The Church: the last bastion against corporate encroachment and propaganda

Apr 22, 2015

By Anil Netto
In the early Christian era, the rule and values of the Roman Empire dominated the values, culture and thinking of the time. The superficial peace and stability in occupied territories was imposed through military victory and then collaboration between imperial rulers and local political and religious elites. The message of peace though military subjugation totally contradicted Jesus’ message to love our enemies as ourselves and to put away our swords.

In mainstream society, the Roman Emperor was regarded as divine, a son of god of legendary origins, a symbol of earthly power. This was different from the Christian thinking of Jesus’ divinity. Unlike Caesar, Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. He did not come to lord it over the people like an emperor would; instead, he washed the feet of the marginalised and downtrodden whom he welcomed into his kingdom.

This kingdom would be so different from Caesar’s. It would be ruled by love, compassion, peace, joy. Instead of the punitive justice of the Roman Empire (symbolised by the execution of Jesus on the cross), Jesus’ kingdom celebrated distributive justice (symbolished by the distribution of fish and loaves among the multitude).

Unfortunately, Christianity lost its early dynamism when elite Christians decided that the religion should be the religion of the empire. Instead of the religion that appealed to many of the meek and the marginalised, Christiainity and the Church were co-opted into the empire. Worldly rulers deviously used the Church for their own ambition and power. The Church soon grew to be associated with the trappings of power and influence and was even abused as an instrument of oppression.

The Roman Empire might be long gone, but now we have a more dominant and powerful value system; a system of economic power dominated by large corporations, operating across national boundaries.

With the advent of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, multinational corporations will be endowed with greater power and influence — which could even undermine national economic soveignity, especially in the resolution of investor-state disputes.

In the Roman Empire, travellers could see constant reminders of Caesar’s omnipresence through the numerous statues, monuments, temples, ports, towns, fortresses and other engineering marvels built in his name. Not to mention the visible presence of occupation troops and a fine network of roads making rapid military advances possible.

These days, there is a different kind of economic domination. The symbols and logos of the MNCs are all over the place. Just take a look at the typical BPL football stadium. No gladiators here but footballers surrounded by corporate logos on field-side advertising boards and even closer, on their jerseys. At half-time, we are bombarded by a corporate advertising blitz.

Our mainstream media and many of the popular online news websites are now owned by companies. Even if they are not directly owned by corporations, many of these media outfits rely heavily on corporate advertising revenue for their income. Large billboards now dot our landscape, marring scenic views along our highways and city routes. Inevitably, corporate values seep into our thought processes and influence how we see the world.

Even our schools, including mission schools, are not spared! Private colleges are increasingly placing their advertisements on school premises. Not too long ago, some schools and even government hospitals succumbed to placing vending machines dispensing canned drinks on these premises with beverage companies’ logos prominently displayed. (Of course, many are unaware that these drinks tend to be laced with excessive sugar.)

The point is, the spread of corporate values has become so pervasive and insidiuous.

For a long time, the Church has held out against any penetration of corporate values in our parish premises.

Unfortunately, there are signs that corporate thinking is increasingly entering the domain of the Church. True, we can learn something about making the most efficient use of resources and accounting records in managing the Church and its resources.

But corporate values tend to come as a package. It comes with a way of thinking that says we should maximise the income and wealth of the Church and enhance the value of our assets. It emphasises a healthy bank account by ruthlessly maximising returns and slashing costs, by whatever means deemed fit. It comes with a ruthless mentality that brooks no dissent. And like in the corporate world, little thought is given to preserving the natural environment.

Therein lies the danger. This kind of corporate thinking stands in conflict with the the teachings of the Gospels which exhort us to sell everything we have and give to the poor, so that we will have treasure in heaven (Mark 10:21).

We are told that it is in giving that we shall receive (Luke 6:38). Jesus showed us how we should spend time with the poor instead of expending our limited energy in meetings on new building and renovation projects (though these have a place when absolutely necessary for community worship).

Yes, we should jealously guard our churches against any encroachment of corporate propaganda and thinking. For indeed, no one can serve two masters (God and money) (Matthew 6:24).

It would be a sad day if the corporate world, like the Roman Empire, co-opts the church in the pursuit of wealth and influence.