The low price of oil has allowed the US/NATO and in another
sense the Saudis to consolidate power. Utilising the IMF and World Bank the
West can now twist the arm of a country like Nigeria and when austerity and
privatisation exacerbate domestic tensions, it will afford opportunities for
further intervention and concessions. It's nasty game, but that's how it is
played.
There is nothing new under the sun, but Sacralism changed the
ethics of Christianity and in its celebration of wealth and power we now have a
host of Christians participating in these actions. They might actually be on
the ground in the realm of business and diplomacy. Others will sit offshore
wearing the military uniform of the empire. Others sit tapping at a keyboard in
a skyscraper cutting deals and manipulating the financial markets to facilitate
and exploit these realities.
This is not the application of Christian Vocation, this is
not labouring to the glory of God and the promotion of His Kingdom. This is
gross usury, profiting from the suffering of others, generating income through
financial schemes rather than work rooted in integrity. They have rallied a multitude
of corrupt theologians who will happily aid in twisting the Scriptures to
support these practices and yet in the case of Nigeria the resulting social
tensions have pushed the country into a terrible civil war.
Religion plays a part to be sure but those on the ground
insist the real tensions are social, ethnic, rooted in resources, economics and
politics. Religion is the rallying point and as war destroys all decency,
creates and unleashes bestial forces, the religious arguments and justifications
prove in many ways the most simple and straightforward.
Boko Haram is a particularly violent group of Salafis but
their rise cannot be comprehended apart from the whole story and context of
Nigeria. And that story is one of many negative influences, exploitative forces
and sinister schemes... many traceable to skyscrapers and men in suits, and not
a few of them professing the name of Christ. They have blood their hands.
Perhaps they think they can wipe their mouths and proclaim they have done no
wrong? Perhaps they think no one sees?
Boko Haram is the spawn of hell but how much bloodguilt lies
on the heads of those who supposedly possess the Holy Spirit and have used the
holy name of Christ to justify their motives and ethics?
