Clement Langa

A Good Slave: Dwelling in the Subtleties of Bondage Clement Langa

Religious institutions that ignore reforms will not survive in this changing world . . . The cry of the myriads who have been condemned into slavery will one day be heard' The author, a theologian, points out that slavery takes many forms, and that 'good slaves' pander to powerful institutions, helping to prevent reforms and the acceptance of new ideas. Institutions such as the Catholic Church, especially in Southern Africa, are particularly prone to weakness on this account. With declining relevance to current social and philosophical movements, their congregations are undermined by pantheistic priests and self-seekers in sodalities who want power and financial control for themselves. So the source of good becomes a source of evil . . . Dr Clement Langa's learned handling of Christian beliefs, social trends and the challenges of fundamentalism has given his work cogency and a cutting edge. He does not mince his words. They contain a stark warning, but they also have a message of hope for us all.