In contrast to the previous blog here is a letter from Pastor Miguel at Emmanuel Baptist Church in El Salvador:
PASTORAL REFLECTION FOLLOWING THE ELECTION FOR MAYORS AND DEPUTIES MARCH 12, 2006
The latest events in our life as a nation: the electoral campaign, the actual elections and their results require reflection, especially when the nearly equal results mean that both the electorate and the winning parties must revise their position and reflect on their new political practice.
– It is obvious that the results need to be interpreted not only within the scope of the electoral campaign but within the wider scope of our reality as well.
– These almost equal results for ARENA and FMLN in the election tell us something. Both parties, at the moment, do not have a sufficient level of credibility or attraction for the electorate that it is possible in the short term to achieve any major political advantage. As well the political dynamic is a draw or tie with tendencies to try to trick or trap one another.
– With respect to the electoral campaign, its nature, far from attracting people, provoked weariness and disgust even to the point of repulsión. It gave the impressión that each party had absolute authority which allowed them to say whatever they wanted without thinking about the consequences of their words. The campaign was loaded with deadly comments that praised one side while putting down the other. There were false suggestions, intimidations and fear-mongering as well as demagoguery. Frankly, the campaign, with very few exceptions, was confrontational with few positive suggestions, falling often into the vulgar and shocking
– We have said that along with the Offices for the Defense of Human Rights and for the Consumer, we also need an Office for the Defense of the Electorate. It is simply not permissible that general citizens should be the object of harassment, intimidation and manipulation during an election campaign. Everything indicated that the premise of the campaign was confrontation, discounting any possible constructive or alternative propositions to address the real problems of the citizens.
– To this unenlightening and empty campaign is added another grave and delicate element, the political participation of the “citizen president.” We cannot ask him to silence his sympathies and party interests, but we can ask that he not dismiss his role and abuse his investiture, leaving his responsiblities as head of state in order to become an activist and propagandist for the ARENA party. This cannot be permitted, even less so when it results in the most serious violation of the law. The president must answer to the nation for this contempt for and violation of the constitution, which is the highest law of the Republic
As civil society we have the right to demand of the parties and their leaders, seriousness, responsibility, objectivity and above all, honesty. Civil society in all its sectors must assume a more active participation, more decisive and influential. The political task – the subjects of municipality and nation are not to be managed or driven exclusively by the politicians and their parties.
– The trade unions, the community associations, the professional colleges, the social commentators, the universities and OURSELVES, THE CHURCHES have the full right to express our opinión,. We can propose things and point out the things that are not going well and which will not help in the construction of a more democratic country. El Salvador’s expression of democracy must be a more everyday thing than a “just on election day” democracy. All citizens have the absolute right to criticize when the efforts of the state employees do not respond to the interests and well-being of the country, only to the interests of one group or party which has been the common story of this country forever.
I remember when we wanted to construct our school building, It was submitted for competition. All applicants to the competition presented their best proposals and the winner had the most functional one, in harmony with the space, with structural design advantages and the most reasonable costs. Reviewing and reflecting on this and given these electoral results we immediately conclude that we urgently need a reform of the system of political participation in its totality
This is especially true when we see that the electoral processes and the campaigns which are part of them only serve to provoke confrontation and do not help build consensus. Even less do they create visionary coalitions with the purpose to help and empower the building of democracy in the country
– Beyond this electoral scene is another scene with other dimensions. I think if all the energy invested in the speeches, in the painting and posting of propaganda, in caravans, in publications were invested in confronting the problems that are affecting the whole nation; poverty, unemployment, delinquency, violence, lack of opportunities, etc. we could change things. Not only are we investing in this adverse situation which is damaging the life of thousands of families in our country, but also we would become able to channel the efforts of all those who say that they want “a better El Salvador”
– The major challenge for the political parties is not to get more votes one from the other, but to come together in order to understand that working for a better country is the job of everyone. Right now this dream seems impossible, but the last thing the real story of our people, this story of poverty, of misery and lack of opportunities, needs is confrontation. Our people are waiting for a decisive and determined effort to address this reality.
–
For this we feel that it is good to remember the prophets, among them Joel. This young prophet of Judea was reflecting on and analyzing the critical situation of his country. Because of plagues which destroyed their crops the social and economic situation of his country was further aggravated. Meanwhile their social, political and religious leaders were living in a disorderly manner, indifferent to the pain and suffering of their people, in idolatry and sinfulness.
The call of the young prophet is “To Return to God”, to search for God with a broken heart, to leave behind the sin of selfishness and insensitivity, to ask God’s pardon. For in the search for a better country the best ally is the God of Justice, of Grace and Peace.
“Then you will know that I am with you, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.”
Joel 2.27
Rev. Miguel Tomás Castro
Pastor Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel
Vice president of the Life and Peace Institute
Headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden.
March 17, 2006.
Wandering Thoughts 2 