Lessons From A Dark Continent

I am currently reading a rather dismal book about the experience of Africa after it's independence from the various colonial powers of Europe. Africa is much worse than it was before independence in nearly every country (even Congo-Kinshasha, if that is possible). Besides this, I have taken some interest in the fact that China has blocked access to a blog from a teacher critical of the corruption of the Communist regime in China. What do these have to do with each other and with any lessons that we can use in our lives? Plenty.

First, the Chinese example. There is always a difficulty in knowing where to draw the line when it comes to freedoms. Even if one disagrees as to the extent of freedom of speech, press, and expression that should be allowed (and there is plenty of room where honest and decent people can disagree with these things), it is absolutely essential for the existence of a free society that people have the right to criticize their leaders enshrined with every protection possible. Why must one be so insistent about this right? Human leaders are fallible, and it is vital that their humanity be known, and that they be made accountable to the people they serve. Leaders can only be kept in check (and it is essential they be kept in check, for their own good, and much more for the good of the people) if they are exposed to the ugly, bitter truth every day of their lives. This is not pleasant, but truth telling is not a pleasant occupation. The Bible gives us the assurance that the truth will set us free--and it does set us free from any illusions as to our own righteous state (the truth does cut both ways, after all, exposing the truth about the critic as well as the criticized) as well as any illusions as to our superiority to anyone else. When a regime seeks to limit freedom of expression about its actions, it is absolutely certain that those tyrants are wicked beyond measure, and do not desire for their dark deeds to see the light of day.

What does this have to do with Africa, or with our lives today? When Africa became independent, these nations poor in education (except for a few standout groups such as the Ashante of Ghana and the Ibo of Nigeria) but rich in natural resources engaged on an experiment in socialism and one party rule where opposition was crushed, where corruption reigned supreme, and where rights were no more than the whims of petty dictators who enriched themselves while the people starved in fear. There were great theoretical comments about how democracy was "alien" and "inappropriate" for the situation of Africa, which demanded strong, hierarchial one-man rule that led to endless cronyism and corruption (if this government system sounds familiar to you, and you have lived in it, you know why it is so wicked--the truth satanic government is hierarchial government with one leader in charge of everything and a crowd of sycophantic courtiers around him). These leaders bought private jets for themselves, built mansions for themselves, lived the high life of jetsetting, cultural experiences, and hobnobbing with foreign leaders, while the common people got nothing. The end result in Africa has been, within two generations, the establishment of a continent without hope, unable to feed itself, dying of AIDS, riddled with crime and civil conflict, a continent that has been written off to the annals of everlasting despair and misery. It did not have to be this way, but the wickedness of Africa's leaders and the lack of education and righteous rebellion of the people of Africa have led to a situation that seems only salvageable by God Himself.

Does this have any impact on our lives? You bet. Contrary to the pronouncements of leaders who seek power and wealth and position for themselves, people are best served when they are free, and those who seek the best interests of the people they lead will not seek power for themselves. People are best served when they learn to be resopnsible for their own actions, and when they hone their own minds to properly divide right from wrong. This can only occur when people have no ability to abdicate that responsibility to leaders (something people are all too eager to do, because being a mature adult and making one's own decisions is a pretty scary thing). You see, the people of Africa are not too unlike us. The difference is that they had leaders who were all too willing to take power for themselves, and so the nations never lived responsibly, because their leaders behaved corruptly and behaved condescendingly to a people who desired to remain children. We must not allow that to happen to us. Whatever freedoms we possess can only be defended if we are brave, if we are willing to face danger, and if we are willing to stand up (alone if necessary) for our God-given rights. Churches, companies, and governments are all too eager to do our thinking for us, and to get us to abdicate our adult responsibilities by towing their line. We cannot let that happen, not if we wish to be free, or be pleasing to God our father, who desires godly offspring, capable of thinking wisely and independently.