The Essence of True Reconciliation
(Top) Convener of Forum for Naga Reconciliation Rev. Dr. Wati Aier. (Bottom) Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio Dimapur, May 30 (MExN): Convener of Forum for Naga Reconciliation Rev. Dr. Wati Aier in his address to the Naga Hoho Assembly today dissected some of the burning points of contention that are in virtual contest by and between various sections of the Naga political spectrum. Rev. Dr. Wati Aier made special reference to the contentious issue of ‘reconciliation’ as well as forgiveness and “collective sin” in the Naga context. He also pointed to the tendency to ‘unknowingly’ bring harm in the process of involving in carrying out agendas, through self-justified “arrangements” or organizations. Rev. Dr. Aier emphasized on the essence of reconciliation as motivated by truly Christian ideals. He said that reconciliation in its initial phase is not about “merging” and “emerging” identities: “It must be brought to bear in mind, in Naga context, that Christian reconciliation in its initial phase is not about merging and emerging. To be sure, it will be safe to say that while reconciliation is occurring, each organization remain in its post without being disturbed.”
The leader also made a strong call to resist the politicized version of ‘reconciliation.’ Rather ‘reconciliation’ in its essence is not subject to party or monopoly. “In the Bible, reconciliation means, ‘setting right broken relationships and restoration.’ Reconciliation is solely the work of God in the cross of Jesus Christ. No party has a monopoly on reconciliation. Nagas must resist a politicized version of reconciliation. Christian reconciliation is not about power play nor is Christian reconciliation about being sapped into something else” Rev. Dr. Aier reminded. ‘Reconciliation is not a sign of weakness rather, it is all about courage and character leading to wholeness and restoration’ he added. He also cautioned against using reconciliation as a cover, a diversion to avoid the truth. “Reconciliation is not to be used as a cover, a way to avoid truth about ourselves and about our Naga nation and about what we have done.” The leader then pointed out the fundamental prerequisite is to change attitudes and values to impact true reconciliation. “Healing, which will last, will never happen unless those attitudes, values, and institutionalized justification that produced painful and sad and angry fallouts are acknowledged. Our affirmation must have an adequate basis for values, vision, and goals which can provide the motivation, direction and self-criticism necessary in bringing about healing” he reminded.
“To be sure, no party has a monopoly on reconciliation. For this, space must be provided for the parties concerned, who are at conflict with one another, to review their own finitude and redefine their path into the future. It is here that the biblical truth of reconciliation must be accepted: Because God sought us first and in response we are reconciled to Him, we in turn, without any pre-condition forgive our fellow brothers and sisters.” He noted the ease of criticizing others but not finding fault with one’s own self. This is difficult, he acknowledged, and said self-criticism remains a challenge to Naga Christianity. “To begin with, self-examination is a difficult task. We are ready to give full justification for our actions but point fingers to others as the sources of our problems we are faced with. Many well-meaning individuals, public and church leaders and national workers resist self examination and this accelerates conflicts. This is a very serious challenge to Naga Christianity” he said.
Referring to “collective sin,” Rev. Dr. Aier pointed to the tendency to ‘unknowingly’ inflict pain and injury on others, while involving in destructive social and political “arrangements.” The ideological direction and agenda carried out through organizations (or “arrangements”) would seem justified, overlooking the evil built in the system. “Often, we become involved in destructive social and political arrangements without being aware of it. We are not aware of the anger, pain and harm we inflict on others when it is done through the organizations or institutions or parties we are part of. The agendas and ideologies set up to justify and defend one’s organization has a strong grip on its constituent members thereby, clinging tenaciously to the agendas and ideologies of an organization by making it seem right and justified, while easily overlook the evil and sin built into the system.”
Referring to ‘bitterness,’ the leader also made a pointed reminder that most of man’s problems are of his own creation.” “This simple statement hits the nail squarely on the head. We are the cause of most of today’s Naga problems. Among others, one of the deep problems among the Nagas is bitterness. Bitterness refers to a spirit that refuses to be reconciled” he said. “First, we must recognize it (bitterness) for what it is – a sin. Being a Christian means, ‘getting rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Eph 4:31)’” he said.
The leader also made a strong call to resist the politicized version of ‘reconciliation.’ Rather ‘reconciliation’ in its essence is not subject to party or monopoly. “In the Bible, reconciliation means, ‘setting right broken relationships and restoration.’ Reconciliation is solely the work of God in the cross of Jesus Christ. No party has a monopoly on reconciliation. Nagas must resist a politicized version of reconciliation. Christian reconciliation is not about power play nor is Christian reconciliation about being sapped into something else” Rev. Dr. Aier reminded. ‘Reconciliation is not a sign of weakness rather, it is all about courage and character leading to wholeness and restoration’ he added. He also cautioned against using reconciliation as a cover, a diversion to avoid the truth. “Reconciliation is not to be used as a cover, a way to avoid truth about ourselves and about our Naga nation and about what we have done.” The leader then pointed out the fundamental prerequisite is to change attitudes and values to impact true reconciliation. “Healing, which will last, will never happen unless those attitudes, values, and institutionalized justification that produced painful and sad and angry fallouts are acknowledged. Our affirmation must have an adequate basis for values, vision, and goals which can provide the motivation, direction and self-criticism necessary in bringing about healing” he reminded.
