Ever since the European conquest of the new world, South America has been predominantly Roman Catholic. However, ever since the election of “President” Hugo Chavez, there has been great conflict between religion and government. The battle between fundamentalist Christians and President Hugo Chavez has had an adverse effect on religion in the country of Venezuela by instituting a continuous battle between the government and the church.
The ill effect on religion in Venezuela is seen mostly as a result of the expulsion of the US missionary group in 2005. The New Tribes Mission of the US has converted many members of the native tribes of the country and has “helped indigenous tribes during hard times when aid from government authority was scarce or nonexistent.”(MSNBC). However, Chavez strongly disliked these actions and thus expelled the missionary group from the country, for he viewed the missionaries as “imperialists” and has suggested, “American evangelists are part of a broader conspiracy in Washington to topple a president whose regional influence is growing thanks to massive oil revenues.”(BBC). Anything that could possibly hinder the political power of Chavez and Venezuela, especially anti-Communist Americans, is ultimately seen as threat. In addition, Chavez felt further resentment regarding religion when Pat Roberson, a televangelist, “suggested on-air that American operatives assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to stop his country from becoming ‘a launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism.’”(USA Today). This outraged Chavez, who saw it as extremely immoral and uncalled for, and thus ousted the New Tribes Mission from the country.
Following the expulsion of the missionary group, Chavez has continued to suppress other religious entities throughout the country. For example, Chavez sees the powerful Church hierarchy as a threat, for “80% of the population is supportive of the Church and regards it as trustworthy.”(Marlin). This does not go in hand with Chavez’s idea of socialism, which “is revolutionary by nature” and has provoked “a growing political polarization, increased violence, insecurity and hatred, and seriously jeopardized a peaceful democratic society.” (CNA). The Catholic Church is an obstacle for Chavez, for he desires to transform the country and put it under his direct power without any other influences, especially one that believes “Chavez’s brand of socialism is not compatible with the teachings of the Church.” (Marlin). Thus, to curb its power, Chavez designed a law that ended traditional government subsidies to Catholic schools and ended the right of children to receive religious education in government-run schools.” (Marlin).
Despite Chavez’s attacks, the Catholic Church has remained in strong opposition to the government. For example, “in 2007, the bishops opposed Chavez’s constitutional reform referendum that would have given him dictatorial powers. The proposals, they said, were undemocratic and a massive attack on civil rights particularly freedom of expression.”(Marlin). In addition, the Catholic Church persists to battle the regime even after a government gang, La Esquina Caliente, physically assaulted [Cardinal Urosa].” (Marlin). While Chavez denies “he’s steering Venezuela toward a dictatorship,” Cardinal Urosa of Venezuela maintains, “Chavez aims to copy Cuba's communist model and has raised concerns the president is borrowing tactics from his close allies - Raul and Fidel Castro - to sideline adversaries and muffle dissent.” (CBS) The Catholic Church greatly disagrees with the attempts of Chavez to suppress human rights and manipulate the people and government.
Due to the socialist and overpowering views of Hugo Chavez, religion has been continually suppressed in Venezuela. This was first triggered when Pat Robertson ordered for the assassination of Chavez, which triggered Chavez to eliminate the New Tribes missionary group from the country. Since then, there has been on ongoing struggle between the respected Catholic Church and Chavez, who is continuously finding ways to strip the church of its power since it poses a threat to his own authoritative motives.
Works Cited
Agency, Catholic News. "Venezuelan Bishops Warn Chavez Is Jeopardizing Democratic Society :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)." Catholic News Agency. 9 June 2009. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/venezuelan_bishops_warn_chavez_is_jeopardizing_democratic_society/>.
Marlin, George J. "Hugo Chavez: Anti-Catholic, Narcissist, Leninist." Latest Articles. 16 Nov. 2010. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2716187/posts>.
Size, Font. "Chavez, Venezuelan Church Clash Over Freedoms - CBS News." Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News - CBS News. 12 July 2010. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/11/world/main6668823.shtml>.
"USATODAY.com - Pat Robertson Calls for Assassination of Hugo Chavez." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. 23 Aug. 2005. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-08-22-robertson-_x.htm>.
