The role of faith and belief in modern Africa | Ndidi Nwuneli

譯者: Lilian Chiu 審譯者: Helen Chang

I was born to two amazing professors who were not religious.

我的父母都是很了不起的教授， 他們沒有宗教信仰。

In fact, my father's regular response

事實上，我父親通常都會這樣回應

to the question about why we didn't go to church on Sundays was,

為什麼我們星期日不上教堂的問題：

"When others go to pray, I go to play."

「當其他人去禱告時， 我去玩樂（音近禱告）。」

Tennis, in case you're wondering.

如果你想知道，他的玩樂是網球。

Faith found me and my siblings when university students came to our house

信仰找到了我和我的手足， 那時是大學學生到我們家裡

to invite us to Sunday school.

邀請我們去主日學。

I was drawn by their sense of personal conviction

我被吸引的原因， 在於他們的個人信念感

and their life of service,

以及他們的為人服務的人生，

and opted for baptism into the Christian faith

我接著選擇受洗，接受基督教信仰，

as my 10th birthday present.

那是我十歲的生日禮物。

My faith has shaped my work as a social entrepreneur,

我的信仰讓我成為社會企業家，

attempting to address Africa's most pressing challenges

在過去十七年間，試著處理

over the last 17 years,

非洲最迫切的挑戰，

and my work training youth as leaders

我也在訓練年輕人成為領導人，

and promoting ethics across Africa.

在非洲各地提倡倫理道德。

Twenty-nine years later,

二十九年後，

as a Sunday school teacher myself,

我自己也是個主日學的老師，

my faith was challenged by a young nine-year-old

我的信仰被一名九歲孩子挑戰，

who asked a series of questions.

他問了一連串的問題。

He asked,

他問：

"Ms. Ndidi, does God hate Africans?"

「恩迪迪女士，神痛恨非洲人嗎？」

To which I quickly retorted, "Of course not.

對這個問題，我馬上回：「當然不。

God loves all his children equally."

神給祂所有的孩子平等的愛。」

Then he asked, "So why do so many young African children die?"

接著他問：「那為什麼 很多非洲小孩會死掉？」

I stumbled and mumbled as I responded.

我含糊咕噥地回應。

"There are many reasons why young African children die.

「非洲小孩死掉的原因很多。

Most of them are man-made, and we cannot blame God."

大部分的原因是人為的， 我們不能怪神。」

So he asked, "Why does he let it happen?

他問：「神為什麼讓這些事發生？

He could stop it."

祂可以阻止的。」

And I said ...

我說…

"Yes he could, yes he could,

「是的，他可以，是的，他可以，

but he sent us here as change agents,

他派我們到這裡當改變推動者、

light of the world, salt of the earth,

世界之光、地球之鹽，

and we are failing."

而我們失敗了。」

Africa has had a mixed affair with organized religion,

非洲和有組織的宗教 有著很複雜的曖昧關係，

with both positive and negative consequences.

後果有正面的也有負面的。

The Christian missionaries educated most of our political elite,

我們政治上的菁英大部分是 由基督教傳教士所教育的，

like Senghor and Nkrumah,

比如桑戈爾和恩克魯瑪，

built many of our first hospitals and schools.

我們最初的醫院和學校， 很多都是他們建立的。

Similarly, Islam has introduced commerce and mathematics

同樣的，伊斯蘭把商業和數學

across the continent.

推廣到整個大陸。

Today, we have over a billion Africans who profess a strong faith.

現今，有超過十億 非洲人有強烈的信仰。

What is the net effect of this on our continent?

這對於我們的大陸，淨效應是什麼？

A recent "Economist" article said that the face of the future

近期有一篇《經濟學人》的 文章指出，世上最普遍的

of the world's most popular religion is African.

宗教的未來面孔，是非洲人。

Now, both Islam and Christianity underscore the importance of social impact

伊斯蘭教和基督教都強調， 社會影響力做為我們信仰的

as critical tenets of our faith.

關鍵信條是很重要的。

Muhammad is noted for stating

穆罕默德有段很有名的陳述，

that he is not a believer who goes to bed on a full stomach

說他並不是一個當鄰居 在挨餓時會自己吃飽

when his neighbor to his side is hungry.

上床睡覺的信徒。

And all through the New Testament,

在新約中，從頭到尾，

Jesus Christ talks about loving your neighbors as yourselves,

耶穌都在談要愛你的鄰居 如同愛你自己，

giving to the poor, caring for the sick,

救濟窮人，照顧病人，

and James, too, says that "faith without works is dead."