“To be sure, no party has a monopoly on reconciliation. For this, space must be provided for the parties concerned, who are at conflict with one another, to review their own finitude and redefine their path into the future. It is here that the biblical truth of reconciliation must be accepted: Because God sought us first and in response we are reconciled to Him, we in turn, without any pre-condition forgive our fellow brothers and sisters.” He noted the ease of criticizing others but not finding fault with one’s own self. This is difficult, he acknowledged, and said self-criticism remains a challenge to Naga Christianity. “To begin with, self-examination is a difficult task. We are ready to give full justification for our actions but point fingers to others as the sources of our problems we are faced with. Many well-meaning individuals, public and church leaders and national workers resist self examination and this accelerates conflicts. This is a very serious challenge to Naga Christianity” he said.
Referring to “collective sin,” Rev. Dr. Aier pointed to the tendency to ‘unknowingly’ inflict pain and injury on others, while involving in destructive social and political “arrangements.” The ideological direction and agenda carried out through organizations (or “arrangements”) would seem justified, overlooking the evil built in the system. “Often, we become involved in destructive social and political arrangements without being aware of it. We are not aware of the anger, pain and harm we inflict on others when it is done through the organizations or institutions or parties we are part of. The agendas and ideologies set up to justify and defend one’s organization has a strong grip on its constituent members thereby, clinging tenaciously to the agendas and ideologies of an organization by making it seem right and justified, while easily overlook the evil and sin built into the system.”
Referring to ‘bitterness,’ the leader also made a pointed reminder that most of man’s problems are of his own creation.” “This simple statement hits the nail squarely on the head. We are the cause of most of today’s Naga problems. Among others, one of the deep problems among the Nagas is bitterness. Bitterness refers to a spirit that refuses to be reconciled” he said. “First, we must recognize it (bitterness) for what it is – a sin. Being a Christian means, ‘getting rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Eph 4:31)’” he said.
Need of the hour: Work for Understanding
Dimapur, May 30 (MExN): Against the backdrop of the spurt in factional clashes and tension in the state, especially Dimapur, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today called upon the people not to undermine the Naga political issue by terming it as mere law and order problem since ‘factional clashes are political in nature’.
Rio, in his address as the chief guest at the 9th Naga Hoho General Conference at Peren district this morning, expressed deep concern over the factional clashes in the land and said it has created difficult times for the people. While asserting that the need of the hour is for all sections of Naga society to work towards understanding and oneness, Rio however, affirmed that factional clashes are political in nature and must be handled differently, unlike law and order problems.
“This stand of the State Government had been vindicated and conformed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India, while issuing the SOP guidelines in January 2008,” said Rio adding that the government of India accepts the “fact that the Indo-Naga problem is a political issue and that is why there is a ceasefire agreement and dialogue.” “Therefore, we must be careful not to undermine the Naga political issue by terming it as a mere law and order problem,” said Rio.
About the unification and reconciliation process, Rio said that the state government has always supported and will continue to support all efforts towards unification, which are broad based and inclusive, of the underground national workers, . Asserting that there is equally a need for unity amongst the mainstream societies as well as the undergrounds, Rio appealed to the people of “eastern” Nagaland to rejoin the the Naga Hoho and the Naga Students’ Federation.
He maintained that the 9th Naga Hoho general session is of special significance since it came at a time when the Naga society is undergoing a period of difficulty and pains due to fratricidal killings within the Naga family. This he termed as the most worrying aspect of the present Naga society. He urged the tribal hohos and the mass-based civil societies to carry forward the voice of the Naga people.
Asserting that the Naga people want the killing to stop, Rio said any person or organization that professes to represent the interest of the people should also listen to their voice. He suggested that instead of fighting here, the people should focus on the ‘Naga family in Myanmar’ so that they also get some political recognition which will pave way for their socio-economic uplift.
Rio, in his address as the chief guest at the 9th Naga Hoho General Conference at Peren district this morning, expressed deep concern over the factional clashes in the land and said it has created difficult times for the people. While asserting that the need of the hour is for all sections of Naga society to work towards understanding and oneness, Rio however, affirmed that factional clashes are political in nature and must be handled differently, unlike law and order problems.
“This stand of the State Government had been vindicated and conformed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India, while issuing the SOP guidelines in January 2008,” said Rio adding that the government of India accepts the “fact that the Indo-Naga problem is a political issue and that is why there is a ceasefire agreement and dialogue.” “Therefore, we must be careful not to undermine the Naga political issue by terming it as a mere law and order problem,” said Rio.
About the unification and reconciliation process, Rio said that the state government has always supported and will continue to support all efforts towards unification, which are broad based and inclusive, of the underground national workers, . Asserting that there is equally a need for unity amongst the mainstream societies as well as the undergrounds, Rio appealed to the people of “eastern” Nagaland to rejoin the the Naga Hoho and the Naga Students’ Federation.
He maintained that the 9th Naga Hoho general session is of special significance since it came at a time when the Naga society is undergoing a period of difficulty and pains due to fratricidal killings within the Naga family. This he termed as the most worrying aspect of the present Naga society. He urged the tribal hohos and the mass-based civil societies to carry forward the voice of the Naga people.
Asserting that the Naga people want the killing to stop, Rio said any person or organization that professes to represent the interest of the people should also listen to their voice. He suggested that instead of fighting here, the people should focus on the ‘Naga family in Myanmar’ so that they also get some political recognition which will pave way for their socio-economic uplift.
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