or herself and for generations to come. Spirituality is associated with general state of wellness through continuous life transitions –without which much desired success can be challenged to mean failure in his or her pursuits. The state of wellness is also determined by how well man interacts with his natural environment to ensure sustainable development and save himself from extinction through harsh climatic and natural conditions –if his actions were unfriendly and unwise towards it. To achieve that, man has to have the right spirit and right religion (defining the right spirit) in order to achieve sustained peace and harmony.
It can be illustrated that superior forces keep sweeping through the natural environment and coming into ‘normal conflict’ with man –whose relationship with those forces is determined by his or her relationship with religion he or she subscribes to and the right ways religion processed spirituality for man’s consumption, or how himself or herself consumed it, and then his right and healthy interaction with the natural environment, constantly seeking right understanding and consensus in that interaction. The quality of interaction helped revolved conflict in man and his social or natural environment and creating peace –which for its sustainability; man had to transfer that kind of knowledge to generations to come in order to ensure proper or right decision making for human and ecological security.
The Consequences or Law of Effect (Sin or Blessing, or Peace)
The opposite to all those interconnected events can be that man’s ill-thoughts, nurturance of wrong imaginations and intention, and then actions towards is natural and social environments potentially destroyed the good spirit and replaced it with bad one that sustains the wrongs and associated consequences –which mean destruction of the self and others, creating conditions for disease environmentally and through internal stress and pressures that suppress the immune system and cause his or her dysfunctional ways. It is a time artificial challenges of life created by man him self or her self -through his wrong decisions (ignorance) merge with ‘acceptable normal’ or natural challenges –both of which make life extremely difficult for man to progress towards attainment of harmony and peace.
Challenges
The Ugandan experience of worship especially among Christians shows most of them making fortune at the expense unsuspecting followers –using written scriptures as opium to extort, cheat and exploit church goers. The churches today have been infiltrated by men posing as pastors, and this is eroding flocks trust in them and biasing many against godly institution. In most churches, pastors use soothing words of hope, quote what their audience want to listen, and some even provide special blessings for those who pay specific amount of money for them: “the Lord tells me you are in need of blessing because you need promotion. If you really need what brought you here; in Jesus’ name, come get your prosperity blessings with shillings 250, 000,” a pastor screamed into a microphone (Kagwa, A. 2010).
Some religions found to be very amazing in terms of benefits, universality and accommodative like Buddhism and Baha’ism; like any new idea or technology being introduced in society, Buddhism is still held locally with lots of suspicion from the local population. They think it came to compete with existing faiths for its following, or impose a new product to them –to which they have to be careful about. Because Buddhism is therapeutic –being used globally to heal people from the negative past and afflictions, and bring peace and happiness to people. Some clinicians encountered and religious leaders feel disposed of their main occupation (healing or health). And because healing involves biochemical changes during participant interaction with nature, most religious leaders think, it lacks the God concept.
Conclusion
Religion carries amazing messages of peace, harmony and happiness, and that it possesses healing powers that can be interpreted clinically, It has no clear roots in Uganda and faces stiff opposition from indigenous faiths and clinical practices –who feel threatened by its complementally ingredients. However, for the sake of peace and progress in humanity’s quest for harmony, tranquility and happiness, we need an integrated approach to that goal through intellectual discussions and sharing information, rather than closedness in the face of a-must-be change in approaches and advancements in technology that necessitates global solidarity towards making the world a better place to live in (in comfort, in peace, in joy in happiness).
People who think about themselves only are indeed the cause of problems in the world today. They not only end at denouncing other traditions, or cultures, or at all regard them as ways of life and alternative approaches to solving life problems, but go ahead to marginalize, oppress, and undertake ethnic cleansing, and so on. Look at how the Jews were persecuted in German (holocaust), look at the Palestine-Israel war, look at Catholics verses Protestants in Ireland until recently, look at America attitudes towards Islam –until recently when President Baraka Obama announced new acceptable relationship with the Muslim world, look at Buganda verses President Y.K. Museveni, and so on. While possessing certain religious cross-cutting religious and universal ideals is intellectual maturity, true spirituality for peace, and cultural maturity, it is important that consumers of religion critical analyze religious cultures to determine ‘toxicity’ (whether harmful or not). This will help control human crime by means of religion as accomplice.
It is satisfying to have friends from different cultures and beliefs; it is really fun appreciating the beauty of certain practices like circumstances for Muslims, decency of dressing, healing and strong conviction -apart from having many wives; the Catholics strong conviction, homosexuality on children; Anglicans for liberty or democratic element; SDAs for passion and conviction, effective teaching or communication methods –making them so nice to relate to; the Born-Again (s) for their strong faith, healing, accent smartness (dressing). It is interesting learn one or two things. So appreciating diversity and at least one or two creates aspects of another group or person creates unity amidst differences and, eventually the big word: PEACE.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
BUDDHISM, THE MAINSTREAM RELIGIONS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO HEALING AND PAN-AFRICANISM –A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Psychological trauma denotes a person vulnerability and inability to cope with stress and even to the seemingly slightest challenges of life as a result of acutely stressful past event (or events) –which leads to dysfunctional mental and physical being and, ultimately, to inappropriate mental and physical activities in his or her interaction with the external environment.
Pan-Africanism calls for a politically united Africa. In a true Pan-African spirit, Murindwa (2010) said, “Buddha was an African, Buddhism started in Africa, and so it is worth celebrating.” Buddhism is an ancient practice of achieving and preserving wisdom –which in turn facilitates eradication of suffering, misery and disease in all beings –to total liberation and happiness. Pan-Africanism entails looking back to one’s origin (Africa) with pride, confidence and high esteem –inspired by its rich heritage –to achieve success in all spheres of life.
