Khat is used by about 10 million people around the world on a daily basis. It is a green leaf that is chewed giving a stimulant effect, maybe like drinking something that is highly caffeinated. The chewing of khat has been practiced for thousands of years in some areas. Evidently there are also detrimental effects are associated with khat which is illegal in many countries including the United States.
Apparently khat has become quite controversial in Kenya where it is also called miraa. The chewing of khat is a long standing custom in Kenya. Khat is given as a sign of respect. It is used to promote reconciliation. It cements a bond between people.
While khat has important social significance, it also has economic implications. The growing and selling of khat is an important cash crop. The income from khat helps families pay for food, clothes, and school fees. Without the income from khat, poverty would be even worse in Kenya.
Now, let’s take a look at the church’s outlook on khat. Khat is regularly shared in church settings. Apparently, if someone does not have money, they may put khat in the offering plate. Because of khat, people have money to support the ministries of the church and the pastor. Some churches grow khat and use the proceeds for charitable work. [Anyone at church want to start a medical marijuana garden?!] The feeling is that without khat, the people could not support themselves or the church. Children could not go to school. The elimination of khat would cause many problems.
Many church people in Kenya see khat as a blessing; a special gift from God. They feel that God is looking out for them by giving them this plant that grows in the difficult environmental conditions they have. God provided khat so that the people would have a way to live and be able to support the church.
A problem has developed since the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Kenya has determined that khat is not healthy for people and that its use should be eliminated. People in churches are up in arms defending khat because it sustains them and the church. To me this is a brain bender. Can we imagine the church in the US being a main voice in favor of medical marijuana, for example. Probably not.
But the church in the US has benefitted from alcohol and tobacco. Churches have stock in companies that do business in liquor and cigarettes. Churches have members who support themselves growing, manufacturing and selling products involving alcohol and tobacco. People support the work of the church with money produced by industries, products and services related to alcohol and tobacco. And though using wine for communion can hardly be compared with the chewing of khat at church, what did churches that use wine for communion do during prohibition?
Before we form an opinion one way or the other on khat, what we want to notice is that the church is influenced and impacted in significant ways by the culture in which it exists. As a human institution, the church in different eras and in different geographical contexts is shaped by the culture around it. At our church, we have a tradition that alcohol is not served on church property. If a church event is at someone’s home, then alcohol is fine. And what about smoking? It is against the law to smoke in the buildings, of course, but we have outdoor ash receptacles for church members who are smokers. There are other Christian contexts today that would not make such concessions to the use of alcohol or tobacco. And then there is coffee. We serve coffee at fellowship time as a matter of course. In some church contexts that would be shocking because caffeine is seem as a dangerous, unhealthy stimulant.
While we are talking about cultural influences on the use of certain substances, we want to recognize that culture also influences other matters at church. Culture influences activities and schedules. It may determine what music is used and how services are conducted. But culture effects more than simply the practical aspects of church life. Culture also impacts theological outlooks and morals. Culture plays a role in shaping how we understand God, how we define “good”, and how we behave toward others.
Is khat “bad”? In the US it is considered a schedule one drug that is essentially banned. In Kenya, khat is considered a gift and blessing from God to bring the community together and provide for their material needs. God gave the people khat to sustain them like manna in the wilderness. As with much about Christianity and other religions what you believe may largely depend on where you are standing. At LUCC, please, no khat in the offering plate.
Prayer: We are thankful for the great diversity of culture and peoples in the world. We are thankful for the diversity of nature. Such wild creativity is testimony to the incredible spirit of God. May we keep love at the center of our beliefs. May we acknowledge and attempt to recognize the role that culture plays in shaping our faith. May we affirm other expressions of Christianity. Let us not be daunted by the quest to live by faith in whatever may be our here and now. Amen.
For more on khat in Kenya, see, “Khat: A Gift from God?” by Isaac Mwangi in The Christian Century, March 5, 2014, pp. 26-19.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 