The Church and its neglected role

Source: The Church and its neglected role – DailyNews Live

Patson Dzamara      5 February 2017

HARARE – Two pastors are in Harare’s Remand Prison, not necessarily on
religious grounds but political. Did I just say political! Yes I did. It
is almost a taboo and surreal but that’s what it is.

Clergymen Evan Mawarire and Patrick Mugadza are behind bars on frivolous
charges against the State.

Even though I have deep regard for these two gentlemen for joining the
likes of Ancelimo Magaya in making it their business to  advocate for
responsible governance, this article is not about them but you and me.

In this age of unprecedented religious theatrics, manipulation and deceit,
it’s hard to come across bona fide religious leaders.

One of the parameters which anyone can use to ascertain the authenticity
of a religious leader is their relationship with the truth.

Anyone who capitulates from the demands of the truth is not authentic.

The truth is not always convenient and palatable. Therein lies the dilemma
and most people fail the truth test. That’s why most of these religious
leaders compete to give President Robert Mugabe and his minions praise
even though they are aware of the injustices being presided over by that
gang.

I therefore boldly state that in as much as the illegal arrest of the two
pastors is unfortunate, it is very necessary.

From the abduction of my brother Itai Dzamara to police brutality and
senseless arrests of citizens including the two pastors. Do not get me
wrong, I am not hereby endorsing evil. I have been arrested, tortured and
persecuted several times myself.

Zimbabweans have been raptured in their false sense of security and
contentment for a long time.

They certainly needed an exhibition of all this in order for them to wake
up.

I recall feeling all alone at times while fighting the unquestionable ugly
hand of injustice embedded in the morbid abduction of my brother Itai.

Some people would even avoid associating with me because according to them
I was no longer “safe”.  I have always posited that the church has let
Zimbabwe down because they pretty much assumed an indifferent posture in
the face of oppression and injustice.

I hope that recent developments, especially the arrest of the two pastors
will awaken the sleeping giant – the Church.

Here is what we all need to know.

In the Zimbabwean context, there is no constituency that is as big and
more influential as the Church. Not even any political party. God has his
own ways.

The battle has been taken to the church itself and the Church can no
longer confine its role to praying and singing heavenly hymns in their
sanctimonious posture.

We certainly need the voice and influence of the Church on our way to the
promised land.

The church should be the catalyst and it must preside over the transition
to a better Zimbabwe. With that in mind, we can conclude that what we are
witnessing is a necessary evil.

We need this for us to get off our butts and fight for a better Zimbabwe
together.

After all is said and done, this calls for unity.  All progressive
movements, including the church, pro-democracy organisations and the
opposition must unite against the oppressor.

If we can’t unite, speak with one voice and work together, this therefore
will be recorded as just the beginning of the gnashing of teeth and a
major painful step towards a heartbreak after the 2018 elections.

If we choose not to act selflessly, drastically and decisively, we are
going to endure the pain of oppression all our lives.

More and more people will be arrested. Blood shall be spilled and lives
shall be lost.

*Dzamara is leader of the Occupy Africa Unity Square (OAUS) movement.