Corruption in our society: Its response and responsibility of Naga Christian

In the era of foreparents fighting (head hunters) was a part of lives and nature all the time. The Nagas are strong built, simple, honest, and hard working. They also believed in the existence of a supreme Being who is the creator of heaven and the earth, and also believed in the existence of evil spirit whom they attempt to reconcile by offering sacrifices. However in times of prayer the Nagas’ addressed in supreme God the creator of heaven and the earth. When Nagas were still primal faith, the gospel of Christ came Naga Hills through the American Baptist Mission (ABM). The American missionary Rev. Miles Bronson worked among Nagas about 1842-1852 and taught them Christianity and sowed the word of God into the heart of Nagas, then the Holy spirit began to work in a every dynamic way among the Nagas. The spiritual awakening known as revival movement had changed the Nagas by 1950 Nagas turn to Christianity faith individually or whole society.
The coming of foreign missionaries to Naga Hills had opened the eyes of the people to see God more clearly, Nagas were transformed through the work of the Holy Spirit. The coming of Christianity in Nagaland have changed in every area, including traditions, beliefs, and lifestyles. However, on the other hand when Christianity was introduced with the people, Nagas were compiled to leave their own traditions, and asked to adopt foreign environment. And therefore Nagas have lost many good practices in the olden days.
When the growth of Naga Christianity took place, it produces many denominations are came up and that create lot of crises within churches. Churches are becoming more like competitive to one another. Church gives more priority to the outward appearance, rather than winning souls and spiritual growth. This is dangerous issues in Nagaland, because the more people looks on materials that’s also created more envy and began root causes of corruptions within churches.
Sadly, today it’s like a virus in our every Nagas, it began from unlimited wants of human beings with limited means to meet their ends, makes them use unfair means to achieve their goals. Always looking for easy money by doing shortcut work, the majority are from politicians, officers, social workers, government, employees, civil society leaders, even church leaders, nation workers and individuals etc. In many countries, corruption is caused by weak regulatory institutions, and enforcement practices. It is also caused by Government regulation and authorization, lack of transparency and quality of the bureaucracy. The inequality in the distribution of income is another factor affecting corruption.
Since, the top leaders are corrupted themselves so there are not willing to correct their sub-ordinates. The mentality of our people is that even things stolen from government or some NGOs are not counted as stealing. That is where corruption is a part of life in our present Naga society. and other hands the pressure and explosion of educated population and fewer
employment opportunities. Because most of the people were only to pleasing people to find their own way and not for society just love of money and searching easy ways to fulfil their dreams. Not a concern for others needs and problems. It shows that we lost our integrity and dignity. Our great, grandfather was respected and appreciated by others for their simplicity and honesty. We have become too materialistic and we are even grinding social acceptance and legitimacy to corruption.
So, day by day the faith of the Nagas are fading away. Nagas are influencing more and embracing by the beauty of this world rather than the beauty of Christ. Nagas become like Judas who betrayed His Master Jesus Christ. Here it say that (James 4:4) “Friendship with the world (materialistic) means enmity against God” Although, Nagas have lost the fear of God. Nagas have failed to equip the people with the word of God which to lead them to produce a lifestyle to see the beauty of Christ in their lives. but never use own talent and gifts to glorify God, and we know that God is all sources of our life, as we preach and teach others but not applying in life and this is what the word of God condemn. (Roman 2:17-24).
“ Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of litle children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge in truth- you then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonour God by breaking the law? As it is written: God’s name is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you.”
P. Wanmai Konyak D.Min (Scholar), Discipleship Bible College, Dimapur