Anti-Colonial Theology

In religious and theological discourse, there are expressions and sayings that after time become either cliches or slogans.  Many of these are sayings and/or statements that are parroted or merely regurgitated on the basis of habit or tradition.  Many of them are merely repeated on the basis of mechanical impulse or robotic functioning.  People use such phrases mindlessly and many times without knowing the implications of the statements and sayings.  It is almost as if the practice of their faith were mechanical in nature, and did not involve analytical and critical thinking.

Examples of these are statements such as "The Bible says," "The Lord told me," "I believe," and so on and so forth.  People repeat these phrases because they are so used to hearing them that they don't even think when they use these phrases.

The term "Post-colonial theology" is another one such term that many times is used in a rhetorical manner. It can be taken to mean different things to different people.  The definition of that term will depend on who is using it, and the angle that he/she is coming from.

In this essay, I would like to talk about "Anti-colonial theology." To me, the term means a discourse about God which denounces the colonial situation of nations.  It also means that it does not operate with the  same norms or standards that classical or "normal" theology operates with.

What is Anti-colonial theology?  To me, Anti-colonial theology is a theology which emerges from people who have been the victim of colonization, and who in turn generate a theology which reflects relevance to their situation as a colonized people.

I submit that Liberation Theology is in essence, an anti-colonial theology.  It emerges from the reality of the oppression that is imposed on social groups along ethnic/racial, class, gender, and sexual orientation lines. The theology that emerges from these oppressed groups is not a theology of convenience, expedience, or opportunism.  It is not a theology that is rooted in "sour grapes," or in being "sore losers."  It is a theology grounded in the reality of God's liberating and salvific work in history. It denounces colonialism with all its attendant characteristics of the discrimination and injustices described above.

Some may ask, "Why does theology need to have the prefix 'anti' in it?" I attach the prefix "anti" because Liberation Theology is a prophetic theology which in accordance with the Scriptures and traditions, speaks on behalf of God, and also unmasks, identifies, and denounces the social evils of colonialism as well as all other social evils imposed on people.

How does theology or "God-talk" of any kind function among colonial people?  Colonial theology, i.e.the theology of the colonizers serves to legitimize their colonizing actions, while Anti-colonial theology denounces these same actions.  Anti-colonial theology says "Hell no" in the name of the Lord to the imposition of unjust economic, political, religious, and social structures. Anti-colonial theology exorcises the demonic element in social injustice and in its place, proclaims a message of hope and liberation.

Does Anti-colonial theology have a future?  As long there continues to exist the reality of colonialism and neo-colonialism in any form, Anti-colonial theology along with Liberation Theology will continue not only exist, but also to function both faithfully and effectively in accordance with the Gospel.

In the Name of the Creator, and of the Liberator, and of the Sustainer. Amen.

Dr. Juan A.Carmona