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For the past seven years, Zambia has been a "Christian Nation" according to the declaration of the Republican President, Mr. F.T.J. Chiluba. And with the 1996 passage of amendments to the Zambian Constitution, the country is now officially and constitutionally declared to be a "Christian Nation."

But what precisely does this declaration mean? And what difference does it make in the ordinary lives of Zambian citizens?

According to the 29 December 1991 declaration at State House, Zambia is "a Christian Nation that will seek to be governed by the righteous principles of the word of God. Righteousness and justice must prevail in all levels of authority..."

And the words of the Preamble to the Constitution, as amended by the Parliament of Zambia in May 1996, now officially "DECLARE the Republic a Christian nation while upholding the right of every person to enjoy that person's freedom of conscience or religion."

LACK OF CLARITY

I think that this declaration is very unclear both theologically and constitutionally.

Theologically, what does it mean to say that a political entity such as a nation is declared to be Christian? Certainly, you can’t baptise a nation -- or even all ten million of the inhabitants of a nation! You can’t expect the profession of the Apostle’s Creed to be made by a nation. Nor can a nation as such perform a liturgical act of Christian worship.

And where in the Bible is there such a precedent for declaring a nation Christian? It cannot be the text cited in the presidential declaration, 2 Chronicles 7:14, since this refers to an act of repentance and dedication of the Temple by Israel, not a formal arrangement to make a nation Christian -- whatever that might mean.

These are the hard theological questions that, unfortunately, neither the State nor the churches have thought about in a way that would bring clarity and understanding.

President Chiluba, in his declaration, stated that his action was to "submit the Government and the entire nation of Zambia to the Lordship of Jesus Christ." And in his very strong critique of the questions raised in a 1995 television interview of Father Umberto, the then-Vice President, General Miyenda, asserted that those who attacked the declaration really were attacking the Lordship of Jesus.

Surely there is need for profound theological study, discussion, debate and clarification around this declaration. To date, such serious treatment of the issue has not taken place. I am afraid that the churches of all different denominations are to blame for not taking up their responsibility to address this topic in a substantial fashion. It has been left to politicians, journalists, outside crusaders, and an occasional Zambian preacher to probe the theological meaning in a not too satisfactory fashion.

Constitutionally, there is another very serious question: what is the legal significance of the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation? Does this legally establish a formal state religion? Does the inclusion of the declaration in the Constitution thereby preclude a Moslem or Hindu or any other non-Christian from becoming President? After all, the oath of office requires the President to uphold the Constitution, and would we be asking a Moslem candidate to put her or his conscience to the test of Christian support?

Some difficult legal questions about implications of the declaration arose immediately after the presidential action when the Minister of Communications banned Moslems from appearing on Zambian television! Fortunately, the President Chiluba intervened and rescinded the order, responding to the outcry of the main Christian churches that this couldn’t possibly be what was expected to be done as a result of his declaration. After all, religious freedom is guaranteed in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

But there is still a very disturbing unclarity in the legal status of the declaration, especially since it has been raised to a constitutional status through inclusion in the Preamble. There is considerable danger that non-Christians could feel "second-class" in this Christian nation. They could easily have worries about their full citizenship -- especially given the current heated debates over "Who is a real Zambian?"

The Mwanakatwe Constitutional Review Commission recommended against the inclusion of the declaration in the new constitution. The President rejected that recommendation (as well as the bulk of the Review Commission’s work and its suggestion for a process of widespread deliberation and approval). The Commission argued that such a declaration might divide the nation and was not necessary to make religion prosper.

LACK OF CONSEQUENCES

Given the serious theological and the constitutional questions about the meaning of the declaration, what can we say is the difference that it makes in the lives of ordinary Zambians? What consequences has it had? A lot of people are asking that question and it deserves serious reflection and not simply political bickering and religious vagueness.

One difference that the President hoped it would make would be that Zambia would be especially blessed by God. In his declaration, the President stated that there is ample biblical evidence that "a nation is blessed, whenever it enters into a covenant with God and obeys the word of God." Moreover, the President hoped that this declaration would mean an end to corruption and bribery.

It is certainly not being politically partisan to observe in an objective fashion that during the past seven years, the blessings of economic prosperity, political stability, and social development have been rather scarce in Zambia. And the establishment of strong patterns of honesty and accountability throughout government have been very difficult.

We have continued in Zambia to enjoy relative peace, certainly in comparison with our neighbours in Africa. For this we should be thankful to God! But the drastic decline of the economy under SAP reforms, the immense suffering of the 70% to 80% of the population living in desperate poverty, and the shock of attempted coups, constitutional crises, and widespread apathy and cynicism have significantly shaken the well-being of the country.

I believe that for Zambia to be a Christian Nation requires much more than presidential decrees, church services and pious sentiments. As we are sharply reminded by Jesus, not everyone who shouts "Lord, Lord!" will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of the Heavenly Creator. (Matthew 7:21)

That is why the Catholic Bishops, in their Pastoral Letter, "The Future is Ours," issued in March 1992 as a message for the new government of the Third Republic, commented:

"We are aware, of course, that a nation is not Christian by declaration but by deeds. Zambia can be a ‘Christian Nation" if Zambian Christians follow Jesus in a life of love and respect for one another, a life of dedication, honesty and hard work. In particular, we must follow the example of self-sacrifice, even unto death on the cross Philippians 2:8), which enabled Jesus to preach the Good News to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, and lift up the oppressed (Luke 4:18-19). It will only be in the deeds of justice and concern for the poor that we will show the Christian character of our nation."

What is the ordinary citizen to do if she or he wants to be a true Christian in a Christian nation? It seems obvious that high priority must be given to a politics of responsibility and an economics of justice if Zambia is ever to move forward, Christian nation or not. Less demand for prayers and more demands for honest hard work; less songs of praise and more actions of fairness; less pious exhortations and more effective work for the common good.

In its "State of the Nation" report at the end of 1997, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) lamented the exploitation of religion by many political leaders today. This is a shameful effort to claim God’s approval for whatever policies and programmes a particular party puts forward, because this is the party that brought about the Christian Nation declaration. And even more shameful -- and dangerous to the development of true democracy in Zambia -- is to characterise as the "forces of Satan" whoever would challenge the policies and programmes of the government.

Being a Christian is first and foremost being a follower of Jesus. it doesn’t mean belonging to a particular political party, or even belonging to a particular church. It seems to me that the test of whether or not I’m a follower of Jesus is whether or not I do the works that he was about, under the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit. And from the pages of the Gospel, it is clear what these works are: love of neighbour, care for the sick, reconciliation of sinners, challenging injustice, feeding the hungry, comfort for the widow, education for a good life, encouragement for youth, sacrifice of life for others.

Today in Zambia, this is going to require personal involvement with families and neighbours at the local level to improve our national conditions. Moreover, it will require taking an active role in politics -- e.g., voting, supporting a candidate, running for office -- because it is through political action that the direction of government policies occurs.

Being a Christian in a Christian Nation? That’s a real challenge!

Peter Henriot, S.J.
02/12/98