Letter To The Editor : A Constitution is the basic foundation of government. It provides structure and limits for the exercise of government powers. The Independent State of Samoa Constitution has served as a model for many island nations and is the oldest in the Pacific Region under the UN umbrella and is still in force today.
The Independent State of Samoa Constitution is unique because God revealed it to warrior Nafanua when asked by Malietoa Vainu’upo and Su’a where she replied with “Ua leai se ao o totoe ia te a’u, toe o i’u ae o mai inā o, Tali i Lagi se Ao o lo lua Malō.” What a powerful testimony of that revelation to establish our Constitution. After a hundred and thirty two years, thousands and thousands of Samoans witness that day with tears of joy where the Independent State of Samoa raised its own flag at Mulinu’u, a symbol that Samoa was founded on God with its inspired constitution in place in 1962 which is almost 60 years today.
God has given his children moral agency – the power to decide and to act. As a proud Samoan I am very grateful for the framing of our Constitution “Independent State of Samoa” by our forefathers. It is and must be a sacred document for all of us. I believed that the Constitution was not a fully grown or perfect document at that time. I believed that it must grow and develop to meet the needs of an advancing world to cater for our people from time to time as we all noticed today. (Samoa la’ala’a i luma)
After reading the Constitution I learned four principles:
First is the principle that the source of government power is the people. The Constitution established a constitutional democratic right where the people exercise their power through their elected representatives (Election).
A second inspired principle is the division of delegate powers between three independent branches of government – Executives, Legislative, Judicial that could exercise checks upon one another (Balance of Powers)
A third inspired principle is the Right of people, individuals, groups, children, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech/press and so many other rights as stipulated by the Constitution and its amendment (Fundamental Rights)
The forth inspired principle is the vital purpose of the entire Constitution that “We are governed by laws and not by individuals and our loyalty is to the Constitution and its principle and processes, not to any office holder (No one is above the law).’
In this way, all persons are to be equal before the law. These principles block the autocratic ambitions that have corrupted democracy in any form. They also mean that none of the three branches of government should be dominant over the others or prevent the others from performing their proper constitutional function to check one another.
The authority of the Constitution is trivialized when candidates or official ignore its principle. The dignity and force of the Constitution is reduced by those who refer to it like a loyalty test or a political slogan, instead of its lofty status as a source of authorization for and limits on government authority.
Our Constitution as designed by our ancestors according to inspirations from God, will survive only with righteous people.
Unless we as citizens of this nation (Samoa) forsake our sins, political and otherwise, and return to the fundamental (Rule of law),Christianity and of our Samoan Culture and tradition we will lose our political liberties, our free institution and will stand in jeopardy before God losing our exaltation.
Righteousness is an indispensable ingredient to freedom. Virtuous people elect wise and good representatives (Faipule), good representatives make good laws and then wisely administer them. This tends to preserve righteousness. We should trust in the Lord and be positive about our nations future.
Goodness, wisdom and honesty are the three qualities of statesmanship qualities this country needs more than ever before. May we be wise, prayerfully wise – in the electing of those who would lead us. May we select only those who understand and will adhere to Constitutional principles or the Rule of Law, he/she lives in Christlike manner, who lives among us, can lead us, hear us and unite us in peace or be a good citizen.
Our duties as citizen in upholding the Constitution is that: We should learn and advocate the principles of the Constitution. We should seek out and support wise and good persons who will support those principles in their public actions. We should be knowledgeable citizens who are active in making our influence felt in civic affairs.
Church leaders encouraged all of us to “ be good citizens of the nations in which we live and good neighbours in our communities, reaching out to those other faiths, as well as to our own” and to “be men and women of honesty and integrity in everything we do.”
One thing I learned is that “We have to uphold and remain united by and through the Constitution, regardless of our ideological disagreements
We live in a time of anger and hatred in political relationships and policies. We felt it in some previous campaign for public offices or Faipule. Unfortunately some of this has even spilled over into political statements and unkind references on social media, village even in church meetings. In a democratic government we will always have differences over proposed candidates and policies. However as followers of Christ, we must forgo the anger and hatred with which political choices are debated or denounced in many setting.
Hate is a disease. It destroys first your enemy but remember it will also do a real…real damage to yourself and your families. On contested issues we should seek to moderate and unify somewhere or somehow.
Before and after the 2021 General Election till today hatred and anger rose like a hungry beast among couples, families, friends, villages even in churches. Hatred and anger does not resolve anything, it only brings division and sadness in our own lives. Many church leaders were involved in the political issues that influence so many of their members’ right to vote what is right. And it is very sad to watch these men of God use the same pulpit to preach the word of god and to preach worldly things. To me it is unacceptable.