而雅各書也說 「 信心若沒有行為就是死的 。」

So I strongly believe that faith-based organizations have a critical role to play

所以我堅定相信，在驅動 非洲的社會影響力方面，

信仰型組織要扮演很關鍵的角色。

in driving social impact in Africa.

But for this to occur, we need three critical changes.

但我們先要完成三項重要 改變，這才可能會發生。

The first is that we need to change our mindsets.

第一，我們要改變我們的心態。

Both as people of faith and of those who are not religious,

身為有信仰的人， 以及對於不信教的人，

their perceptions of those of us who are people of faith.

則是他們對於我們 有信仰的人的看法。

Now, for people of faith and those of us who are religious,

對於有信仰的人以及信教的人，

we often say, "If God wills, I'll do this;

我們通常說： 「若這是神的旨意，我會去做；

inshallah, I'll do that --

若那是阿拉的旨意，我會去做——

by God's grace, I'll do this."

出於神的恩典，我會去做。」

Now there are many things, I believe, that we can control --

我相信，有許多事情 是我們可以控制的——

some we cannot.

有些無法控制。

I believe that God is all-powerful,

我相信神是全能的，

but he's not a micromanager.

但祂不會連小事都要插手。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

He has sent us here as his change agents,

他把我們派到這裡來， 做改變的推動者，

and we must stop making excuses

我們必須要停止找藉口，

and using him.

停止利用祂。

That means that if you're a teacher,

那表示，如果你是老師，

go to school and give your students the best.

就去學校，把你最好的都給予學生。

If you're a public-sector official,

如果你是公部門的官員，

release the funds meant for that school or public health-care center

釋出要給予學校 或公立健康照護中心的資金，

instead of stealing it for your personal purposes.

而不是為了自己個人的目的偷走它。

By claiming that we have no power over our past, present and future,

我們聲稱自己無權控制 我們的過去、現在、未來，

we give too much authority to the wicked

因而給了惡人太多的權限，

who steal funds and beg God for forgiveness.

他們竊取資金，然後請求神的寬恕。

Now for those of you who are not religious,

如果你沒有宗教信仰，

you also have to change your mindsets about us.

你也得改變你看待我們的心態。

There are many of us who are hardworking,

我們有很多人是努力辛勤、

ethical and intellectual.

合乎道德的知識分子。

It might surprise you.

你可能會感到吃驚。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

Now the second step

再來，第二步，

is that we have to utilize our resources and assets

我們得要把我們的資源和資產

用在社會影響力上。

for social impact.

In England,

在英國，

1,900 churches have been shut down since 1969,

自從 1969 年起， 有 1900 間教堂被關閉，

due to shrinking congregations,

原因是集會縮減，

while in Africa, every single day,

而在非洲，每一天，

a church or mosque is being built.

就有一間教堂或清真寺被建立起來。

In some communities, you might not find a public health center,

在一些社區中，你可能 找不到公立健康中心、

a post office or even a school,

郵局，或甚至學校，

but you'll find a church or mosque.

但你能找到教堂或清真寺。

Some of these churches and mosques are world-class,

這些教堂及清真寺中， 有些是世界級的，

with excellent audio-visual systems,

有極佳的聽覺視覺系統，

wonderful meeting spaces,

很棒的會議空間，

and they organize events that rival international concerts.

他們所安排的活動， 比得上國際音樂會。

The sad reality is that many of them are empty during the week.

感傷的現實是 在週間它們常常是空的。

I live in the Lekki area of Lagos,

我住在拉哥斯的萊基區，

and in my community, there are at least 50 really nice churches,

在我的社區中，至少有 50 間真的很棒的教堂，

but there's no adult literacy center,

但沒有成人識字中心，

no homeless shelter

沒有遊民收容所，

and very few public schools and hospitals.

公立學校和醫院也非常少。

Many of these spaces could be utilized for social change.

許多這些空間都可以 被用來做社會改變。

Imagine if every single church in Lekki opened its doors

想像一下，如果萊基的 每間教堂都打開它的門，

to the homeless at night,

晚上讓遊民進入，

gave them a sleeping bag, a warm meal and a voucher in the morning

給他們睡袋、熱食， 早上再給他們一張券，

to learn a vocational course,

可以參與職業學習課程，

offered by the unemployed youth who attend that church.

由上那間教堂的失業青年提供。

That would demonstrate what we preach

那就能展示出我們所講的道，

and what we speak about as people of faith,

以及我們身為 有信仰之人所談的事情，

and what led me to Christianity in the first place.

以及引領我到基督教的初衷。

Similarly, we have to utilize our resources for social change.