Religion precisely organizes people towards attainment of spiritual expectations as pathways to achievement of life goals. Therefore, there must be a kind of relationship with the Divine –bound by a covenant (or set of rules) in order to realize one’s goal in life. Many Buddhists writers and practitioners believe their practices are beyond religion.
“Christian definition of religion practically excludes Buddhism. Unfortunately, English language is not a spiritual language and many words do not do; just the Pali language words like Dhamma, Buddha sasana and so on... I think, a philosophical point of view is more inclusive.” -Ven. Bhante Buddharakkita, The African Buddhist Monk.
It is necessary and natural to decide which development path to pursue as several options arise in order to preserve life. And regardless of individuals’ independency and contentment, they ultimately decide which philosophy or religious inclination will best work for them. In contemporary life, we are often confronted with pressure to choose one or more desirability among the many with difficulty –in a given time and space.
The quality of decisions made will determine nature of results –with varied influences and intensities on life of an individual or community –both in short-run and long-run. Therefore, it calls for critical thinking and analysis in order to make the right decision. Although spirited devotees turn ritualistic, Buddhism was either non-religious or religion by choice. It is a way of life –with amazingly positive outcomes to life-systems leading a practitioner to happiness as final destination. Unlike religions, Buddhism is experiential.
It has enshrined practical values yet universal (recognizing diversity) that guides one to empirically undergo sustainable healing to attain total state of wellness –rather than if it was merely a matter of believing. It was applicable to day-to-day-life bids to yield harmony for oneself and others. Moreover, it is one way of empowering oneself in particular and psychologically traumatized people in general with the tool of objective decision-making rather than if one rides on love-hate interactions, imaginations and emotions. Its reception in Africa is still poor –though.
Mainstream African religions, too, give many testimonies about healing and success. Indeed believers in Islam as is the atmosphere in the mosque, show great feeling of acceptance from God –which strengthens that relationship and continued adherence to the teaching of Prophet Muhammad. There is a lot of freedom for Christian counterparts; their sinful nature only calls for mercy and prayer, rather than humiliation from others or a sense of it within themselves.
For Muslims, sin is terrible and feared, but that does not apply when it becomes a religious “right” to organize assaults against Christian nor do peace-loving ones advocate otherwise. During conversion rituals for new entrants, both demonstrate sharply divisive and aggressive messages –a potential seed to future wars. For example –whereas Muslims stressed that Jesus is not a son of God because he (God) does not have biological attributes to father anyone –and they rubbish the resurrection story, Christians are quick to assume superior rights over inheritance of worldly riches and preserve their stance that Jesus rose from the dead –and as more powerful than Muhammad preserve.
Christian actions and belief system help to create calmness within an individual and tremendously caused relief from stress, anxieties and depression –through messages of love, and assurance of healing and eternity. As they sing music that carries the burdens of life, the process of attaining relief too began to full results. As an outcome, followers find a kind of health center in attending church services –especially those active in singing and dancing. That increases connectedness to their God. Unfortunately, that connection is lost by mid-week to necessitate re-fueling the next Sunday or Saturday.
In addition, it is business to run churches for Christians and owners become filthily rich at the expense of unsuspecting followers. The case is different with their Muslim counterparts –who open Mosques for the good of the Muslim fraternity and basing on faith –itself.
Main African religions, thus, open healing doors for psychologically traumatized Africans much as they do not provide exit route for misery and suffering through individual empowerment with the masterly and diversity principle. Instead, such come back to haunt believers before the week’s end –and all they look for is the pastor’s residence for a miracle healing. Level of Pan-Africanism prevails basing on strong respect Africans attach to tradition healing approaches –even with much infiltration of foreign religious cultures.
However, amidst all that, Africans make enemies of them-selves –through mindless destruction of nature and marginalization of fellow Africans because of greed and differences based on ideology, tribe and religion. Religiosity fails to tame evil in spite of the liberation message engraved in their faiths. Instead, centuries of misery continues to rule them. There is much emphasis on believing (or faith) to justify religious belonging rather than actions –the path to healing. Such inconsistencies between beliefs held and actions that occurred deny Africans and people of African decent comprehensive and sustainable healing.
Moreover, much western influences negatively affect Africa way of life in terms of speech, clothing and music. African church leaders and their followers “become more catholic than pope himself” by adopting western lifestyle. Any decision made in regards to what faith and understanding one belonged to is based on whether or not leads to attainment of complete states of psychological and physical healing (and security), wellness, peace, harmony and happiness for oneself and all other beings.
These include; the need for entertainment, to bury the negative past and to be healed, influences of family and friend, association with “big” personality figures in the church (role-models) –in the aspects of eloquence and ability to perform miracles as well as strong media advertisements and customer care techniques.
Deceptions potentially denies psychologically traumatized Africans the opportunity to make right decisions (from direct experience of mastering and understanding of nature) in the times of misery as a right path to effective and sustainable healing –as followers only work to generate church leaders’ material wealth. Meditation, though, is a Buddhist concept used in modern medicine as a means to achieve wellness.
Therefore, meditation is not just about the label, “Buddhist thing” but a very helpful yet effective practice to achieve complete state of well-being –regardless of the religious affiliation, race and tribe or origin. Above all, the beneficiary develops a sense of collectivity with all elements of life and nature –which in a sustainable manner is catalyst to healing.
In other words, healing is real and complete if the individual does not have negative conflicts in the mind or defeating perceptions about life (or body). Optimism is associated with variety of positive benefits that includes, lowering production of stress hormone –cartisol, bettering body function and reducing risk of chronic diseases. During the practice of VMT, optimism about life and love for everything as nature, or for every human and animals rather than divisions of them are constituent principle to healing.
