Faith and Corruption: The struggle of an emerging democracy
Albania has emerged recently from communism and a ruthless dictatorship. Enver Hoxja created the only forced atheist state in the world. There was not even one religion approved of by Hoxja and in fact it was considered against the law to have faith in any supreme being. Churches and mosques were turned into government buildings and books were burned. During his long reign from 1944 to 1985, Albanians lost their faith in God and religion was non-existent. After Hoxja’s reign the people of this largely Muslim country returned to religion thinking that faith was more of an identity or roots passed on from parents to children. For example, I was told by a man, “I’m half Muslim, half Christian. My mother is Muslim and my father Christian.” There is a growing number of the younger generation who are sincerely seeking religion, however the majority of the older generation who are incidentally in power positions within the government, are not religious.
These days Albania is considered to be extremely underdeveloped and corrupt compared to its European counterparts. Other post-communist countries that have gone through a similar transition from communism to democracy are on the road or have already achieved membership in the European Union — the ultimate goal for Albania. However the one missing element to Albania’s progress is faith in God. Other similar Eastern European countries maintained their faith and therefore accountability before a supreme being. In turn, it took less time for them to overcome the corruption that has run rampant through the governments of these countries for so long.
I’m not an expert on emerging democracies nor have I had much experience combating government corruption. I simply observe and therefore conclude that without a moral system instituted by religion, selfishness grows and breeds corruption. It is in every facet of Albanian society. You can buy your grades in school, you can buy a space in the university, you’d better count on paying under the table fees (and hefty ones indeed) to individual government and bank employees when applying for papers or a loan, your property is only yours if the current regime doesn’t disapprove or need it otherwise, a carton of cigarettes can get you a better room on the ferry, and on and on.
The Albanian people have very little personal power to fight against this travesty and they suffer greatly from it. They find their only hope is to wait for the next generation to rise and replace the current leaders who perpetuate the corruption. Their hope is that the next generation will have the integrity that the current leaders lack. I hope the potential integrity they are expecting can be nurtured despite the absence of faith in God. Reflecting on these thoughts, I give thanks to my country and its founders who based the constitution on faith in God. I will celebrate the upcoming 4th of July with this in mind and heart.
June 27th, 2006 13:09
It’s always sobering to hear of situations like this in other countries. It’s also a reminder to me about how important it is that the US not lose its roots of faith. Thank you for sharing this, Jen. I hope your 4th is indeed meaningful. I hope mine will be all the more so thanks to your post.
June 27th, 2006 13:34
I find this post very interesting, Jen. My knowledge of conditions in former Communist countries is spotty at best, and I have been very disappointed to learn that in many of them the release from tyranny has led to this kind of corruption. I only wish that I could believe that a belief in God would end the corruption which you are seeing in Albania. But after having lived in several Latin American countries where there was a very strong professed belief in Christianity, and yet very obvious corruption in the government (and throughout society) on all levels, I fear that unless a belief in God is accompanied by a strong basic commitment to honesty, the corruption is likely to continue.
The restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which teaches us that honesty towards God and our fellow men is a fundamental principle, is the answer to corruption, as well as all other social ills. But unless the conversion rates increase dramatically in the near future, people in many societies may have to await the Millennium before they see relief from endemic corruption. In the meantime, members such as you do their best to be a light shining in darkness.