Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Yes. When a leader admitted its weakness and shortcoming with full of dignity and honesty, it sensed that there is inherent awareness of social change for the betterment of the society.
• Yes. But at other times also we admit our failures but the question here is can we change for the better? We are good at lectures but do not walk the talk. We are not admitting the truth.
• Yes. The narrative of the NBCC has slowly been changing under the leadership of Dr. Keyho for the better. From a point of submission and humility, we can move forward...and the admission coming from NBCC has a strong message for other apex organizations, leaders, all of us
• Irrespective of whether it is our Naga apex civil societies, NPGs, tribal organisations, political parties, the state government or the various denominations. Our collective and individual egos are enormous. NBCC coming out to admit its shortcomings is a very significant gesture. Every Naga should appreciate their humility and give the finger pointing and blame game a rest. Infact, other organisations, political parties and the government should also come out and do the same. We have all failed one way or the other.
• Yes. I appreciate it very much that there are still people in an organisation that had sadly been losing the faith of its members, making an effort to correct. It will not be an overnight change as there may still be many who will resist the call for change, but at least the right step is being taken and I hope church leaders will hear this admission and make an effort along with their congregations to genuinely change. We have to start somewhere in any corner, however insignificant it may seem. Well done NBCC for the admission and the call...
• Yes. A true admission is based on acknowledging ones failures and then doing what is right.
• Yes. However, hitherto it is apparent that the NBCC, in dealing with socio-eco-political scenario, has adopted a reserved approach. Given its mandate which I believe is still strong, there is a need for a revamp in its approach. Take for instance, the Clean Election Campaign (CEC). A revamp would mean introducing the campaign in villages instead of Kohima. NBCC, through its various branches, could have chosen each village in each district as a model village and launched the CEC simultaneously. This could have had a much greater penetrating impact and face value, given the scenario in our villages. Yet, because of NBCC’s disconnect it does not seem bothered to take opinions. Hence, any change that NBCC proposes to initiate MUST start from the villages wherever possible. CEC has immense potential as harbinger of change, and I support it. But the approach of NBCC, in general, needs a revamp and restructuring.
• About time!! "If you are wrong, own up to what you didn't do right. That's how you learn and earn respect".
• Yes. NBCC has been for too long leading from behind. Now we'll see if it's capable of leading from the front.
• Yes. This is the way to do it. Acknowledging one's own failure and mistakes is the first step forward. In our Naga society so many of our organisations need to own up for their mistakes, but they keep justifying all the time. We the public are not so dumb. We may keep quiet and silent but it does not mean we don’t know what is happening. This is a big step. I hope the NBCC will not stop here. They need to not only admit their failure, but seek forgiveness from the people and take corrective steps.
• Many churches in Nagaland is a failure churches, not meeting the truth gospel, not feeding the poor in spirit. That’s has no power even the small lie led into truth. Wealth has over power the churches, wealthy peoples dominating the pulpit and the church administrations. The proxy vote and money power thus played a very important role in Nagaland because many Christians and church leaders fail to understand the truth's gospel. NBCC admission was totally based on truth. We needed the honest and true man's of God to lead our people into Canaan.
• Yes. Thank you NBCC for your bold confession. This is what we were all waiting for.
• Yes. The churches in Nagaland can do many social reforms since all the citizens are the members of church. Infact, we cannot do as exactly as Mizoram church since they are centralized but in our own way we can, as did for Prohibition, unison voice for clean election. Likewise, there are many areas where the church participation is very much anticipated by the masses.
• Yes. At last the ROOSTER had crowed. It is Judas who must be churning in his grave. Akin to his betrayal to His Lord, our Churches were no less in their inability to voice against corruptionists.
• Yes. The church had confessed. Now, it’s the People who form our Govt & Bureaucracy should follow suit. Eve had confessed, now Adam too has to agree on the wrongdoings they were committing till now. The illegimate father had confessed. Now let his bastards come forward.
• NBCC must show how to stop sinners from sinning. Preaching 2000 years old stories from the Old Testament every Sunday morning will not be enough to instill guilty conscience into our already filthy loaded minds of Govt & Bureaucracy top minds. They may sit in the front pews of every sermon, but their minds are all wandering what Monday can do to inflate their wallets.
• Preach the code of righteousness and truthfulness... Not the stories of Abraham & Moses...every kid already knows the story of Father Abraham. Church preachers should get to the practical aspect rather than just blabbering to know all stories every Sunday's.
• Yes. So heartening to hear from NBCC....it appears the present Govt has no fund to present the NBCC officials this term. That's why the confession. There was always a nexus, but NBCC too has stomach to fill, the present TR govt had failed to get the percentages cut for our NBCC. Nagas are so naive, this confession appears too true, but in reality, it is a revenge.
• Yes. Real Christian should be honest in acts and speaks and start again from where we left
• Yes. Absolutely … they have a very big obligation to the masses … But the big question is, “Is it another show-off again?” People have lost faith in the church leaders ... when they opt for the rich, which is a fact … Havent the church leaders heard of Mizoram?
• Admitting that NBCC has failed is a start which is good. After this what’s the next step is yet to be seen. Everyone can admit and say we have failed but many stops the buck there. So there should be a U turn of events after saying it has failed otherwise it will just be words to appease the people. And words anyone can say, but it’s the action that follows that matters. NBCC on the other hand being the spiritual body has set a good example for the State and the people by its humility in saying they have failed. This in itself shows the real calling of our Heavenly Father. Humility. Respect to them and I believe break through will happen in other influential areas of our State. There is Hope. Thank you Rev. Keyho for being a channel of blessing.