Religious practices involve living a prayerful life as a means to come closer to the Supreme Being. Through faith and actions of a pure “heart,” the healthy relationship with humans is preserved. Islam, on the other hand, adds the dimension of ritualism –where cleansing with water, dissolving the ego and replacing it with complete humility before Allah (God) –showed by removing shoes before entering mosque and sitting down on the floor –which is later reflected in the follower’s interaction with fellow believers.
In that respect, Islamic faith portrays God, as internal and external -this means coming near God through performing rites with inner and outward significance to God. For example –purification through prayer for mercy and forgiveness of sins committed due to body dirt as to internal and ensuring hygiene by washing oneself as to external (Seyyed, 1987 Pg 111).
Man’s failure to adopt and master nature dictates his downfall –helplessly. His decision to hand over management tools to the Divine is only a reflection of failure that came back to taunt him. Yet God as noted therein had no role to play in man’s failures and self-extinction –if he (man) chooses to. Instead, man himself has to take up the responsibility to secure his natural place to avert present challenges as nuclear threats, uncontrollable sexual urges, drunkenness, drug abuse, environmental degradation, and deaths due to preventable diseases.
Very interesting to note also regards Buddha's background and principles of thought traced in the Black people in India known as Dravidians –another connection to Africa. They inherited India's older Black civilization known as the Harappan civilization, which existed from around 4,000 BCE and was the contemporary of Nubia prior to the first Egyptian dynasty.
In the centuries that followed, the Dravidians of India experienced a cultural and religious invasion from the north (circa 1,500 B.C.) by Indo-Europeans who called themselves Aryans (Nijel BPG, 1999. In 520 A.D., a monk named Bodhidharma left southern India for China to re-define and spread the teachings of the counter religion to Hinduism called Buddhism. Buddhism was a religion founded on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama who taught the Four Noble Truths to enlightenment. While often portrayed as Asian, the Buddha was a Black man.
Today, we awake to the facts that Buddha's tightly curled knots of hair, and elongated ear lobes are unmistakable African cultural traditions (Nijel BPG, 1999). African traditional religion continues to play a leading role in healing ways. A study carried out in eleven (11) Districts in eastern Uganda, 90% of people mental health-related problems preferred healers to health centers as the first point of contact –though there were no cases of patients cured confirmed. 59.3% sought religious leaders, 0.6% went to traditional healers while 2.3% visited modern health units (Nafula, 2007).
However, the trust and satisfaction between patients and traditional healers was enough to cause relief and hope that are essential elements of healing. In light of the popular traditional healing approach, Kigozi (2007) observed, “…highly educated contacted traditional healers.” Conflicts as usually are a routine, crop up only to motivate Africans to choose appropriate ways to live fulfilling lives. Availing options with accompanying information was relevant to that effect –from which to experience and, ultimately, make right decisions.
Unfortunately, it turns into competition and hostility for fame among mainstream religious traditions –leading to violence and loss of religious importance. Buddhism uniquely argues that happiness is for all –regardless of race, ideology and background (Goenka 2007). It respected diversity and peaceful co-existence, which now uniquely presents itself as the mirror of Pan-Africanism.
In that regard, VMT is a very effective remedy against psychosomatic conditions as migraines –and helping to facilitate behavioral change, bettering patients with ADHD, dissolving depression and anxiety states, fostering social harmony –and providing a permanent solution to environmental degradations and associated human impact. VMT benefits as much as the dangers or challenges of life affects everyone –regardless of religion. There are different healing practices reviewed with confirmed benefits –which included; 15 minutes group silence, contemplating, self imagery, positive reinforcement, and positive self-talk and masterly –accompanied by a drill or physical exercise, seeking the magic touch of a “witch doctor” or traditional healer –and prayerful nature of Christians and Muslims. Particularly Christians, their approach dictates more of believing than reflections from actions –solely because God is a merciful –who would forgive them.
Besides, they use scriptures to justify violence against fellow men, to degrade the environment nature and nurse their own egos –which only leads to disrepute for the religious organizations they belong. However, VMT has sustainable benefits yet holistic and positively full on impact on life of both human beings and nature in diversity. The accompanying message (dharma talk) champions the rights of every living thing, respect for nature and, interestingly, viewed man and other beings as equal members of the eco-system.
Man is not in any way superior but rather part of the WHOLE in diversity. Unlike other belief systems and healing technologies, VMT has practical experience of suffering and misery as part of the program to realization, connection with nature (of which God is part), and masterly of the mind (to attain wisdom necessary to realization of peace and happiness). It provided practical experience of life’s misery and suffering as best way to gain wisdom, rather than merely believing. It also deals with ailments not at their surface, or symptomatic view but, accordingly, from the root of the case.
With Buddhism, having originated from Africa and Gautama –an African himself: is time for Africa to claim her rightful values as pathways to healing –through practice of the VMT –given such amazing positive influences on mental health as portrayed therein? As a matter of decision-making, the answer is yes –which now confirms that Africans wherever they are have the means at their disposal to attain the goal of unity in excellent mental states, peace and harmony.
Jacob Waiswa
Situation Health Analyst
Pan-Africanism calls for a politically united Africa. In a true Pan-African spirit, Murindwa (2010) said, “Buddha was an African, Buddhism started in Africa, and so it is worth celebrating.” Buddhism is an ancient practice of achieving and preserving wisdom –which in turn facilitates eradication of suffering, misery and disease in all beings –to total liberation and happiness. Pan-Africanism entails looking back to one’s origin (Africa) with pride, confidence and high esteem –inspired by its rich heritage –to achieve success in all spheres of life.
Religion precisely organizes people towards attainment of spiritual expectations as pathways to achievement of life goals. Therefore, there must be a kind of relationship with the Divine –bound by a covenant (or set of rules) in order to realize one’s goal in life. Many Buddhists writers and practitioners believe their practices are beyond religion.
