Editors Note

 SHOULD WE REJOICE OR FEAR

This month, April, contains two important dates. The first being Good Friday while the second is Easter Monday. According to different sources, Good

Friday (from the senses pious, holy of the word “good”), is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

The celebration of Good Friday is ancient, and the name “Good Friday” it is suggested possibly comes from “God’s Friday”. Although the exact reason for the current name is unclear it is largely believed that it derives from celebrating the good that Jesus died for us to be forgiven our sins.

As for Easter Monday, it is celebrated after Easter Sunday as the second day of Bright Week following the resurrection of Jesus.

Notwithstanding that one may not subscribe to Christian beliefs or faith, these two dates present an opportunity for those of us living in predominantly Christian countries who observe them as holidays to search our souls.

Thus, in their book, God is Back:
How the global rise of faith is changing
the world, John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge argue that “as the world becomes more modern, it is not becoming more secular...instead religion is surging”.

They continue to argue that this rising waive of faith is “fuelled by an American-style model of personal, customer-driven, aggressively marketed religion”.

Now as you read this piece, whether before Good Friday or later, let us have some introspection relative to recent events unfolding in many countries that seem to suggest that with the surging religion in the world so is religious intolerance and commercialisation of the word of God.

Botswana is one country that
has of late, and alongside an influx
of traditional healers from outside, witnessed the mushrooming of churches promising people this and that but from a subtle and yet powerful economic point of view. Like the two authors argue, people part with their hard earned cash or valuables to be “blessed”.

In other countries such as Nigeria, the situation is even dire. We have seen growing religious intolerance whereby Christians have and continue to be killed for their faith.

Then one wonders, should we fear or rejoice for this surging wave of religion? Who stands to benefit from this surge and what would eventually become of the world or religion itself as time goes on?

Is Botswana experiencing this mushrooming of churches as a response to our spiritual needs or are those behind this new phenomenon up to something we may not be aware of? I am asking these questions because eyebrows are being raised concerning the many churches that seem to crop up now and then. There is growing scepticism about having so many churches especially
in a country with a relatively small population like Botswana.

What’s with religious intolerance? Are we not going to see this coming to Botswana as competition for followers increases? Is this healthy for a small population like ours?

Consequently, I beseech thee to find the good in Good Friday as we introspect and carry the brightness associated with East Monday yonder.

 Thomas T. Nkhoma