The Use of Religion by Political Elites in Kabwe District, Zambia

Abstract

This article reports a study to investigate the use of religion by the political elites in the Kabwe district of the central province in Zambia. The study used a descriptive survey design of the qualitative strategy where an Interpretivist Research technique served as a foundation for data collection. The target population included four political parties in Kabwe district, church leaders from the Roman Catholic Church, United Church of Zambia, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah’s Witness, Pentecostal church, Mosque, officials from Church Mother Bodies, Civic leaders and lay people. The study drew upon a sample of 28 respondents and Semi-structured and Open-ended interview techniques were applied to obtain the required primary data. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed thematically for respondents’ perceptions of the use of religion in politics. The key findings revealed that religion was often utilized as a political tool by the political elite, where politicians utilised it to gain political mileage. Religious communities were also viewed by respondents as effective partners in the implementation of political agendas and or policies. Additionally, religious communities were seen as fixed and stable entities which had won the trust of local communities. By and large, the role played by religion in politics (through the identified religious bodies) was considered crucial for the survival of democracy in the two districts. Appropriate recommendations are made such as encouraging religious freedom where everybody will be free to seek the truth without any coercion or inhibition.