“Christian definition of religion practically excludes Buddhism. Unfortunately, English language is not a spiritual language and many words do not do; just the Pali language words like Dhamma, Buddha sasana and so on... I think, a philosophical point of view is more inclusive.” -Ven. Bhante Buddharakkita, The African Buddhist Monk.
It is necessary and natural to decide which development path to pursue as several options arise in order to preserve life. And regardless of individuals’ independency and contentment, they ultimately decide which philosophy or religious inclination will best work for them. In contemporary life, we are often confronted with pressure to choose one or more desirability among the many with difficulty –in a given time and space.
The quality of decisions made will determine nature of results –with varied influences and intensities on life of an individual or community –both in short-run and long-run. Therefore, it calls for critical thinking and analysis in order to make the right decision. Although spirited devotees turn ritualistic, Buddhism was either non-religious or religion by choice. It is a way of life –with amazingly positive outcomes to life-systems leading a practitioner to happiness as final destination. Unlike religions, Buddhism is experiential.
It has enshrined practical values yet universal (recognizing diversity) that guides one to empirically undergo sustainable healing to attain total state of wellness –rather than if it was merely a matter of believing. It was applicable to day-to-day-life bids to yield harmony for oneself and others. Moreover, it is one way of empowering oneself in particular and psychologically traumatized people in general with the tool of objective decision-making rather than if one rides on love-hate interactions, imaginations and emotions. Its reception in Africa is still poor –though.
Mainstream African religions, too, give many testimonies about healing and success. Indeed believers in Islam as is the atmosphere in the mosque, show great feeling of acceptance from God –which strengthens that relationship and continued adherence to the teaching of Prophet Muhammad. There is a lot of freedom for Christian counterparts; their sinful nature only calls for mercy and prayer, rather than humiliation from others or a sense of it within themselves.
For Muslims, sin is terrible and feared, but that does not apply when it becomes a religious “right” to organize assaults against Christian nor do peace-loving ones advocate otherwise. During conversion rituals for new entrants, both demonstrate sharply divisive and aggressive messages –a potential seed to future wars. For example –whereas Muslims stressed that Jesus is not a son of God because he (God) does not have biological attributes to father anyone –and they rubbish the resurrection story, Christians are quick to assume superior rights over inheritance of worldly riches and preserve their stance that Jesus rose from the dead –and as more powerful than Muhammad preserve.
Christian actions and belief system help to create calmness within an individual and tremendously caused relief from stress, anxieties and depression –through messages of love, and assurance of healing and eternity. As they sing music that carries the burdens of life, the process of attaining relief too began to full results. As an outcome, followers find a kind of health center in attending church services –especially those active in singing and dancing. That increases connectedness to their God. Unfortunately, that connection is lost by mid-week to necessitate re-fueling the next Sunday or Saturday.
In addition, it is business to run churches for Christians and owners become filthily rich at the expense of unsuspecting followers. The case is different with their Muslim counterparts –who open Mosques for the good of the Muslim fraternity and basing on faith –itself.
Main African religions, thus, open healing doors for psychologically traumatized Africans much as they do not provide exit route for misery and suffering through individual empowerment with the masterly and diversity principle. Instead, such come back to haunt believers before the week’s end –and all they look for is the pastor’s residence for a miracle healing. Level of Pan-Africanism prevails basing on strong respect Africans attach to tradition healing approaches –even with much infiltration of foreign religious cultures.
However, amidst all that, Africans make enemies of them-selves –through mindless destruction of nature and marginalization of fellow Africans because of greed and differences based on ideology, tribe and religion. Religiosity fails to tame evil in spite of the liberation message engraved in their faiths. Instead, centuries of misery continues to rule them. There is much emphasis on believing (or faith) to justify religious belonging rather than actions –the path to healing. Such inconsistencies between beliefs held and actions that occurred deny Africans and people of African decent comprehensive and sustainable healing.
Moreover, much western influences negatively affect Africa way of life in terms of speech, clothing and music. African church leaders and their followers “become more catholic than pope himself” by adopting western lifestyle. Any decision made in regards to what faith and understanding one belonged to is based on whether or not leads to attainment of complete states of psychological and physical healing (and security), wellness, peace, harmony and happiness for oneself and all other beings.
These include; the need for entertainment, to bury the negative past and to be healed, influences of family and friend, association with “big” personality figures in the church (role-models) –in the aspects of eloquence and ability to perform miracles as well as strong media advertisements and customer care techniques.
Deceptions potentially denies psychologically traumatized Africans the opportunity to make right decisions (from direct experience of mastering and understanding of nature) in the times of misery as a right path to effective and sustainable healing –as followers only work to generate church leaders’ material wealth. Meditation, though, is a Buddhist concept used in modern medicine as a means to achieve wellness.
Therefore, meditation is not just about the label, “Buddhist thing” but a very helpful yet effective practice to achieve complete state of well-being –regardless of the religious affiliation, race and tribe or origin. Above all, the beneficiary develops a sense of collectivity with all elements of life and nature –which in a sustainable manner is catalyst to healing.
In other words, healing is real and complete if the individual does not have negative conflicts in the mind or defeating perceptions about life (or body). Optimism is associated with variety of positive benefits that includes, lowering production of stress hormone –cartisol, bettering body function and reducing risk of chronic diseases. During the practice of VMT, optimism about life and love for everything as nature, or for every human and animals rather than divisions of them are constituent principle to healing.
Religious practices involve living a prayerful life as a means to come closer to the Supreme Being. Through faith and actions of a pure “heart,” the healthy relationship with humans is preserved. Islam, on the other hand, adds the dimension of ritualism –where cleansing with water, dissolving the ego and replacing it with complete humility before Allah (God) –showed by removing shoes before entering mosque and sitting down on the floor –which is later reflected in the follower’s interaction with fellow believers.