All our callings or profession in the family, village, church or as public servants have limits of power to operate within. We also have Visions and Missions as guiding principles in whatever we do to accomplish the goal that everyone agrees to. Muhammad Ali (greatest fighter of all times) said “DO NOT STEP INSIDE THE WRONG ARENA OTHERWISE SOME STUPID GUY WILL KNOCK YOU OUT”.
In the Bible Cain was going after Abel because of his hatred and anger. We all understand the end result of this story “Cain committed a serious crime” but when the Lord asks Cain “where is Able thy brother” He answered God with another question “I know not , am I my brothers keeper?”. Well of course, WE ARE our brothers and sisters keeper.
This is one of our Saviours teachings that is known to us all but is rarely practiced. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy”. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully used you and persecute you”.(scripture says)
For generations, Jews had been taught to hate their enemies as they were suffering under the domination and cruelties of Roman occupation. Yet Jesus taught them “Love your enemies and do good to them that despitefully used you”. What revolutionary teaching for personal and political relationships! That was our Saviours command in the New Testament and it is still a powerful living testimony in our days.
Loving our enemies and our adversaries is not easy. Most of us have not reached that stage of love and forgiveness. It requires self-discipline almost greater than we are capable of. But it must be essential for it is part of the Saviours two great commandments to “Love the Lord thy God” and “Love thy neighbour as you would thyself” (scripture says). It is possible, for He also taught,” Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find.”
But how do we learn to love our adversaries and our enemies?
The Saviours’ teaching not to “contend with anger” is a good step. The devil is the father of contention and it is he who tempts men to contend with anger. He promotes enmity and hateful relationships among individuals, families and within groups. No one can make us angry. It is our choice. Anger is the way to division and enmity. We move toward loving our enemies when we avoid anger and hostility towards them. It also helps if we are even willing to learn from them.
An even greater help in learning to love our enemies is to seek to understand the power of love or the pure love of Christ.
A church leader taught: “The world in which we live would benefit greatly if men and women everywhere would exercise the pure love of Christ, which is kind, meek and lowly. It seeks nothing in return….it has no place for bigotry, hatred, or violence in any form.” It encourages diverse people to live together in Christian love, regardless of religious belief, race, nationality, financial standing, education, culture or political issues.
Jesus did not teach revolution or law breaking. He taught a better way. Modern revelation teaches the same.
“Let no man break the law of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land”
“Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be.” (according to scripture)
Articles of Faith states “We believe in being subjects to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honouring and sustaining the law.” This does not mean that we agree with all that is done with the force of law. It means that we obey the current law and use peaceful means to hear our voices for good and right causes. In a democratic society we always have the opportunity and the duty to persist peacefully until the next election.
How do we keep these divine commandments in a world where we are also subject to laws of man?
Fortunately, we have the Saviours’ own example of how to balance his eternal laws with the practicalities of man-made laws. When the Chief priest and the Scribes sought to trap him with a question about whether Jews should pay taxes to Rome. He pointed to the image of Caesar on their coins and declared, “Render, therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s unto God the things which be God’s” (according to scripture)
So we are to follow the laws of men, the Constitution (render unto Caesar) to live peacefully under civil authority, and we follow the laws of God toward our eternal destination (the things which be God)
Today we have all experience and witness, some political parties even the Judicial Branch of government challenge the Constitution and its guiding principles or to obtain supreme power over their limits, that we have never seen before in our entire life. But let me be clear… I do trust in the Almighty God, that one day He will reveal the truth nothing but the truth. It takes some time but we will get there on His own timing and willingness. So just hang in there and keep focus on prayer…..God have something far better for Samoa
I am very grateful for those patriotic leaders who are still uphold, defend and value our Constitution and principles of constitutionalism. Such behaviours which considered inappropriate and immoral are now not only tolerated but also viewed by ever so many as acceptable. It is disgraceful. Todays’ government is facing some strong storms on political issues but a word of advise “ DO NOT TAKE THE STORM AS ABSENCE OF GOD.”
Scripture says: “For my thoughts are not yours, neither are your ways are my ways, said the Lord”.
Lastly, “Knowing that we are all children of God, sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father, gives us a vision of the worth of others and the ability to rise above prejudice.
Church Leaders said…”THE PAST IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH,THE PRESENT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH BUT CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT MUST BE THE GOAL FOR THE FUTURE.”
“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say we follow the admonition of Paul – We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things” (Articles of Faith)
To live as free people in safety and peace, we must become informed and involved. The happiness of any community goes hand to hand with the knowledge possessed by the people.
I pray that we may all have the courage and the faith to seek and to know the truth. So we could all have hope to walk and to see the light at the very end of the tunnel.
“And he shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”( according to the scriptures)
“I am the way, the truth and the life” (according to the scriptures)
So who can say NO??????
May God bless our trust worthy leaders and may God bless Samoa.
Aitu o le Vaimauga.