同樣的，我們得要用 我們的資源來做社會改變。

The 2016 "why give" survey conducted in Kenya

2016 年，在肯亞進行了 一項「為什麼捐贈」調查，

reveals that close to 60 percent of adults give to faith-based organizations --

結果發現有 60% 的成人 會捐贈給信仰型組織——

even more than they give their extended families.

比他們給予自己延伸家庭的還多。

This is not unique to Kenya.

不是只有肯亞才這樣。

It's quite prevalent across Africa.

在非洲各地都相當常見。

Many of our faith-based organizations have tremendous amounts of wealth

我們許多信仰型組織， 有相當高額的財富，

that can be utilized for social change.

能被用來做社會改變。

We have to check the sources of uses of these funds

我們得要檢查這些資金使用的來源，

and curb the excesses by our faith-based organizations.

並遏止信仰型組織的放肆行為。

【富裕知名牧師的生活方式 和會眾的天差地遠】

Now, this will require courage on the part of members,

這會需要成員的勇氣，

who will have to put their imams and priests on straight salaries,

他們得要推動 伊瑪目和牧師的純薪給制，

require audited financial statements that will be published

要求稽核會出版的財務報表，

and even reject contributions from unethical sources.

甚至要拒絕來自 非倫理道德來源的捐獻。

But it's possible.

但這是可能的。

We're already seeing positive examples in South Africa and Kenya,

我們已經在南非和 肯亞看到正面的例子，

and the organizations,

且組織，

such as the Africa Council for Accreditation and Accountability

比如非洲委派與責任理事會，

that's checking faith-based organizations

會去檢查信仰型組織，

and ensuring that they comply with biblical standards of stewardship.

確保它們遵守聖經的管理標準。

Now, the third step

接著，第三步，

is that we have to partner with all stakeholders,

我們要和所有利害關係人合作，

and this is especially relevant for the non-religious in the audience.

對於觀眾中沒有信教的人 是特別重要的。

Recognizing the power and potential of faith-based organizations,

承認信仰型組織的力量和潛力，

leveraging their assets, their scale,

利用它們的資產、它們的規模、

the public trust and credibility they have,

它們擁有的公眾信任和信用、

their lower operating costs,

它們較低的營運成本、

their access to the grassroots

它們接觸草根的途徑、

and their presence abroad.

以及它們國外的據點。

Politicians recognize this,

政客了解這一點，

and campaign seasons are always filled with stops and picture opportunities

競選季節總是不斷去 拜訪重要的信仰領袖，

並找機會和他們合照。

with leading faith leaders.

Sadly, once elected,

可惜，一旦當選，

many of these faith-based organizations are ignored.

許多這些信仰型組織就被忽略了。

And in fact, a World Bank survey revealed

事實上，世界銀行的調查顯示，

that 30 to 70 percent of assets owned by medical organizations in Africa

在非洲，醫療組織 擁有的資產中有 30~70%

are actually owned by faith-based organizations,

其實為信仰型組織所擁有，

but that there's very little collaboration between the faith community

但在信仰社區和公眾健康照護體制間

and public health-care systems.

鮮少合作。

One positive example is from Ghana,

有一個正面的例子，來自迦納，

where the Ghana Catholic Health Service partnered with a range of stakeholders

迦納天主教健康服務 和許多利害關係人合作，

and was able to realize a 31 percent reduction in mortality.

得以成功將死亡率降低 31%。

I believe there's so much potential that can be realized

我相信還有很多的潛力可以被實現，

when we walk across the divide of faith

只要我們能躍過信仰的分歧，

and, hand in hand, try to solve many of our problems.

手牽手，嘗試解決許多我們的問題。

Similarly, faith-based organizations can support the transfer

同樣的，信仰型組織能夠支援協助

of critical skills and knowledge.

重要技能和知識的轉移。

Many of you in the NGO community or in the private sectors

在座有許多人來自非政府 組織社區或是私部門，

realize how difficult it is to even attract 150 to 200 people

都知道吸引 150~200 人 去參加你的大會

to your conferences,

有多困難，

sometimes even offering stipends,

有時甚至還提供津貼津貼

reimbursements of transportation costs.

和交通補助。

Meanwhile, faith-based organizations draw thousands and millions

但信仰型組織能 吸引數千人，百萬人，

every Sunday or Friday ...

每個星期日或星期五，

with the promise of a good sermon.

只因為保證有好的佈道。

The truth is we cannot address issues around family planning

事實是，在非洲，我們若要 處理問題，不能只靠

without faith-based organizations in Africa.