In that respect, Islamic faith portrays God, as internal and external -this means coming near God through performing rites with inner and outward significance to God. For example –purification through prayer for mercy and forgiveness of sins committed due to body dirt as to internal and ensuring hygiene by washing oneself as to external (Seyyed, 1987 Pg 111).
Man’s failure to adopt and master nature dictates his downfall –helplessly. His decision to hand over management tools to the Divine is only a reflection of failure that came back to taunt him. Yet God as noted therein had no role to play in man’s failures and self-extinction –if he (man) chooses to. Instead, man himself has to take up the responsibility to secure his natural place to avert present challenges as nuclear threats, uncontrollable sexual urges, drunkenness, drug abuse, environmental degradation, and deaths due to preventable diseases.
Very interesting to note also regards Buddha's background and principles of thought traced in the Black people in India known as Dravidians –another connection to Africa. They inherited India's older Black civilization known as the Harappan civilization, which existed from around 4,000 BCE and was the contemporary of Nubia prior to the first Egyptian dynasty.
In the centuries that followed, the Dravidians of India experienced a cultural and religious invasion from the north (circa 1,500 B.C.) by Indo-Europeans who called themselves Aryans (Nijel BPG, 1999. In 520 A.D., a monk named Bodhidharma left southern India for China to re-define and spread the teachings of the counter religion to Hinduism called Buddhism. Buddhism was a religion founded on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama who taught the Four Noble Truths to enlightenment. While often portrayed as Asian, the Buddha was a Black man.
Today, we awake to the facts that Buddha's tightly curled knots of hair, and elongated ear lobes are unmistakable African cultural traditions (Nijel BPG, 1999). African traditional religion continues to play a leading role in healing ways. A study carried out in eleven (11) Districts in eastern Uganda, 90% of people mental health-related problems preferred healers to health centers as the first point of contact –though there were no cases of patients cured confirmed. 59.3% sought religious leaders, 0.6% went to traditional healers while 2.3% visited modern health units (Nafula, 2007).
However, the trust and satisfaction between patients and traditional healers was enough to cause relief and hope that are essential elements of healing. In light of the popular traditional healing approach, Kigozi (2007) observed, “…highly educated contacted traditional healers.” Conflicts as usually are a routine, crop up only to motivate Africans to choose appropriate ways to live fulfilling lives. Availing options with accompanying information was relevant to that effect –from which to experience and, ultimately, make right decisions.
Unfortunately, it turns into competition and hostility for fame among mainstream religious traditions –leading to violence and loss of religious importance. Buddhism uniquely argues that happiness is for all –regardless of race, ideology and background (Goenka 2007). It respected diversity and peaceful co-existence, which now uniquely presents itself as the mirror of Pan-Africanism.
In that regard, VMT is a very effective remedy against psychosomatic conditions as migraines –and helping to facilitate behavioral change, bettering patients with ADHD, dissolving depression and anxiety states, fostering social harmony –and providing a permanent solution to environmental degradations and associated human impact. VMT benefits as much as the dangers or challenges of life affects everyone –regardless of religion. There are different healing practices reviewed with confirmed benefits –which included; 15 minutes group silence, contemplating, self imagery, positive reinforcement, and positive self-talk and masterly –accompanied by a drill or physical exercise, seeking the magic touch of a “witch doctor” or traditional healer –and prayerful nature of Christians and Muslims. Particularly Christians, their approach dictates more of believing than reflections from actions –solely because God is a merciful –who would forgive them.
Besides, they use scriptures to justify violence against fellow men, to degrade the environment nature and nurse their own egos –which only leads to disrepute for the religious organizations they belong. However, VMT has sustainable benefits yet holistic and positively full on impact on life of both human beings and nature in diversity. The accompanying message (dharma talk) champions the rights of every living thing, respect for nature and, interestingly, viewed man and other beings as equal members of the eco-system.
Man is not in any way superior but rather part of the WHOLE in diversity. Unlike other belief systems and healing technologies, VMT has practical experience of suffering and misery as part of the program to realization, connection with nature (of which God is part), and masterly of the mind (to attain wisdom necessary to realization of peace and happiness). It provided practical experience of life’s misery and suffering as best way to gain wisdom, rather than merely believing. It also deals with ailments not at their surface, or symptomatic view but, accordingly, from the root of the case.
With Buddhism, having originated from Africa and Gautama –an African himself: is time for Africa to claim her rightful values as pathways to healing –through practice of the VMT –given such amazing positive influences on mental health as portrayed therein? As a matter of decision-making, the answer is yes –which now confirms that Africans wherever they are have the means at their disposal to attain the goal of unity in excellent mental states, peace and harmony.
Jacob Waiswa
Situation Health Analyst
Saturday, May 16, 2009
RELIGIOSITY AND SPIRITUALITY: WHO IS RIGHT, WRONG AND WHICH WAY TO GO?
The emptiness, unknown or knowledge gap of mankind –yet most powerfully affecting life for the worse or good, is what prompts man to quest everyday for knowledge to understand life puzzles. His vigorous activity to assert himself through numerous discoveries has still been in vain or just temporary.
Certain forces beyond his understanding, some of which he can describe, continue to side-by-side affect human life negatively or positively. It is upon this background that the concept of spirituality could be divided into positive spirituality and negative spirituality, which both strongly influences human perception and events.
No wonder, people at one point could belong either way or make decisions that aligned to the two sets of spirituality. And, with the consequences faced in pursued on any of the two spiritual systems, lessons are learnt that help transform individuals, communities and mankind as a whole.
However, experience has shown that those who choose positive spirituality of the two spiritual systems never failed. They always attained their goals in life transferable to many generations a head. The opposite would be so to those –who choose to live under negative spirituality.
Religions, as an organized way through which mankind attains positive spiritual needs to inspire those that are physical have often been abused. Man’s magnetic ego and manipulative drives have soon prompted him to hijack the organization and use it to serve his economic and political gains.
