Religion is an enigma in political, economic power

President William Ruto addresses faithful during a past church service. [File, Standard]

A recent visit to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia left my head spinning.

On checking the history of the country, I noted that when it was part of the old Soviet Union, the official religion was atheism. A big surprise to Kenyans who were very religious even before Christianity, Islam and other religions came ashore. 

Kyrgyzstan became part of the Russian Empire in 1876 and a Soviet Republic in 1936. In 1991, it gained its independence.

Why did communism ban religion when some countries had official religions? When countries such as UK had the King or Queen as the head of the Anglican Church? Closer home, why has religion become so integrated into our lives despite adopting the American constitution, which separates church and state?

In both extremes the state recognised the importance of religion. In communist countries, religion was seen as a competitor to state power. In Western countries, religion was seen as complementary to state power. Believing in something is the start of any action, from starting an enterprise, building an empire or even starting a relationship.

The communist system controlled the citizen’s way of life, particularly the thought process. How else would they be subservient to their leaders if there was a higher power? Just read George Orwell‘s 1984.

One under-researched issue is how atheism led to meaninglessness among the citizens in communist countries. What gave the citizens meaning? Was communism itself a religion, an aspiration to a classless society, despite some Utopianism?

Maybe we are too religious to think of a society without religion. It seems religion hibernated till the end of communism in the former Soviet republics. While the Soviet Union never made religion illegal, it put great effort to suppress it. It was a factor in some restive regions after the breakup of the Union.

Paradoxically, the post-communism chaos gave religion the impetus it needed as citizens searched for meaning.

What of Western and Asian countries? Religion gave the citizens a deeper meaning, whatever they did in their lives was bigger than self  and society. Think of crusades or jihads.

Whether it was conquering new lands or uniting different parts of the country, religion was a big factor. That’s why most European and Asian countries have a dominant religion, either Protestant, Catholic or Islam.

In the East, we also have Buddhism, Shintoism, Jainism and their variants. The late Rev Fred Welch (Contra) gave us a whole term to analyse world religions. In hindsight, I thought that was very foresighted.

We can’t forget our traditional religions, some still around. I noted that in my recent visit to Kit Mikayi. And facing Mt. Kenya is still common.

Religion was always good, trying to give the society meaning and purpose. Then came economics and political power, and religion took a different angle.

Leaders were quick to notice that religions could be ‘localised’ to justify their political and economic decisions. That is how different regions got different religions or sects.

Think of Orthodox Church versus Catholic, Sunni and Shiite Muslims, Judaism and Christianity. Closer home think of how many churches carry the word Pentecostal or Gospel. It seems naming churches needs creativity.

In Africa, every community had its religion or deities. Most were monotheistic, which made it easier to dovetail with Islam and Christianity. Does this explain why religions such as Buddhism or Hinduism have made little headway in Africa?

In traditional society, religion was on a pedestal, respected by the whole society, from the kings to the commoners. It took care of the supernatural, from rain making to handling and explaining natural calamities.

Colonialism subdued local religions. Their religion was more organised and some rewards were earthly. And they had political power to supplement the conversion - such as earlier jihads and crusades but more peaceful.

It’s possible the superior technology made Africans see mzungu as close to God. Think  of the gun, match stick, clothes or even reading and writing. More scary,  photography or the mirror.

A few local leaders saw the political agenda of  the church and broke away to start own churches. Remember independent churches and schools?  Some hot-button issues such as female circumcision led to further divisions. Some of the new religions borrowed from traditions. Christianity too borrowed from traditions; for example, songs. Islam does not seem to have absorbed local traditions and content.

After uhuru, the government did not use religion to control the population but each president had affinity for certain religions. What was Jomo’s church or religion? We know about the rest.

One curious observation since independence is proliferation of churches. Is that outsourcing mass control by the government since it registers the churches? The church controls our lives more than you think, from cradle to grave.

Religion was a big factor in Kenya’s 2022 polls. Many pundits believe the results would have been different without religion, mostly Christianity. Some think the ‘hustler’ movement mimicked religion or Marxism. Remember the class struggle?

Today religion has got closer to the state, which is paradoxical as the influence of religion has declined.

Will economic decline save religion? I noticed many Christians got converted to other religions during the Covid-19 pandemic. And the relationship between our affinity for religion and economic status are inversely related.

It was ingenuous to bring religion back to the mainstream during and after 2022 polls. What of 2027 and beyond? If not religion, what was the fulcrum on which the elections will rotate in 2027, something as emotional? Tribes?

Back to Soviet Union. Religion survived 70 years and has enjoyed revival. What is the future of religion in Kenya? Will it becomes more central to the governance of the country or decline?

Will it be saved by external powers looking for new converts in Africa, famous not just for natural resources but converts?

One thing is not in doubt, religion will remain an enigma in our socio-cultural lives, and lately economic and political lives.