The imitation of Christ

DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
8/17/2007



The Imitation of Christ (De imitatione Christi), by Thomas à Kempis is the most widely read Christian spiritual guide first published anonymously, in Latin, ca. 1418; a manual of devotion intended to assist the soul with its pursuit of holiness and communion by way of imitation of Chirst’s practice in life. It is probably the greatest manual of devotion for Christians for five hundred years now. I narrate this to illustrate the meaning of our last column, as we received numerous questions about the meaning of historian Arnold Toynbees’ “mimesis” of “mimicry” of followers of their leaders.

The power of true leaders and leadership is measured by how the followers strive to imitate their example. In eliciting that mimicry, or re-enactment as in re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross or re-enactment of the crucifixion during Lent, lies the power of leaders like that of Christ even two thousand years after his death. With that mimicry or imitation, or constant re-enactment the example set by a leader or leadership a whole society or civilization can transform into his or its image – which may be messianic like Christ or hedonist like Herod of the decaying Roman Empire.

The Passion of Christ as subject to mimesis or mimicry is like all other religions where the leading figures serves as the object of imitation by its followers, such as the meditative asceticism of Buddhists saints, the militant religiosity of Islamic clerics, and mysticism of Hindu saints and philosophers. Politics too need objects of imitation, leaders and martyrs, especially transformational politics that requires tens or hundreds of millions of a nation to focus on a common goal and conduct their lives in a certain way towards that goal. Such is the overpowering importance of leadership.

Sacrifice, struggle and its goal, these are key elements in creating empathy between a leader and a people in a bond that creates “mimesis”. The charisma from an emotionally charged experience between the object of mimesis or the leader, and the mass of observers (of whatever social classes) lock them into a relationship. Shared suffering or the sense of it deepens the bond; but before all this can begin the indispensable ingredient is – trust. Once trust is established then the struggle becomes a shared endeavor, and the greater the trust over time the stronger the bond.

We began this discussion on leadership because of the search for a new direction for the nation after seven years of disastrous and deteriorating mal-governance of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Having been given practically dictatorial powers over the country the past seven years, Gloria has turned things from difficult to desperate, bad (after the Asian Financial Crisis mishandled by FVR) to the worse economically and politically as her governance deteriorated. The SWS survey of 2001 in comparison to its latest survey shows the people’s reaction”:

“New Philippine president net trust rating up, says survey” (Asian Political News,
Feb 5, 2001) Kyodo: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is slowly gaining the trust of people in Metro Manila, a survey said Wednesday. SWS, a private survey group, said Arroyo's net trust rating has gone up to positive 21 as shown in the Jan. 27 survey compared with negative 34 registered in Jan. 6-9 this year. In comparison, SWS said the net trust rating of former President Joseph Estrada further dipped to negative 18 from negative one over the same period.”

Seven years later the SWS report in its July 18-20, 2007 survey: “71% believe GMA is enriching herself from various corrupt practices; 77% believe FG Mike Arroyo is enriching himself from various corrupt practices; GMA very corrupt 22%; FG very corrupt 28%; 72% agree under the current regime corruption increased; under Gloria life became worst 64%; and in trust rating GMA –44; FG –64. In contrast, President Joseph Estrada’s rating follows: trust, + 45%; 66% do not believe that Erap enriched himself from various corrupt practices while he was President.

Gloria lost the people’s trust; President Estrada regained it and more. Gloria is in no position to convict Estrada. The “amnesty” being floated is really Gloria’s escape mechanism and not for Estrada. The seven-year trial buttressed Estrada’s innocence – as perceived by the vast majority of the people. SWS survey reports 82% believe Estrada should be allowed to post bail immediately. Up to 65% range either distrust the Sandigabayan (26%) or are uncertain of it (39%). Gloria’s blatant pressures, like full-page ads presuming conviction, diminished the Sandiganbayan.

Does President Estrada realize that is setting a new example in Philippine politics and leadership – of struggle and sacrifice for truth, setting a measure of leadership that is eliciting such trust that almost one in two of our countrymen express “high trust” of him; because of this and immense distrust of Gloria, the SWS also report that 65% of the people agree President Estrada influence in Philippine politics serves as important check to Arroyo. Today, Estrada embodies the nation’s vision against Gloria’s hedonist regime and the peaceful struggle to attain justice.

What is the extent of the people’s “mimesis” with Estrada’s small “imitation of Chirst”? To the extent that Gloria fears convicting Estrada, for the final overstepping of the bounds of justice could raise the fires of hell for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; and it maybe to the extent of finishing the last revolution.

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