Of course, with determination, adoption of religious and Christian values and seeing them work through every aspect of one’s life –as basis for decision making and for common good, could go a long way to bring about harmony and social or world order.
However, focus on religiosity and/or Christianity cannot be enough to create such a desired outcome, but rather, it could be a platform of positive spirituality to govern the common destiny of mankind through the common challenges met.
While religiosity potentially generates conditions for conflict, positive spirituality on one could foster global unity, solidarity and collective actions towards challenges that affect humanity as a whole.
With religion, the genesis could be sparks of different ideas that get organized, documented and linked to spirituality in general to satisfy man’s needs. If so many different ideas are created with equally huge following, fanaticism phase would soon ensue.
The pride and arrogance could be alone a source of conflict as members of a specific section accept to tolerate only those they either share values with or are accepting to their religious dictatorship.
As membership to particular religious group they set rights and privileges for each other, and with, of course, a leadership structure similar to a company or political party –through which they assume custody of morality and claim an unquestionable guardianship over their following.
While they judge themselves as righteous, others groups, to them, are “sinners”, “immoral”, and “evil.” That could eventually be followed by a hate campaign against the other group; a big sign of pending violence.
Orphans, because of the vulnerable position they are found, are forced to change faith to adopt that held by the organization that oversees their welfare. For them, it is not a question of being Muslim or wherever, but a principled matter of following existing instructions at the orphanage.
This has been evidenced at virtually all orphanage institution manned by born-again groups or reformed churches. Experience in Busia as a child care professional has showed that children are discouraged from re-establishing contacts with relatives –fearing that doing so could reverse progress made at the orphanage, as christianization of every beneficiary.
But does one have to be religious to display proper character? And is being religious or Christian, alone, a depiction of good character? Isn’t a religious organization just meant to channel man’s expressions of goodness and irrationality –at the same time?
Imagine, mere differences in ideology being a root for violent confrontations –leading to massacres or genocide! Does morality only come with religions? Why wouldn’t reason come into play to compliment illogic and irrational religious practices, so that it turns out to be a combination of atheism and religious?
Much as atheism never accepts the vocabulary of God, as if declaring independence of mankind and show of human power, evidence has shown that they often used either the word Jesus, Christ or God in expressing amazement or shock.
As an economic vessel, more people are coming up with an idea of taking on offering religious rituals or services as a professional and for a fee. Numerous papyrus and mud structures –serving as churches, as can be seen in the suburbs and rural semi-urban areas have in recent years sprung up. And, indeed, in a few years time they become wealthy –riding on the fortunes of their following.
At some stage, especially after successfully achieving their economic goal, religious leaders would release their ego –to then want to own the congregation personally and easily manipulating them to meet his or her ego needs.
Unlike for a nations with tax collection departments, religious movements never share their revenues Instead are channeled to a project of one, or group of people doing business, while emphasizing to their congregation that it best to live poor so long as they continues serving “god” by giving to the project’s cause.
They pray for their following to become wealthy, so that upon determination to work hard and making money, it finds its way into the gown of religious leaders –who later become filthily and lavishly rich.
Why wouldn’t one instead give to the poor wherever, rather than simply helping make canning individuals rich –under the guise of religion? Surely, the power and benefits of giving can be realized even out side religious organization or setting!
Because of their unquestionable word as attributed to God’s or positive spirituality, their following could remain unsuspecting and ready to die for the pastor and his word. This is how rocky and sometimes deceptive religious cultures can be held by those who subscribe to them –regardless of the consequences (to them and others).
They make it a tactic or as part of initiation to have a potential member surrender his or intellect and logic powers for unfiltered orders and instructions, which prepares ground for newer worlds of irrationality in thought and behavior. No wonder, under mental health dispensation, the tendency can be categorized as a disorder.
That could be the same time when dangerous vices begin to crop up like alcoholism, discrimination, sex immorality, self-glorification, and show of greater masculinity and femininity among fellow men or women respectively. It is obvious that competition among fellow religious leaders could be inevitable.
Because traditional cultural infiltration or cultural-religiosity, the masculinity-driven religious leaders will want to assume total political power or participate in political developments.
Others contribute to division and violence in marriages –through promotion of gender inequity, discrimination and unavoidable or possible violence in the country as in homes. But violence in homes, alone, has been known to cause pychoticism and/or odd behaviors in adolescents and aggravated mental breakdown later in life.
Failure for religion to equally provide roles and responsibilities, equally shared by all men regardless of the sex, race, region and faith or belief has in turn failed efforts to pacify the world and protect the environment.
Religious pride, then, linked up with man’s greed to exploit and degrade the environment –without reservations as well as generation of conditions for conflicts, wars and misery. This could be calamitous if there was a marriage between religion and politics to give birth to political-religiosity (ies).
They will want to show individual worthiness and power –on the basis on their ability to do miracles or magic, size of the congregation, beauty of prayer houses and oratory powers, and wealth. This, alone, could trigger conflict scaled up suspicions, mistrust and insecurity of each other’s activities.
Evidence, however, has showed that positive values helped one develop a good personality ethic and character –which in turn directed him or her to important life achievement and assurance of more of the unknown positive outcomes (what could come from positive spirituality).
An example of such values could be; reconciliation, meditation or silent review of enriching values, courage in pursuit for the truth and good, patience and calmness when the unexpected strikes to cause draw-backs, determination, self-trust, healthy social relations (consisting of respect, cooperation, responsibility, understanding and caring) and focus on what is good, right and rewarding to one self and others. Researchers have shown that positive values came along with interesting healthy outcomes like reduced stress, strong immune system and high productivity.
