Rev. Frederick John Fred Nile speaking at the symposium held at the NBCC Headquarters’ office on December 3. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 3
A symposium on ‘Church and Politics’ with Australian politician Frederick John Fred Nile was held on December 3 at the NBCC Headquarters’ office.
Organised by the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum, the symposium was moderated by Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, President of the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum and attended by Pastors, seminary teachers, politicians, public leaders and executive members of NJCF who discussed on the role of the Church in politics and challenges confronting Naga society today.
Australian politician Nile is also an ordained Christian Minister who initiated a Christian political party known as Christian Democratic Party. Sharing his personal journey in politics as a Christian, Nile stated that he was faced with much criticism from Christians when he was first elected in the State senate in 1981. Despite criticisms, Nile went on to become the longest serving Parliamentarian in the Upper House of the Australian Assembly. Speaking on initiating the Christian Democratic Party, a socially conservative political party in Australia, he maintained that the party was based on the ‘word of God’ and the ‘fruits of the Holy Spirit.’
Nile mentioned that his political interest grew when he was a seminary student. Admitting the challenges of standing firm in Christian beliefs as a theological student, he mentioned that the challenge was far greater in politics with the concept of secularism, which in his opinion has saturated the political field for ages.
“Most politicians tend not to bother to talk about the Bible nor do they live out their faith in politics,” he observed, while stating that his religious beliefs have been the defining factor in his political decisions.
Niles has been a vocal representative of the Christian faith in politics in Australia, where he has voiced out strongly on issues that goes against the Bible and his faith.
While strongly opposing moves to provide rights to the LGBTQ community, Rev. Nile is also known for speaking against the mistreatment of the Australian aboriginals by the country, personal experiences of which were shared during the symposium.
Dr. Mazie Nakhro, who also spoke, considered Nile’s presence as encouragement for Church leaders and politicians while also sharing the situation that Naga people are going through. “Politics has become mixed up with so many things,” said Nakhro, pointing out the issue of corruption as a major challenge in Naga politics.
Vipralhou Kesiezie from Kohima village also raised discussions on the issue of corruption. Meanwhile, former MP Khyomo Lotha shared the view that ‘politics is not bad’ providing a brief timeline on the emergence of corrupt practices in Naga politics. “We need to take politics more seriously. I don’t think politics is bad, only that people involved are not good. Politics is mainly to run a government for the welfare of the people. We need more good people in politics. We should not keep ourselves isolated from politics,” affirmed Lotha.
“Australia is also not free from corruption but just because others are involved in wrong practices Christians should not be caught it the web. This is a challenge which Christian politicians will always face,” remarked Rev. Nile while advocating that Christian politicians have double role to play, to act right and bear witness of the gospel.
