Business in the name of religion should be discouraged
Nyanbemo Lotha Naga: I write this with much anticipation as to how many people out there will actually subscribe to my view point but lately I could notice that many organisations are resorting to “maximum returns with minimum investment ” kind of initiative(s). However, initiatives of such nature is tolerable to a certain level in the realm of a secular domain as one has the liberty to accept or decline unless of course the one selling the ticket or lottery is someone whom you do not have the courage or the qualms to disappoint or unless you owe them a favour of a similar kind. But the liberty wears thin when it is something that relates with a religious organisation and some groups who are smart enough to realise its scope are wasting no time in tapping its immense potentiality to the core. Now if you are struggling to come to the same page with me, I shall gladly paint it in black and white...well this could be a little uncomfortable to discuss publicly but someone somewhere must be having the same thought or the same feeling as me and therefore on behalf of everyone out there having the same thought I shall put myself in the line of fire by spilling the beans.
Few months back, a youth group from a church (not mine) sold us a dinner pack ticket worth Rs 1000/- and no doubt it was tasty but it wasn’t worth even half the amount paid. Nonetheless, it was the first time so made a little fuss about it and left it to be forgotten but again after a few months a similar situation arose and all my efforts to decline it politely made no significant impression and I found myself involuntarily debited of another thousand rupees. A miser some may say, but a hard earned money cannot be spent so randomly like that; to be honest my day’s earning do not amount to a 3 digit number and had it been an “in aid of something really genuine” I would have given in but there is nothing as such. Now this is just one example of how some of our religious organisation(s) are resorting to raising funds through religious extortion (excuse the term) in spite of being the ones teaching and preaching against extortions and bribery. It is fair enough to know that funds are required to meet the ever growing expenses of the different activities of a church/ministry but it makes little sense to cover up maximum expenses through quick and easy fixes. Something which you could get in the market for a few rupees should not be sold at hundreds.
I do not say that fundraising events and programmes should be limited to secular sector alone, but it should be done within the limit of reasoning and decency so that an organisation do not achieve its purpose at the cost of the financial instability of its benefactor as everyone is not well off to pay such exorbitant rates for simple things. We all wish to see our church rising to greater heights but that should come through hard work and integrity; as the fruits of hard labour are always the tastiest and the most satisfying compared to those easily earned or acquired. My sincere apologies if my honestly felt opinion has hurt the religious and spiritual sentiments of anyone but I felt this is one topic we should all seriously introspect. After all, business in the name of religion is not healthy for a Christ centered church.
Imti Temjen: Just because revealing truth (though maybe bitter sometimes) does not mean we are anti-Christian or sinners. I hear people say that it’s very difficult to meet up monthly expenses through salary and mission works for active full time church workers. But, remember as a true believer I feel it shouldn't be a problem and doesn't have to stress much, as true faith and prayer will help any obstacles and needs arising in church. For it is His Holy House and God will surely take care of His own people and its place.
Kohima village: Mission of Connection, Correction and Direction
Robert N Solo: The Kohima Village has turned to a new page and created history. On August 29th, a team was led by our chairman Medoselhou Keretsü and proceeded towards Chiechama village for CONNECTION, CORRECTION and DIRECTION. We reflected upon our past mistakes and apologized for the hurts we have caused knowingly or unknowingly. Keretsü recalled the old vow of our ancestors and said, "As long as Sun and Moon shine, as long as there are smoke on the mountain and as long as water flows in the river we will be friends.” Our chairman Keretsü has decided to write a new chapter of our history by righting the wrongs through honesty towards where are wrong. He told, “Let us be honest about where we are wrong not where others are wrong. If they cannot be honest then that is their problem not ours, we will just do what is right and leave the rest to God.” Dear Bloggers, let's pray for this great man who is sending a profound message to the Nagas and the world.
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