S.Thangboi Zou, Shillong
I just don’t see any reason to regard anyone in our community a 'first or second class citizens' or as such. Since I strongly believe that there is no social class or hierarchy in our society/tribal. Instead they (the Clergies) are highly looked upon as the shepherds for the people, so much so that they are the one to set exemplary of good conduct and morality to their sheep. Their role in the society is so important that most of the people just believe and uphold whatsoever they teach, especially in the remote areas.
There is no question of being looked upon as 'the puppet of society' excepting by some unscrupulous politicians for their vested interest. If that is the case, they themselves are to blame, because they choose to be done so. The power and extent of emotional influence they ingrained to the perception of the people is sometime too awesome and too awful, that the letter frequently do not know what they are following and what/which path they are taking. What I want to mean here is, what ever they say is full and final, perhaps divine!!! for the illiterate and uneducated people to the extent that e.g. a red chicken can be seen as black in color if the pastors, Evan, etc. say so. So, it would be highly advisable that they take the precaution more carefully among the vulnerable citizen of our society. This is one important factor of church disintegration and fragmentation engineered by many fanatic leaders/clergies, where the laymen can do little with their limited capabilities and knowledge, and are brainwashed by the former.
The argument about functional idea in our context is debatable. The factionalist Mr. Weber strongly views that there is Structural differentiation in the society in the sphere of Roles and Function, which is opposite to Marxist view of egalitarian society. Indeed, there can be no fully egalitarian society on earth as well as in Heaven (for each person shall be rewarded according to his/her labor). But, Weber furthers that Worship and Religion are essential to social cohesion and stability (besides, seeing heaven/salvation) . There are two main essences in this world for mankind: Society/Secularity and Religion. It is not wrong to argue functionally that one should not involve in the other, but it is equally not wrong that one should look to the other as an example and not wrong again that both should go hand in hand. One should remember that they have mutual and interactive relationship in a rather small society like ours. Something that takes shapes in one sphere gets reflected in the other end, so can't really escape and get rid of the other. This shows the organic relationship of the Two. Let's expect our theologian-clergies to put this essence into practice.... ????
Looking back to our problem, we should well remember when and where we humbly began. Everyone of us including our Zou frens from USA,UK, CAnada, etc. all begin from our land- may I have the honour to call it ZOGAM. Just living temporarily as migrants (legal or illegal) outsides should not indicate that "we are on the verge of going beyond our socio-cultural arena". It merely reflects the character of an upstart and immature being. We are bound to return to our land one fine day. Then, do we mean we have to reintroduce and come to terms with new socio-cultural arena once again? If that is so, it will be the most ridiculous things and implies a sense of perceptual immaturity on one's part.
Anthropologists emphasize that there is no superior or inferior culture, each culture is unique in its own way (even God doesn’t do). Only what matters is adaptability and adjustability, which means that we can't practically go back to our ancestral cultures and try help adapt in this modern culture. Of course, almost every one is westernized at present, perhaps, more in the outlook and material, but we ought not to forget that we have our own rich culture-folks, etc which is inherited by our forefathers and mothers, which I (not by anyone in the universe) regard superior or inferior to the Americans or Europeans, or Orientals or "mainland" Indians. Culture is Culture. And it's our duty to preserve it, if we think we are educated.
The administration of our Church is of course democratic and autocratic too. This in fact is the ambience of the clergies and if the Church has adopted/become such character, who is to blame? Is not the jurisdiction of the so called clergies? or whom would you and I blame? The farmers or the laymen in the villages? No. If the institution of the church is corrupt, who is the corrupt person? The workers, and who are the workers? In that matter, can we expect any right thinking and alert citizen of the concern society to remain a mere spectator without murmuring a voice? And we like to question, how long all have to keep mum, while some sections are playing around something 'nasty' with the people and worse of all in the Name of Almighty? It a blessed thing that the concern authorities amicably solved the problems while some personalities/ clergies( not all) in our Churches happen to go astray, by suspending them of their role, and best of all to Almighty who knows so well
how to deal good with them.
Lastly, not least, we would like to express our humble view that, we have high hopes on our new generation theologians among our society, to whom we, the sheep, look forward to a new and transformed society/churches ushered by them with the capabilities they gain not just from their study of the environment and culture they used to be in, but above all from God who anoint them. We can't ignore the fact that they have immensely contributed for the uplift of our society in letter and spirit. But still go on expecting that they may be the exemplar and precedents to the poor and downtrodden people, "who look and expect to them anything and everything". Let them be the sources of all spiritual knowledge and salvation to the people. Above all, warn them, not to misuse their 'functionally awarded roles and positions', otherwise, face the annoyance and wrath of the people and most of all God almighty.
Just personal views, thanks.
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