Interfaith Reflections on the Fight Against Corruption (original) (raw)
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According to Transparency International, Africa is the most corrupt region in the world. In South Africa, there is an annual 'loss' of about R30 billion as a result of bribery and corruption. It would appear that it is exactly the poor and the vulnerable who suffer most under the scourge of corruption. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of corruption on victim(s) and to evaluate it in an effort to formulate solutions as to how such individuals can be guided and supported in the suffering and hardship that they endure and that specifically emanate from corruption. In the research, an effort was made to move away from the trend of the fragmenting of aid and to present guidelines or suggestions that can lead to a global solution, where multidisciplinary involvement can be facilitated. The researchers agree that the church can play a key role in this, and the solution was sought in the principles expounded in 1 Corinthians 12. The research method known as action research was investigated as a workable method to be used by the multidisciplinary aid team in their struggle against corruption. In the final instance, the principles used by Touching Africa in their work were investigated so that these could also be used in the quest for a solution.
Coetzer en Snell Practical theological perspective on corruption
This article aims to delineate the basis-theoretical and meta-theoretical perspectives on the phenomenon of corruption. It defines solution-based pastoral markers should the research indeed establish a definitive role for pastoral theology in addressing this serious societal ill. Thus it attempts to scrutinize the dynamic factors associated with the phenomenon of corruption in general and as it pertains to South Africa. It also examines the views of both Scripture and related disciplines on corruption, then compare some of the current solutions proposed in the literature on dealing with it. Furthermore, it determines and practically delineate the role and parameters of practical theology in an attempt to address the issue of corruption. Finally, one of the following hypotheses is accepted: Firstly, Practical Theology has a distinct role to conduct in rooting out corruption within society. Secondly, Practical Theology has no defined role in assisting with the eradication of corruption within society.
A Practical-Theological perspective on corruption: towards a solution-based approach in practice
Acta Theologica, 2013
This article aims to delineate the basis-theoretical and meta-theoretical perspectives on the phenomenon of corruption. It defines solution-based pastoral markers should the research indeed establish a definitive role for pastoral theology in addressing this serious societal ill. Thus it attempts to scrutinize the dynamic factors associated with the phenomenon of corruption in general and as it pertains to South Africa. It also examines the views of both Scripture and related disciplines on corruption, then compare some of the current solutions proposed in the literature on dealing with it. Furthermore, it determines and practically delineate the role and parameters of practical theology in an attempt to address the issue of corruption. Finally, one of the following hypotheses is accepted: Firstly, Practical Theology has a distinct role to conduct in rooting out corruption within society. Secondly, Practical Theology has no defined role in assisting with the eradication of corruptio...
Corruption and the Role of Religion in Public Life, w. Postscript 2017
This piece was originally written for and published by the Public Services Commission of South Africa in 1999 (reference below). Almost 20 years later I have updated what I wrote then, mostly in footnotes, partly by means of a postscript, at a time when corruption is entrenched at the highest levels. Previously frowned upon in public, thanks to complicit actors in many sectors including government, corruption is now close to being normalized.
Roots of Corruption: A Christian Philosophical Examination
CMS Consultation, UBS, Pune, 2013
At the root of the corruption problem is its moral and economic nature. The economic problem is a moral problem. Modern theories of corruption are usually empirical in nature. However, they are not without their ideological dimensions though in the modern scheme of things, a normative framework is usually not rationally entertained. Empiricism combined with materialism takes on the reins of economies; however, disregard of the spiritual will not bring any lasting solution. A vision of the absolute is needed. There are various ideologies and religions that provide some kind of a vision or the other. The biblical vision is both historical and prophetic as well. And, the Church is called to be the model of that vision in this pervert and corrupt world.
Constructing an Anti-Corruption Theology
Exchange, 2014
This article responds to survey findings and observations indicating that the role of religions in resisting corruption is insignificant. Corruption in many Asian countries is a multi-dimensional problem and has penetrated all sectors of society, including religious institutions. Religions do contain valuable ethical resources implying anti-corruption positions, yet every religious tradition tends to emphasise a particular dimension of societal life and therefore fails to provide a comprehensive anticorruption theological framework. With respect to Protestant Christianity, synergising ethical resources in conservative-evangelical, neo-Pentecostal, and the mainstream traditions is needed to construct a multidimensional anti-corruption theology.
The Church in the context of corruption: A case of the Church of Christ in Zimbabwe
HTS teologiese studies, 2024
The study poses questions about the potential of the Church's voice, through the case of the COCZ, in the context of corruption in Zimbabwe. It pushes for the Church to reclaim its authentic status in order to root out corruption and have relevance in the Zimbabwean communities' lived experiences. Religion has always claimed higher ground in ethical and moral issues, but there is scanty literature on the COCZ's role in combating corruption in Zimbabwe. The study maintains that the Church has a consequential opportunity to either drive the agenda to end corruption or lose relevance due to perceived complicit attitudes towards the same.
Poverty, corruption, and religious opportunism in Africa: A Neo-Pentecostal perspective
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
In an ideal context, religious tenets are perceived as antithetical to corruption on all fronts. Sadly, Africa takes a frontline in religious activities, yet is bedevilled by corruption aided poverty. Viewing some Neo-Pentecostal practices with the lens of contemporary Marxism hypothesis, and philosophical consciencism of Kwame Nkrumah and Fela Anikulapo, this article examined the role of religion in the spread of poverty in Africa. It further held that while a few religious leaders speak against corruption aided poverty, institutionalised and deliberate strategic plans have not been set up to combat corruption aided poverty. Subsequently, through strategic and implementable recommendations, this article serves as a wake-up call for Africa's religious institutions to jettison alliance with corrupt political entities and support anticorruption crusades in Africa. Contribution: Employing the multi-play of Sociology, Economics, Philosophy and Theology, this article contributes to the interdisciplinary and international research of HTS Theological Studies.
A theological ethical perspective of corruption in Mozambique
2016
I give gratitude to the Almighty God for this opportunity, and the energy and knowledge to complete this study successfully. Everything I did was by His grace and power. Therefore, I glorify Him with everything I do. The patience of the supervisors during the process of guiding me through this study gave me the endurance to finish. Thus, I acknowledge Professor JM Vorster and Dr MA de Oliveira for their wisdom. May the Almighty God bless you greatly. Also, I thank the Instituto Superior de Estudos de Defesa (ISEDEF) that permitted me to take time to do this study. I believe that the institution will in the end not be sorry for permitting me to study theology while the country is dominated by atheist ideologies. God has been working His miracles to introduce Christian thinking into the Mozambican public services. Lastly, I give special thanks to my parents, colleagues and friends who helped me spiritually, morally, physically, and to those who contributed to supply in other needs so that I can accomplish this aim. iii DEDICATIONS This work is dedicated to all Mozambican people who suffer as a result of corruption. However, I want to put special emphasis on dedicating the study to the following people: Christians who serve Christ in truth and are called all kinds of depreciative names as a result of their faithful commitment to the cause of righteousness. I dedicate the study to them as a form of encouragement to continue their work in spite of corruption, so that they can fully serve as light to the world. The public servants, politicians, private employers and common citizens who, by strength of their ethical convictions, avoid becoming involved in corrupt acts. This dedication should serve as a gearshift so that all these persons become actively involved in combating this evil. Finally, all those who directly or indirectly feel the negative effects of corruption in Mozambique. All of us are together invited to do something to reduce its negative consequences.