• Yes. Its commendable for NBCC to realise their miserable failures in their last Clean Election campaign. Hope Rev. Dr. Z. Keyho and his team would bring a positive change.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• No. It is not enough to admit. If NBCC is serious they need to issue a press statement where they clearly say that they have committed wrong and are seeking forgiveness from the people. Till such an official statement is passed, I doubt it.
• No, it’s just another gimmick
• No. NBCC has really messed up for many years. They have lost public trust and faith. The admission of past mistakes is a good start, but it is not enough. More has to be done. One time admission cannot wash away everything.
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• I was rather shocked when the fact was admitted after such a long time; hope that guy didn’t get a good trashing from his colleagues. Now that the beans have been spilled there cannot be a better opportunity then this.
• The electoral malpractices cannot be changed overnight. But a beginning needs to be made. An honest admission by the Church for its role and responsibility is a good beginning. We all need to participate and support.
• Failure is the pillar of success and admitting failure by the Church is a Greater Victory for the Kingdom of God. But the question here is has the Church learned from its mistakes?
• The failure of the Church is a collective responsibility, and to come of age Nagas have to say no to nepotism, corruption and individualistic mindset has to go.
• Hope so...hope was lost ... hope WAS lost ...hope was there...hope will be there now...hope hope IS not lost again...elections of hope is coming..
• I agree with Dr. Keyho that Naga Church has failed to reign on reckless wayward and unethical practices that stifled growth and development of the State. No one questions anybody from top to the bottom. Everyone is individually focused to gain wherever they can. That has basically become our way of dealing; it’s almost a competition who can exploit more. Their blind actions are hurting everyone. But Naga Church is not the primary actor. They cannot be blamed as an institution every single person in Nagaland must take responsibility. We must stop today free handout from elected officials. They are not our bank. Government Contractors or private of all kinds must cease 50-60% profit base operation. Their work must be guaranteed for 10 years. No one must be above the law including elected official, bureaucrats, underground or overground and even church leadership. Our community must take responsibility. As Christian faith is not simply a fire insurance to go to heaven but a commitment to live our faith in the world. To practice faith everyday not just on Sundays. Church must do some serious teachings at the base. Our schools from K to Graduate school must teach ethics and civic responsibility along with prayer. Accountability and integrity must start from each of us from top to the bottom otherwise we will be discussing the same corruption and bad roads and electricity 50 years from now.
• We talk about corruption poor governance poor development bad roads etc etc… but when someone or some org or body or union etc start doing something good we point our fingers at them with all the negativity esp. with "ism" if one does not belong to that Union or organisation. This is really hampering our progress. NBCC admitted that it has failed in the clean election campaign but the question is who has failed it?. Who cast the votes? Are we a part of the problem or a part of the solution? Fighting corruption requires more than govt policy laws tool legal system, it requires moral values etc We need role models campaigns and many approaches to educate the people to inspire young generations to change the mindset of corrupt people. Various levels, orgnisations, denominations is needed to impart values of ethics
• Is Rev. Z. Keyho declaring this "failure" in his personal capacity or on behalf of NBCC? Before the Naga people reconvert to animism by losing faith in Christianity, the NBCC must review, ponder and repent its folly. And if possible, reshuffle or change its set of corrupt leaders. Or, if the present church leaders are admitting their guilts and failures, it is good time for them to resign and give chance to others who are necessarily not "Reverends" or "Doctors" but who are true servants of God!
• Resign is not a viable solution, for it is not a political office. But the church leaders can collect relevant issues on the failures and discuss ways to correct and reform and redirect their focus and public stand.
• We as a human it is very difficult to admit our wrongs and say sorry. Much appreciated for their humility. Now is the time for every Naga organisations and individuals to retrospect /introspect ourselves and be humble. High times we Nagas stop blame game and UNITE for good, before all we Nagas are doomed.
• Today NBCC is seen more like a political party. Has to retrospect and be a real church that works for God. Don't expect favour and don't favour the rich and the mighty.
• A sign of humility first of all and the plea to courage to take up the cross.
• Reconciliation failed, clean election campaign failed this show this show among the NBCC leaders to many are into politics then truly working for what it has started good for society, time has come for NBCC to say goodbye to old system and adopt new system of church policy which is good and favour by Nagas.
• Simply because a church faces so many problems, some of which are apparently dealt effectively, it does not mean it is a failed church. It consists of imperfect individuals who work for a perfect God because He does not need His servants to be perfect. Yes NBCC could do a lot better but it is natural for the human components to occasionally malfunction, disagree or go astray like in the story of Paul and Barnabas. Calling the church a failure and its members hypocrites to justify yourself is an indication that your faith lies in imperfect men and not the perfect Saviour.
• NBCC needs to come clean. Yes, admitting its failure is a start, but we need to also remember as Christians we are the Church. And if we put aside or Christianity during elections and do all sorts of underhand things where is the question of Clean Election! If we want Good Govt it starts with us, the electors. Elect upright people. Nagaland for Christ should not just be a theme.
Suggestions for concrete remedial measures that NBCC can take
• 1. Remove the membership of those Church members named in corruption cases. 2. Remove the membership of those involved in sale or import of alcohol. 3. Refuse the tithes of those members who own property and assets which are higher than their known source of income. 4. Let the contesting candidates swear before congregation and God that they will not use money and muscle power during or after elections.
• Who is a church? Church is us. Why NBCC failed? Because we failed. What should be done? We should all start changing instead of pointing at NBCC because it is just a name and the real NBCC is us .. Remedial measure? Remedial measure is you and me changing.
