I have been hearing alot about the present upheaval in Kenya. If you haven't heard about it check it out here. There are thousands who are homeless, and hundreds who have died all because of a presidential election which seems to have been tampered with. This created much anger with the opposing party and has seemed to raise deep tribal confict to the surface. There doesn't seem to be any stop to the violence any time soon. Kenya has been recently looked at by many pro-democracy westerners as a shining example that democracy can work in a politically and culturally complicated region such as Africa. However, the status now is showing that it is not as simple as that.

In light of the current situation, I am beginning to wonder if I support the exportation of democracy to every country. Does democracy fit in every context? It doesn't seem to fit in Kenya and other tribally charged countries, nor does it seem to fit in many of the middle eastern countries. Yet, as a good American, one that sees how it has "kind of" worked here, I am supposed to be in support of the wholesale distribution of democracy. I am beginning to be skeptical.

And then, I remember, that I am not first of all supposed to think as an American, but as a Christian. As a Christian, a follower of Jesus of Nazareth and a member of his church, who claimms his life death and resurrection as the culminating event of history, believing that all things are being redeemed through him, (phew, this is a long sentence), what should my stance be with exporting western democracy? Can democracy get in the way of the gospel, which transforms individuals and lives? Can democracy be seen by non-westerners as so closely attached to Christianity and the gospel in America, that they see no difference between the two? Is there a difference between the two? For some American Christians to say that democracy is not the right fit in some situations would be like spitting on the Bible. Is thhe church seen as just another exporter of democracy or the transformative people of God being used in all situations?

Just some thoughts. I will think more on these things.