Opinion: What is the objective of the Christian within the Chilean constitutional debate? » The Voice of Maipu

One day, at the university, I was studying for the subject “Medieval History” and I was reading the book “History of Christianity” by Manuel Sotomayor and José Fernández Ubiña (2005). They in chapter VII, when Constantine speaks and the triumph of Christianity in the Roman Empire on page 330, point out that “for Protestants, the reign of Constantine marks the beginning of the end of evangelical spirituality and the transformation of the church into an earthly power increasingly disinterested in the salvation of people».

These words gave me a lot of meaning in the current process that we are experiencing in Chile on the exit plebiscite, on approving or rejecting the new Political Constitution and, in that line, the evangelical people are not alien to this debate.

On the one hand, there are those who reject the proposal for a new constitution because they find it “anti-biblical” for touching on points that have historically been of conflict for the most conservative, in addition to ideas that have been spread such as that the evangelical people will not be recognized and they will lose religious freedom, among other things.

And on the other, there are the brothers who call for approval because it ensures more social justice and, consequently, increases the dignity of people.

This debate raises several questions for me: Why should we be concerned about the draft of the new constitution on religious freedom? Why should a Christian be concerned about the political debate? Why do evangelicals seek recognition in the new political constitution? The answer to these questions should be only one, which is to seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness, while the rest comes in addition (Matthew 6:33), and we will argue it by answering, in any case, the three questions in this opinion column.

First, the issue of religious freedom was mentioned. Let’s see what the current constitution and the proposal for the new Magna Carta tell us:

The current constitution of Chile in chapter III in article 6 tells us the following:

“Freedom of conscience, the manifestation of all beliefs and the free exercise of all cults that are not opposed to morality, good customs or public order. Religious confessions may erect and preserve temples and their dependencies under the safety and hygiene conditions established by laws and ordinances.

Churches, confessions and religious institutions of any cult will have the rights granted and recognized, with respect to property, by the laws currently in force. The temples and their dependencies, destined exclusively to the service of a cult, will be exempt from all kinds of contributions” (1980).

That is, the current political constitution ensures religious freedom. And what does the new proposal for the new constitution say? In article 67 it says the following:

“1. Every person has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and worldview. This right includes the freedom to profess and change religion or beliefs and their free exercise in public or private spaces, through worship, the celebration of rites, spiritual practices and teaching.

2. It also includes the power to erect temples, dependencies and places of worship; maintain, protect and access sacred and spiritually relevant places; and rescue and preserve objects of worship or that have a sacred meaning.

3. The State recognizes spirituality as an essential element of the human being.

4. Religious and spiritual groups can be organized as legal entities, all forms of profit are prohibited and their assets must be managed transparently in accordance with the law, respecting the rights, duties and principles established by this Constitution.” (2022)

In other words, in the new proposal for the political constitution, freedom of conscience and religion is also guaranteed. And returning to the original question: Why should we be concerned about the project of the new constitution on religious freedom? The answer would be that actually we will not lose any religious freedom. Moreover, both the current and the new constitutional proposal maintain it, and in the hypothetical case that if any political constitution does not recognize it, is there anything to fear? Jesus tells us:

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and raise all kinds of slander against you because of me. Rejoice and be overjoyed, because a great reward awaits you in heaven. So also they persecuted the prophets who preceded you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

That is to say, should we be concerned if the political constitution prohibits us from our Faith? No, because our freedom is given to us by Christ and our reward of being insulted for the cause of Christ is synonymous with joy. And that is why we must first seek the Kingdom of God to believe and trust that Christ gives us freedom!

Second, why should a Christian care about political debate? A Christian should not care about the political debate as a priority, because, as I said before, the goal of the follower of Jesus is to seek “first the Kingdom of God and his justice and everything else will be added (Matthew 6:33)”, and in this search our importance is the salvation of souls because «God loved the people of this world so much that he gave me, who am his only Son, so that everyone who believes in me may not die, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

That is to say, if the Christian is interested in politics and being informed, very good for him, but our goal is to seek God and seek the salvation of people so that they know the love of Jesus, that is our goal!

Finally, why do evangelicals seek recognition in the new political constitution? Some evangelicals believe that our country will be blessed because if the political constitution acquires “biblical principles” our country will receive God’s blessing, but why should the Christian seek recognition of the political constitution if the only recognition that is valid is that of Christ?

That is, the answer is that the only recognition that matters is that of Christ. That’s what matters. And besides, biblical principles are for Christians, why should I impose my biblical principles on non-believers? Why do I make the same mistake as early Christians in forcing holiness with human force on non-believers? am I not violating their free will? Perhaps, why not believe God that through his Holy Spirit he can convert non-believers, recognizing his Sovereignty? Then, how can we influence our society? Again, seeking the Kingdom of God and the righteousness of it and all things will be added (Matthew 6:33).

In conclusion, for us believers God is what matters and nothing else. Regardless of what happens next September 4 in the exit plebiscite, if they approve or reject the proposal for the new constitution, the objective of the Christian is to seek more God and his justice.

Let’s not make the mistake of the early church, as the historian says, which is to seek political-earthly power and forget about souls and the power of the Holy Spirit, because it will be the end and perdition. That is not the way. The way is to seek God.

Bibliography:

  • Political Constitution of Chile [Const]. Article 6. October 21, 1980.
  • New proposal for the Political Constitution of Chile [Const.] Article 67 of July 4, 2022.
  • Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® NIV® © 1999, 2015 by Biblical, Inc.®, Inc.® Used by permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
  • Sotomayor, M., & Ubiña, JF (2005). The ancient world. Madrid: Trotta.

Opinion: What is the objective of the Christian within the Chilean constitutional debate? » The Voice of Maipu