Studies indicate Christian majority can help positively transform SA! 

Written by: Errol Naidoo
Article source: familypolicyinstitute.com

Arlene and I returned from the “Time2Rise” weekend event in Bloemfontein on 8 October encouraged by the inspiring and growing engagement of Christian citizens from across the country. Former Chief Justice, Mogoeng Mogoeng delivered a thought-provoking keynote address on 7 October. He also declared he “would be president of South Africa in God’s timing.”

Speaker after speaker bemoaned the tragic state of the nation and urged the Christian community in South Africa to utilise the power of prayer, Biblical convictions and their influence to rescue the country from its current disastrous trajectory – while we still can.

Interestingly, as South Africa deteriorates politically, economically, and socially – warnings are already being publicised regarding politicians using the Christian Church as a platform of influence (with the full endorsement of its leadership) leading up to the 2024 General Elections.

Everybody – except the Christian Church itself – appears to acknowledge the obvious, that South Africa is a mostly religious nation and Christian citizens, as a result, are highly influential – although currently unsure how to translate their majority into meaningful positive change.

In fact, the Pew Research Center (PRC) conducted a study of where the world’s most committed Christians live. The study found 79% of those who identified as Christian in South Africa indicated “religion was very important in their lives.” Which means it dominates convictions and actions.

Leadership consultant, Craig Bailie argues, “Churches should welcome politicians as guests, not speakers of influence.” He writes, “Many will agree that belief in a God who instructs people in how they should live is a powerful source of motivation for human behaviour. In South Africa, therefore, religion broadly, and the Christian church congregation more specifically, is a significant platform for accumulating and exercising power within and beyond the church building walls, with consequences for Christian and non-Christian South Africans alike.”

Several speakers at the “Time2Rise” event lamented this fact. The Christian community, by virtue of its overwhelming majority in South Africa should be a force for good in the nation. Tragically, however, the reality is Christian citizens are more influenced by political rhetoric than the Bible, thereby failing to fulfill its Biblical mandate to be “salt and light” in a dark and decaying society.

What Bailie is essentially warning is Church leaders being manipulated by corrupt politicians to further their own nafarious ends. Instead, Church leaders should use their platforms of influence – not to elevate themselves – but for the good of the country and its long-suffering people.

A “General Household Survey” found that 86% of South African citizens identify as Christian (many of these may be Christian in name only). However, taken along with the Pew Research findings it still indicates that Christianity has a major influence in South African society. It is estimated there are 36,000 Christian Churches of various denominations in South Africa.

Significantly, however, when one considers the dismal state of the nation, these statistics serve as an indictment on the Christian Church. The question I am often asked is; “If South Africa has a majority Christian (influenced) population, why is the country in such a hellish state?”

For example, the staggering rates of theft, fraud, money laundering and racketeering in the public sector has rendered the country a “mafia state” rather than a “highly religious state.”

A new report researched by UCT on “The Impact of Child Poverty in SA” indicates that eight million children are suffering from severe malnutrition. This is happening in a country with the largest economy in Africa. Poverty is deepening for millions of vulnerable citizens because the ANC regime’s primary focus appears to be looting the treasury for its own selfish and wicked ends.

Now Parliament’s “Ethics Committee” has absolved various ANC officials of their roles in the blatant looting of tax-payers money. All of them are implicated in corruption in the Zondo Commission Report. The EFF’s Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu were also absolved from receiving millions from the looted VBS Mutual Bank despite overwhelming evidence of guilt.

As the economy teeters on the brink and poverty deepens, the lines at high-end Louis Vuitton and Gucci stores are growing longer. Many Churches erroneously teach these symbols of wealth are an indication of God’s blessing. This sanctification of the love of money and the flaunting of its carnal trappings is partly responsible for the merciless fraud  and theft of tax-payer funds.

Instead of providing platforms of influence to corrupt politicians, the Christian Church and its leadership must use its considerable influence to rescue the nation from impending failure. The Christian community at 86% or the “committed” 79% still indicates an overwhelming majority.

This Christian majority must use its influence for the good of the entire country. The Scriptures declare, “Righteousness exalts a nation” Proverbs 14:34. There are many righteous citizens in South Africa according to several studies. These citizens must boldly initiate the country’s revival. The alternative is too ghastly to contemplate. As a result, change will be unavoidable in 2024.

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Date published: 10/10/2023
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. Artwork adapted from unsplash.com

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