The basic question, thus, is: can we achieve success, good health, wealth –through formation of nature-friendly ideals pursuable for the one’s better end –without having to join or getting harmed (psychologically, physically, economically and culturally) by practices of existing religious organizations?
In Uganda, as it were else-where in the world, due to the religious persecution in the pre-colonial times and post-colonial period between 1971 and 1979, a neutral faith cropped up, related but autonomous called balokole – the born-again churches. Like hyenas moving after lions, they mushroomed following liberation struggles against former dictator Iddi Amin.
But, most prominently, showed up when president Museveni –under NRM/A revolutionary guard came to power. As part of their program, the new regime in Kampala allowed freedom of expression. They never minded about having to enact policies that would govern the new faith movement.
Such a weakness was manifested itself when a former catholic cleric, Kibwetere led a cult that muted themselves with fire –to “have its membership go to the creator. Numerous other cults with independent constitutions too have sprung up in the country-side unmonitored by government –notably; Mukono district.
In the same way media reports have continued to highlight irrational activities within those unmonitored groups, but in the name of freedom of expression, government remains unbothered. Perhaps, another inferno as the kanungu type must occur for government to learn how to take precautions. Is it only mindful of limiting political freedom and expressions?
In recent times, as would be expected of any religious organization, balokole now have a similar movement with structures that govern their operations, yet it was the same religiosity and related traditions that prompted their break-away from the main stream religious organizations.
And similar crimes as sex immorality, slander, power struggles and lavishness are about to create new phases of counter-liberation – to help harmonize moral activities in society. On the other hand, while harmonizing the concept of morality, there must never be prerequisite to surrender one’s power of reasoning.
It can be this same act that would act as a betrayal to one’s achievements and subsequently stall his or her progress in exchange to giving others the right to use their intellect to exploit, cause misery and social breakdown.
While using any amount of intellect, everyone must have an opportunity to positively advance his good intentions for the benefit of himself and the world –without ideas like custodianship of morality as to a particular individual or group.
And groups with ideas that in a long run make others poorer, con other of their money, carry messages that promote poverty, dehumanize others, selfishly assume the right to know whilst automatically turning others into fools, claiming to own god on behalf of others, block one’s success, are discriminative, violent and a danger to one-self and others must never be subscribed to.
History has given enough lessons to learn from. It is time to rise and eliminate foxes that masquerade or call themselves the beginning and end of success, wealth and good health (God or positive spirituality) in favor of shared learning and perception of the unknown (spirituality), as well as shared responsibility towards fulfillment of requirement to making progress in line with benefits attainable from links with positive spirituality.
Jacob Waiswa
Community Psychologist
Certain forces beyond his understanding, some of which he can describe, continue to side-by-side affect human life negatively or positively. It is upon this background that the concept of spirituality could be divided into positive spirituality and negative spirituality, which both strongly influences human perception and events.
No wonder, people at one point could belong either way or make decisions that aligned to the two sets of spirituality. And, with the consequences faced in pursued on any of the two spiritual systems, lessons are learnt that help transform individuals, communities and mankind as a whole.
However, experience has shown that those who choose positive spirituality of the two spiritual systems never failed. They always attained their goals in life transferable to many generations a head. The opposite would be so to those –who choose to live under negative spirituality.
Religions, as an organized way through which mankind attains positive spiritual needs to inspire those that are physical have often been abused. Man’s magnetic ego and manipulative drives have soon prompted him to hijack the organization and use it to serve his economic and political gains.
Of course, with determination, adoption of religious and Christian values and seeing them work through every aspect of one’s life –as basis for decision making and for common good, could go a long way to bring about harmony and social or world order.
However, focus on religiosity and/or Christianity cannot be enough to create such a desired outcome, but rather, it could be a platform of positive spirituality to govern the common destiny of mankind through the common challenges met.
While religiosity potentially generates conditions for conflict, positive spirituality on one could foster global unity, solidarity and collective actions towards challenges that affect humanity as a whole.
With religion, the genesis could be sparks of different ideas that get organized, documented and linked to spirituality in general to satisfy man’s needs. If so many different ideas are created with equally huge following, fanaticism phase would soon ensue.
The pride and arrogance could be alone a source of conflict as members of a specific section accept to tolerate only those they either share values with or are accepting to their religious dictatorship.
As membership to particular religious group they set rights and privileges for each other, and with, of course, a leadership structure similar to a company or political party –through which they assume custody of morality and claim an unquestionable guardianship over their following.
While they judge themselves as righteous, others groups, to them, are “sinners”, “immoral”, and “evil.” That could eventually be followed by a hate campaign against the other group; a big sign of pending violence.
Orphans, because of the vulnerable position they are found, are forced to change faith to adopt that held by the organization that oversees their welfare. For them, it is not a question of being Muslim or wherever, but a principled matter of following existing instructions at the orphanage.
This has been evidenced at virtually all orphanage institution manned by born-again groups or reformed churches. Experience in Busia as a child care professional has showed that children are discouraged from re-establishing contacts with relatives –fearing that doing so could reverse progress made at the orphanage, as christianization of every beneficiary.
But does one have to be religious to display proper character? And is being religious or Christian, alone, a depiction of good character? Isn’t a religious organization just meant to channel man’s expressions of goodness and irrationality –at the same time?
Imagine, mere differences in ideology being a root for violent confrontations –leading to massacres or genocide! Does morality only come with religions? Why wouldn’t reason come into play to compliment illogic and irrational religious practices, so that it turns out to be a combination of atheism and religious?
Much as atheism never accepts the vocabulary of God, as if declaring independence of mankind and show of human power, evidence has shown that they often used either the word Jesus, Christ or God in expressing amazement or shock.
As an economic vessel, more people are coming up with an idea of taking on offering religious rituals or services as a professional and for a fee. Numerous papyrus and mud structures –serving as churches, as can be seen in the suburbs and rural semi-urban areas have in recent years sprung up. And, indeed, in a few years time they become wealthy –riding on the fortunes of their following.
