Y, Thejangukho
We’ve already read scores of files with myriad views on Liquor Prohibition Act (NLTP) from various quarters which, we’re sure, will serve its purpose in the long run. And, so far the only common platform for everyone to share opinions publicly is solely provided by media houses who deserve our heartfelt acknowledgement. It’s with this privilege as well as the advantage of one’s basic right to express that this write-up is brought out to highlight some of my views especially on our roles and the church in particular with respect to alcohol prohibition.
The simplest yet the most neglected and compromised truth is that consumption of alcohol is genuinely personal, nothing more or less. It’s also an obvious fact that liquor singularly beset a rare status at the socio-cultural level since the earliest human civilizations with every known merit or demerit and that, the decision of drinking for an individual never pass through religion, society or politics. It is only one’s conscientious moral obligation in rapport with one’s physical and spiritual health that decisions are and will always be taken by an individual.
As for the state government, though it may have washed its hands off once, as did Pilat when forced to yield for the turbulent crowd, it also ought to carry its share of the blame for the lackisaidal attitude towards a law it endorsed even if it was due to external compulsion. In the same lane, it would be idiotic of us, I suppose, to fully blame our government for the failure of a forcefully imposed political law, without diligent inquiry as to whether organizations leading the prohibition campaign have done their homework.
Indeed, the church (NBCC) has always been the top-dog regardless of its modus operandi whenever we talk about alcohol prohibition not because we’re non-Baptists, non-Christians or vice-versa, neither Nagas or non-Nagas, nor alcoholics or teetotalers, etc. but, primarily because of our wrongly inculcated image of the church and society where pride of status, fame and money reigns preceded by the fear to raise a single voice of truth against some loud, roaring voices. It is because of such factors that we tag the church as ‘the most powerful organization’ every time while in reality, it is basically God’s powerhouse of spiritual lives and not of the physical or socio political circles.
To speak the mind out, our NBCC apparently took a reckless step too far into muddy political waters bullying and driving a people’s government to enact and implement a law with questionable strategy, and of late, making use of hoarse, unethical language odd enough for a deemed religious office. If the truth be told, it was the church who took liquor prohibition to the streets needlessly when the issue definitely ought to be confined within religion parameters, here the Baptist denomination to be specific. In judicious words, prohibition of alcohol or its abuse may be there in religion and its Book of Law but not beyond the said context. The other reality that God restricts abuse of alcohol is clearly enunciated in His Book but it also exemplified the goodness of alcohol all throughout, whereas the church has till date, portrayed only one face of the substance as a taboo and the root of most evil.
Out on the front, the church might have all along, patted itself doing a commendable job for the welfare of every Tom, Dick and Harry or Suzie, but at the same time, conscious of the stark reality that prohibition is almost, if not impossible unless it stems from an individual’s moral and spiritual being which subsequently encompass the people wholly. And I believe, so long as the mortal/physical and spiritual lives are well-coordinated towards eternity with God via the church – NBCC, Congress, DAN whoever, no regime or human race should require such laws.
Anyhow, there is also the probability that a particular church and her one-in-spirit members vow to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, etc. but even then, the said church can neither be dictatorial nor manipulate individuals when we view the other side of the coin. The church moreover, cannot exercise authority beyond its walls upon outsiders. Incidentally, this may be another reason for deploying the government to empty bottles, while in the process, lessen and ease the burden of the church materially which in comparison, could be a Jonah fleeing from his God-send purpose.
It is awkwardly amusing that the church could become the cynosure of all eyes and wanton gossip, plainly because of its myopic conduct with Prohibition Act when it was entirely political in nature. The church could have, instead, gone for a spiritual war-footing to arrest alcoholism as empowered biblically within its jurisdiction rather than waylay the general affairs of the people or the government altogether. It would certainly be much wiser for the church to present innovative ideas and suggestions hand-garnered from her spiritually fit flock to the government as and when asked by the latter, otherwise not necessarily with unsolicited impressions.
Now, what would be our reaction if some NGOs draft peculiar self-centred rules and compel the government to bow down, following the gallant path of the church, for this much-trumpeted Christian state of Nagaland. This aside, there is every possibility that the church may be required to lay equal emphasis with concrete measures at any cost for all other forms of evil viz., tobacco products and smoking, drugs, sexual immorality, abortion, corruptions, lies , envy, anger, fights, lust, theft, murder and so on as God noted in His Book. To cut short, let us not make a mockery of our religion any longer hiding the truth from ourselves, let alone others.
Beside loopholes and questions in our conduct and more so, the church, this dogmatic venture to see a pucca-dry Nagaland can even showcase rueful characters of us if one minutely ascertain the background and associated strategies of the organization who spearheads the movement. This is because India is a secular country where anyone can practice any religion and yet nobody, group or organization can dictate terms to another person or the country as a whole. Likewise, the Baptist churches may prohibit use of alcohol among themselves but there is no legality, be it constitutional or biblical, to bind followers of other religion or the people of Nagaland in a broader sense.
To be precise, a look at the history of liquor prohibition in Nagaland by the church depicts a rather sorry -scene; going all out with every possible means, even fasting unto death (of which I’m not sure if it’s biblically vindicated), just to corner the government for installation of a somewhat religious doctrine into a political law, and in addition, to implement it in letter and spirit without mercy favours. It’s my belief that all such acts by Christians totally contradict what Jesus exhorted and demonstrated as a leader and savior. On the other hand, it may be worth to reflect on the rampant atrocities by vested religious groups across India and ponder if our church/religion is also silently creeping nearer to be hot-listed among such organizations today.
Honestly, we must have a clear and concise knowledge and justify all the pros and cons with indisputable answers in relation to the issue at hand in order to reach a God-favored agreement. There can never be a deep-rooted consensus unless all the 99+1 on the ground unite in body, mind and soul till eternity. And, any other worldly process of unity beyond this framework, I believe, will be artificial and short-lived.
Once again, with all humility if I be allowed, the role of the church today, need serious contemplation and debates with the Good Book readily available on our desk for quick references. Of course, I’m none of a gospel-shouter or the like, but it’s long overdue that the church thoroughly set its house in order as God anointed and manifested through His Book. It would surely pay rich dividends if we read between the lines and diffuse confusion of religion with social, cultural or political ideologies.
The greatest responsibility of the church, I believe, is to contain, nurture and feed her members spiritually thereby morally strengthening them against mortal eventualities. Let us always remember the basics of our religion which of course, include preaching, praying, fasting, crusades, etc. but, above everything else, living the biblical Jesus to love and lead that counts forever.
(N.B. The writer also a Baptist member, most humbly apologize and beg forgiveness for the crude indecent approach to this issue and accepts complete responsibility if the sentiment of readers have been hurt from this personal opinion. The writer can be reached at thejayalietsu@yahoo.com)
