Election is the time we seriously reflect on, how to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and render to God what belongs to God. For, election is a critical period, as Otto Von Bismarck said “People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election”. He knew what he was talking about for he was the first chancellor of German empire. The Dimapur Christian Forum in solidarity with all people of good will urges every voter in Nagaland, to use this God given opportunity to choose leaders who have served the society with integrity and common good of the people, and will uphold the Christian principles of dignity of the individual and freedom of Conscience. Every tree is known by its fruit. The top leadership of the national party that has left lose its fanatic fringe to intimidate, harass, and file frivolous cases against Christian leaders and Christian community in the rest of country should not dish out pious platitudes about ‘protecting the interests of the Christian Community in Nagaland’. The Christian Community does not need protection in Nagaland; it demands its rights as human beings and citizens in the whole country.
If some feel that the voice of the Church is too feeble in the face of money and muscle power, we know that to light a candle is better than curse darkness. The voice of the Church will be there to remind us that, failure to exercise our civic right is a failure to exercise our Christian duty. If my vote is not strengthening the base of basic human freedoms, I have not contributed to the development of the nation. The DCF calls upon every voter in the state remembering, “In each and every election, it’s your rights, it’s your freedoms, it’s your interests that are on the ballot.” Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.
Rev. R.P Murry, President;
Fr. Chacko Karinthayil, Secretary
