Peter Espeut
PRIME MINISTER Portia Simpson Miller has declared that she was "ordained by God" as Prime Minister; and that all genuine Christians have a "duty to support her". These formulations are problematic
World history went through a period (called Feudalism) where Kings and Queens claimed to rule by "divine right" - and the God referred to here is the Christian God. This meant that God ordained "them and no other" to rule over their people with justice and mercy. Some local Archbishop - and maybe the Pope himself - would personally place the crown on the head of the new sovereign, confirmation of divine approval. To criticize the King is to move against God himself! These were the heady days of the unholy alliance between church and state.
It took a long time for democratic ideas to take root, as much because of the Church as because of the tenaciousness with which Kings and Queens held on to absolute power. The rationale for democracy was stated thus: "Vox populi, vox Dei!" "The voice of the people is the voice of God!" To act against a democratically elected government is to fight against God himself! Again, the legitimacy of rule is sourced in God's will, this time as determined by the wishes of the people at the ballot box. What is morally right is not determined by a show of hands.
'ORDAINED BY GOD'
To say that one is "ordained by God" in an electoral contest is to say that the other candidates are not; and that those who voted for any of the other candidates voted against God's wishes. Further, to have said that genuine Christians have "a duty to support her" because she is "ordained by God", is to relegate her opposition to supporting the devil! This kind of feudal language is not appropriate in a democracy.
I am going to put the Prime Minister's remarks in the best light possible; I am going to suggest that she was a little careless in her choice of words in saying that she was "ordained by God". She surely could not mean that "Vox Portia, vox Dei!"
The fact is that good Christians have a duty to be moral watchdogs. Sometimes this means supporting the Government, and sometimes it means opposing it. Sometimes one's Christian duty means opposing both the Government and the Opposition who join forces to do the wrong thing! The Prime Minister cannot avoid criticism by claiming special ordination. Unity is built not on fear but on consensus.
As for the scheme to put a minister of religion on every board - as member or chairman - I see this as a head-on attack on the present composition of public boards - and I agree wholeheartedly!
CLERGY COME IN ALL SHAPES
However, as a minister of religion myself I am fully aware that we clergy come in all shapes and sizes and denominations - sometimes supporting opposing moral positions strongly. I for one am quite happy for good Christian people - clergy and laity - to serve on public boards, and I know ministers of religion I would not like to see on a public board. Too many clergy are too dogmatic and dictatorial!
What I really want to hear from the Prime Minister is that she has decided to keep the party hacks off boards! Decisions must be taken based on the best available information, and in the public interest, and not to favour some private person or company or special interest.
And so our new Prime Minister has made a shaky start. I myself believe that she can recover, can draw on strength and inspiration from God to make important changes in this land. She owes the private sector nothing, the women's movement nothing, and most of her party hi-ups nothing. She has the opportunity to revolutionise politics and governance in this country! And she has my critical support until such time.
Peter Espeut is an environmentalist and a Roman Catholic deacon.