At some stage, especially after successfully achieving their economic goal, religious leaders would release their ego –to then want to own the congregation personally and easily manipulating them to meet his or her ego needs.
Unlike for a nations with tax collection departments, religious movements never share their revenues Instead are channeled to a project of one, or group of people doing business, while emphasizing to their congregation that it best to live poor so long as they continues serving “god” by giving to the project’s cause.
They pray for their following to become wealthy, so that upon determination to work hard and making money, it finds its way into the gown of religious leaders –who later become filthily and lavishly rich.
Why wouldn’t one instead give to the poor wherever, rather than simply helping make canning individuals rich –under the guise of religion? Surely, the power and benefits of giving can be realized even out side religious organization or setting!
Because of their unquestionable word as attributed to God’s or positive spirituality, their following could remain unsuspecting and ready to die for the pastor and his word. This is how rocky and sometimes deceptive religious cultures can be held by those who subscribe to them –regardless of the consequences (to them and others).
They make it a tactic or as part of initiation to have a potential member surrender his or intellect and logic powers for unfiltered orders and instructions, which prepares ground for newer worlds of irrationality in thought and behavior. No wonder, under mental health dispensation, the tendency can be categorized as a disorder.
That could be the same time when dangerous vices begin to crop up like alcoholism, discrimination, sex immorality, self-glorification, and show of greater masculinity and femininity among fellow men or women respectively. It is obvious that competition among fellow religious leaders could be inevitable.
Because traditional cultural infiltration or cultural-religiosity, the masculinity-driven religious leaders will want to assume total political power or participate in political developments.
Others contribute to division and violence in marriages –through promotion of gender inequity, discrimination and unavoidable or possible violence in the country as in homes. But violence in homes, alone, has been known to cause pychoticism and/or odd behaviors in adolescents and aggravated mental breakdown later in life.
Failure for religion to equally provide roles and responsibilities, equally shared by all men regardless of the sex, race, region and faith or belief has in turn failed efforts to pacify the world and protect the environment.
Religious pride, then, linked up with man’s greed to exploit and degrade the environment –without reservations as well as generation of conditions for conflicts, wars and misery. This could be calamitous if there was a marriage between religion and politics to give birth to political-religiosity (ies).
They will want to show individual worthiness and power –on the basis on their ability to do miracles or magic, size of the congregation, beauty of prayer houses and oratory powers, and wealth. This, alone, could trigger conflict scaled up suspicions, mistrust and insecurity of each other’s activities.
Evidence, however, has showed that positive values helped one develop a good personality ethic and character –which in turn directed him or her to important life achievement and assurance of more of the unknown positive outcomes (what could come from positive spirituality).
An example of such values could be; reconciliation, meditation or silent review of enriching values, courage in pursuit for the truth and good, patience and calmness when the unexpected strikes to cause draw-backs, determination, self-trust, healthy social relations (consisting of respect, cooperation, responsibility, understanding and caring) and focus on what is good, right and rewarding to one self and others. Researchers have shown that positive values came along with interesting healthy outcomes like reduced stress, strong immune system and high productivity.
The basic question, thus, is: can we achieve success, good health, wealth –through formation of nature-friendly ideals pursuable for the one’s better end –without having to join or getting harmed (psychologically, physically, economically and culturally) by practices of existing religious organizations?
In Uganda, as it were else-where in the world, due to the religious persecution in the pre-colonial times and post-colonial period between 1971 and 1979, a neutral faith cropped up, related but autonomous called balokole – the born-again churches. Like hyenas moving after lions, they mushroomed following liberation struggles against former dictator Iddi Amin.
But, most prominently, showed up when president Museveni –under NRM/A revolutionary guard came to power. As part of their program, the new regime in Kampala allowed freedom of expression. They never minded about having to enact policies that would govern the new faith movement.
Such a weakness was manifested itself when a former catholic cleric, Kibwetere led a cult that muted themselves with fire –to “have its membership go to the creator. Numerous other cults with independent constitutions too have sprung up in the country-side unmonitored by government –notably; Mukono district.
In the same way media reports have continued to highlight irrational activities within those unmonitored groups, but in the name of freedom of expression, government remains unbothered. Perhaps, another inferno as the kanungu type must occur for government to learn how to take precautions. Is it only mindful of limiting political freedom and expressions?
In recent times, as would be expected of any religious organization, balokole now have a similar movement with structures that govern their operations, yet it was the same religiosity and related traditions that prompted their break-away from the main stream religious organizations.
And similar crimes as sex immorality, slander, power struggles and lavishness are about to create new phases of counter-liberation – to help harmonize moral activities in society. On the other hand, while harmonizing the concept of morality, there must never be prerequisite to surrender one’s power of reasoning.
It can be this same act that would act as a betrayal to one’s achievements and subsequently stall his or her progress in exchange to giving others the right to use their intellect to exploit, cause misery and social breakdown.
While using any amount of intellect, everyone must have an opportunity to positively advance his good intentions for the benefit of himself and the world –without ideas like custodianship of morality as to a particular individual or group.
And groups with ideas that in a long run make others poorer, con other of their money, carry messages that promote poverty, dehumanize others, selfishly assume the right to know whilst automatically turning others into fools, claiming to own god on behalf of others, block one’s success, are discriminative, violent and a danger to one-self and others must never be subscribed to.
History has given enough lessons to learn from. It is time to rise and eliminate foxes that masquerade or call themselves the beginning and end of success, wealth and good health (God or positive spirituality) in favor of shared learning and perception of the unknown (spirituality), as well as shared responsibility towards fulfillment of requirement to making progress in line with benefits attainable from links with positive spirituality.
Jacob Waiswa
Community Psychologist
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