Mukunzi, Jean Paul (2017) Suffering Under God’s Wings: Rethinking Genocide as a Social Sin in Rwanda. Licentiate thesis, Santa Clara University Berkeley, California.
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Abstract
The Tutsi genocide in Rwanda recalls another instance in human history where beliefs and faith in God were tested. It left survivors struggling with bitterness and longing for revenge. The experience of unresolved suffering after this genocide is always present in the mind of ordinary believers and theologians. In this experience of suffering, people want to know where was God, and why God did not intervene in such instances as prayers and traditions of Christianity informed them. The Christian answers to their questions from the Christian tradition, especially through theodicy, prove inadequate and unhelpful for the victims and perpetrators to use in their healing processes. Christians are left without a clue as to what it takes to walk with such a horrific experience of genocide and be able to continue to believe in God. Viewing this genocide as a social sin, however, brings the Christian questions to address human actions and interactions and takes away the power of sin. It reduces paralyzing shame and guilt since it shows people how they are compelled by human sinful structures to do evil. The structures enabled individuals and society to sin by omission and commission. The neighbor became a source of death instead of a messenger of the love of God. Christians look at sin within the perspective of God’s infinite mercy. Sin does not have the final words on human actions. Through personal and social contrition and conversion accompanied by acts of kindness and solidarity, the survivors and the perpetrators of this genocide are able to see new light and hope and can begin to heal. It is within these conditions that the lens of social sin takes away the power genocide has over the people, and they can become more aware of how sin obstructed them from seeing the face of a loving God.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Licentiate) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BT Doctrinal Theology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform |
| Divisions: | Africana Afro-Christiana Jesuitica |
| Depositing User: | Tim Khabala |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Sep 2017 08:55 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Sep 2017 08:55 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/2132 |
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