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10 Questions: Joseph Ayok-Loewenberg – Minister for religion (Sudan)

posted by Salla Sorri at 4h38 GMT on Aug 30
JospephsudanSmall.jpg

Is God democratic?
Like the Bible, democracy uses mercy and peace. And if mercy means going that extra mile for people and not being judgemental, then I would say that God is democratic in his own way because he allowed us to do what we wanted to do, allowed us to grow as people. He doesn’t dictate – he has clear instructions to people but he would not force people to follow them.

Are dictators ever good?
I don’t think there is a place for dictators in the twenty-first century, but at the beginning of the 1800s there was a place for dictators because people were just learning about democracy and
dictators were revolutionaries, in a way, and they changed along the way.

Can terrorism destroy democracy?
Yes, I really do think that terrorism can destroy democracy. If terrorism limits the freedom of individuals, it will have clearly consequences on democracy.

Why bother to vote?

I always vote because I don’t want to give up my right to vote. We have come so far – people are learning more and more to vote effectively on issues that affect our societies, and women are voting. We cannot give up half way, we have to continue.

Are women more democratic than men?

I wouldn’t say that they are more democratic, but I believe that women are more compassionate and merciful, perhaps because they deliver and bring up children.

Who rules the world?
Obviously rich companies and enterprises have a lot of influence on politicians and therefore politics and democracy, and I would say the powerful are always the ones who write history. This is changing, but even in Africa the rich man is always the chief and the one with authority, and that authority comes from how many cars and how much money he has.

Who would you vote for as President of the World?

At the moment I would vote for Jimmy Carter. I am very impressed by him because he was president for one term in the USA but he hasn’t given up his politics just for not being in the senate. He campaigns for human rights and has influenced many politicians across the world.

What would make you start a revolution?
If I had to start a revolution, it would be over inequality. As human beings we are all created equal but everyone has his gift and I think that the strong, intelligent and rich should help those who cannot make money and those not intelligent enough. I would start a revolution to help the poor, people whose gifts we undermine and marginalise within society.

Can democracy solve climate change?

Yes. A few years ago, nobody talked about climate change and now it’s a big issue, and people are taking it in, even rich companies are taking it in. People are starting to realise that making a stand for climate change is good for both the individual and the global world, just like democracy.

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