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Editorial

When 'Zen' meets politics...

The Young Reporter (2006, February), 38(05), pp. 11.
Author: Karie Lo Ka-wai. Editor: Bonnie Cao Yining.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0002259

Recently Bishop Joseph Zen Zekiun has adopted a high profile to criticize the government's apparent lack of determination to conduct political reform as well as the police's handling of anti-WTO protests. While some praise the Bishop for having the courage to speak up; others accuse him of mixing religion and politics.

Religion has been woven more deeply into the fabric of politics than ever before, though governments always advocate the separation of the two. Churches are becoming increasingly active in political mobilization.

Religious beliefs have moral and social implications. And it is common for people of faith to express them through their activities as citizens. The general public, however, seem to be sensitive to “religious intervention” in politics. It may be due to the negative political connotations associated, including playing power games, conducting smear tactics and conspiracies.

Last year The Young Reporter got a chance to talk to Bishop Zen. He said in our interview with him,” Whatever policies, or cases, that may harm human rights or freedom, become our business.” He identified the Church's duty as one of drawing the government's attention to social injustices, and then to help right the wrongs.

Regarding the participation of the Church in politics, the Vatican has stated “it is the Church's right and duty to provide a moral judgment on temporal matters when this is required by faith or the moral law.”

If religious leaders voice out their opinions on political problems, it should not be seen as a problem. People have their own opinions and so does the Church. Few governments would attempt to stop religious leaders from making what are deemed by officials as radical opinions anyway, as that could amount to hindering freedom of speech or harming human rights. Most of the time religious leaders do not challenge or interfere with the government directly, their words are influential enough to lead public opinions, especially among their fellow believers.

The mixing of religion and politics has a long history and it can be found in most western countries. After WWII all countries that had Christianity as their state religion abolished this tradition; religion would no longer intervene politics.

However on many occasions the Church and politics are still bounded together. Hong Kong media often portrait Chief Executive Donald Tsang as a devout Catholic, who goes to church everyday before work. Politicians' religious beliefs have become a yardstick for others to judge their personality and, in some ways their integrity, and their leadership. They may “rely on God's help” to boost their authoritative image.

In the last US president election, candidates' religious backgrounds became a focus. There was a slogan in George W Bush's presidential campaign,” Bush will be the president, as God is a Republican.” It was clear that Bush used this as a weapon to ridicule his opposition's endorsement of same-sex marriage and abortion. He was on solid footing with the conservative wing of the country's protestant. And it did help to spur on his campaign.

The Church has its stance and opinions on social issues. It seems impossible to separate politics and religions completely. Though the Church and the government are independent of each other, the two influential parties should open more room for cooperation.

Written by Karie Lo Ka-wai

Edited by Bonnie Cao Yining

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