"Venezuelans Protest Chavez Missionary Threat - World News - Americas - Msnbc.com." Msnbc.com - Breaking News, Science and Tech News, World News, US News, Local News- Msnbc.com. 28 Oct. 2005. Web. 17 May 2011. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9853894/ns/world_news-americas/>.
The fallouts and outcomes of politics and religions intertwining are clear arguments as to why the church and state should be separated. As you mentioned above, the Catholic Church and the government have faced opposition between each other, and unfortunately the people of Venezuela are the victims. They do not benefit from this and do not know where to turn.
ReplyDeleteHowever, for a short time, Catholics approved the expulsion of missionary groups by Chavez. "The Catholic Church has long viewed the growing Protestant presence in Latin America with concern... Even some of Chavez’s arch enemies such as Castillo Lara hailed the government’s decision" (Kozloff). The Catholic Church obviously does not like the fact that Protestant groups are infiltrating to the people, compromising the Catholic identity of the people. Therefore, the Catholic Church isn't the moral conscience people think the church is. By the Catholic Church siding with Chavez's expulsion, it shows the Church takes much interest in the politics of the country.
Kozloff, Nikolas. "Venezuela’s War of Religion | Venezuelanalysis.com." Venezuelanalysis.com | Venezuela News, Views, and Analysis. 24 Oct. 2005. Web. 10 May 2011. .
Shereen
ReplyDeleteThe linking of religion with politics within Venezuela is definitely a major issue that needs to be acknowledged and resolved.
There is no doubt that Pat Robertson’s statement against Chavez brought about the decision to expel the New Tribes missionaries from Venezuela. However, Chavez’s statement that he felt that the missionaries were intruders was illogical. The New Tribes missionaries have been serving the indigenous population of Venezuela since 1946. Until this expulsion, there had not been any major problems with this group. They have never gotten involved in the political affairs of the country. “Until the controversy with Pat Robertson erupted in August, Chavez’s relations with evangelical groups had been smooth.” (Kozloff) Therefore, this serves to show that Chavez is falsely claiming that the missionaries are a potential threat to his power. He is just trying to ensure that people like Pat Robertson do not cause his influence on the country to decline.
As a result of his fear of losing power, Chavez has strived to put religion into his hands. He not only wants political authority over the country, but also control over the aspect of religion. This in turn is causing the intermingling of Church and state; an issue that must be resolved soon.
Source:
Kozloff, Nikolas. "Venezuela’s War of Religion | Venezuelanalysis.com." Venezuelanalysis.com | Venezuela News, Views, and Analysis. 24 Oct. 2005. Web. 17 May 2011. http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/1430.
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ReplyDeleteAnasha Green
ReplyDeleteThe strong connection between church and state is as a result of Hugo Chavez' political tactocs to sway the support of the people.
Chavez has used religion, specifically the Catholic tradition, to help boost his political career. After winning as second term as Venezuelan president, Chavez swore by Christ, “the greatest socialist in history” (Yanes). Chavez himself is a socialist, and in his second term he desired to institute “… more radical changes” (Yanes) to the Venezuelan country. Declaring Jesus as the greatest socialist in history was a way of merely swaying the people of Venezuela, who are predominantly Catholic, into supporting his radical reforms. By doing so, Chavez himself ties the church and the state together.
Yanes, Howard. "Chavez Promises a Socialist Venezuela as He Starts New 6-year Term - USATODAY.com." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. 10 Jan. 2007. Web. 17 May 2011. .
Amanda: It is indeed a problem that the Church is involved in politics. Government and religion should be separate entities. Yet, the Church desires to be involved in politics in order to protect their interests, but mostly the rights of the people, which are being infringed upon by Chavez's communist proposals.
ReplyDeleteShereen: It is definitely true that Chavez sees the missionaries as a poitical threat instead of a danger to the people. As he is on his way go creating an authoritarian state, Chavez sees anythin that is a threat to the power of his regime as a problem that needs to be rid of. In addition, Chavez is certainly making strong attempts to control religion, yet the Church greatly opposes this.
Anasha: Chavez is certainly using religion for his own benefit by swaying people in the left direction of communism. As a primarily Catholic country, Venezuela is devoted to Jesus and his word. By twisting the message of Christianity, Chavez will continue to manipulate and control the people for his own benefit.