家庭計畫而不靠信仰型組織。

Issues such as democratic rights and voter registration,

比如民主權利及投票登記這類問題，

ensuring that every member of a congregation

確保集會的每一位會眾

has a voter registration card,

都有一張選民投票登記卡，

understands their democratic rights

都了解他們的民主權利，

and can exercise that.

且能夠行使。

I really think it's critical that we consider partnering

我真的認為，很重要的是

with faith-based organizations to deliver social impact.

要和信仰型組織合作 來實現社會影響力。

It's also important to note that African faith-based organizations

另一個重點是要注意到 非洲的信仰型組織

have a strong presence globally.

在全球有很強的勢力。

There are over 2,000 African nuns and priests in leadership positions

在歐洲，有超過兩千名 非洲修女和牧師

in Europe,

擔任領導職務，

with more influence than some of our diplomatic envoys,

比我們的一些外交使節 都還有影響力，

operating at a fraction of the cost.

運作的成本也非常低。

They can serve as influencers and supporters.

他們能擔任影響者以及支持者。

Similarly, some African churches have a presence

同樣的，有些非洲教堂的勢力

in countries across the globe,

遍及全球許多國家。

and the Redeemed Christian Church of God has a presence in 196 countries,

在 196 個國家有 上帝救贖基督徒教會，

serving as a bridge to the diaspora and providing support.

擔任海外散居僑民的橋樑 並提供支援。

If our public-sector organizations could partner with these institutions,

如果我們的公部門組織 能夠和這些機構合作，

we could unlock the potential of our diaspora populations.

就能釋出我們僑民的潛力。

I know some of you are still struggling with this topic,

我知道在座有些人 還在為這個主題掙扎，

but I challenge you to think about it.

但我挑戰各位去思考。

A wise man once said, "Faith is a risk,

有位智者曾說：「信仰是一種風險，

but it's a risk that I cannot afford not to take."

但我無法承擔不去冒這個風險。」

I would suggest that partnerships with faith-based organizations are a risk,

我會說，和信仰型組織 合作是一種風險，

but one that all stakeholders that are committed to social impact in Africa

但所有致力於在非洲造成 社會影響力的利害關係人

cannot afford not to take.

無法承擔不去冒這個風險。

I often reflect on my conversation with that young boy,

我常會深思我和那年輕男孩的談話，

and I believe I should have ended it a little differently.

我認為我當時應該用 略不同的方式結束那段交談。

First, I should have commended him for asking tough questions.

首先，我當時應該要 稱讚他問了很艱難的問題。

Africa needs more young people who challenge the status quo,

非洲需要更多年輕人 來挑戰它的現狀，

even in the faith communities.

在信仰社區中也一樣。

Secondly, I should have given him a little more hope.

第二，我當時應該給他一點希望。

Not hope in the afterlife,

不是死後的希望，

but hope in Africa today,

而是在現今非洲的希望，

because the faithful are powerful.

因為有信仰的人是強大的。

Not just because of their beliefs but because of their assets,

不只是因為他們的信念， 也因為他們的資產、

their resources, their army of volunteers,

他們的資源、他們的志工大軍，

and because working together, across the divide,

也因為一起合作努力，跨越分歧，

we can live as positive examples for what our children --

我們能成為我們孩子的正面典範，

my children, your children --

我的孩子、你們的孩子 應該要看得見

deserve to see.

An Africa that demonstrates that God loves Africans

一個能夠展示出神愛非洲人的非洲，

and that we are just as capable as any other world region

展示出我們和世界上 任何其他區域一樣有能力

in solving our problems

能解決自己的問題，

in peace ...

能達成和平，

and love.

能去愛。

I love this quote that says,

我很喜歡這句引言：

"Hope is the ability to hear the melody of the future.

「希望是能夠聽到未來旋律的能力。

Faith is the willingness and the courage

信仰則是意願和勇氣，

to dance to it today."

能在今天就隨之起舞。」

I hope that we, as people of faith,

我希望，我們身為有信仰的人，

can truly live up to the promise of social impact

能夠真正做到 產生社會影響力的承諾，

that we have been called to do as change agents in society.

我們身為社會中的改變推動者， 那是召喚我們的使命。

And I believe that working with you,

我相信，和各位， 和所有利害關係人合作，

all stakeholders,

we can truly solve Africa's most pressing challenges.

我們能真正解決非洲最迫切的難題。

I have that hope ...

我有那樣的希望，

and I have the faith,

我也有信仰，

and I've started to dance.

而我已經開始跳舞。

Won't you join me?

你們不加入我嗎？

Thank you.

謝謝。

(Applause)

（掌聲）