Segment Amathongo Episode 3 - Part 3 The Conclusion Toxic Masculinity in Religion & Tradition

Send us a textThe Conclusion with Mkhulu Manzolwandle Toxic Masculinity in religion and tradition. Guest: Mkhulu Manzolwandle On all social media handle : Mkhulu Manzolwandle Subscribe on show link for more content. Support the showSubscribe and Follow us on all social media platforms.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:05

I am based in Jonas Bay. I'm a spiritual healer and a gobela, a spiritual mentor. There are so many ways one can speak of toxicity. When one has to explain the word toxic, to my understanding, it talks to something that seeks to impair other people, affect other people negatively. Because if something is toxic, it is not only toxic to you, but it extends to be affecting others negatively. So that is what my understanding is when it comes to toxicity. So if we're saying this thing is toxic, I understand the booty, it means then it's affecting others also negatively, not only yourself. It is not easy to make people understand religion and tradition. And I always say because of the interchangeable way people use these words and the understanding that has now been the lines are so blared that when people talk of our traditions, they think too it's a religion. African spirituality is not a religion, it is a way of life, as an example. When we talk religion, we are talking about a man-made thing that have certain doctrines that is based on certain belief systems. A religion is formulated and then is presented to people. A way of life, which is our traditions, is are the ways that our ancestors used to live, which then they passed down to us. We are not taught these things, but we are informed and educated differently because this will come from our own families. To say, La in this clan, this is how we do Imbelego, this is how we do Umshadu, this is how we handle. That is not religion, that is tradition, that is the way of life of a group of people and our the religion, then it's a belief system. That is where the difference is. There is nothing that is entirely right and or entirely wrong, or where we say something is totally bad or is totally good. There's no such thing, right? So when we're saying, do we believe that there are toxic traits in religion and traditions? Oh yes, there will be. There will be because these unfortunately will always be influenced by certain stereotypes. So we do not, religion does not exist outside stereotypes because it's humans, right? And humans always want to do things in the way they see fit, in the way that benefits them. So if we are looking at tradition and religion, oh my goodness, I believe there are so many toxic traits. However, these were not always the case. But I believe that with the evolution and people and time have changed, people adopt certain things. For example, now we are looking at our women, and we say they must be submissive to men. That is never what our traditions taught. That's why you will hear of Unkoska's called in your vugas. If you understand the symbolism of that, you understand that it talks to the wisdom, it talks to the authority, it talks to the leadership that women were playing in families. At what point then did it change that women are inferior to men? It is because of what I'm talking about, the stereotypes and the inclusion of other ways that people are adopting as we go. However, even in religion, now you'll understand that there's this segregation that men are stronger and better than women. We look at religion like Christianity, for example, it seems to be portraying women in an inferiority way. Name any woman you can think of there, and in comparison to men, you'll realize that there's always something negative or bad that is said about them. Or they are not given the space to be seen as if they were strong and leaders. So, yes, both tradition and religion somehow portray these toxic traits. Our traditions, when they were put in place, they were never designed to be oppressive to women. No. And you you tend to understand that people have this thing later in the years that say, ah, in our own father, say kitchen, a woman's place is in the kitchen, meaning they have to cook and care and everything else for the family. You you you you are missing something there because our women were always in the center of the decision making. As this man is going out there to fend and make sure that he collects as much to feed his family. That man dependent on the guidance of the woman. At no stage, our our forefathers established our traditions in the center of it, saying we must make sure that we oppress women. Instead, there's a history, there's proof out there that said women were treated specially, women were understood that this was their role, they were advisors, there were people that were also leading with these men, and they were doing their best to build these communities. Tradition can be limiting. Like anything else, it depends on how one who takes it on, or one who's practicing or who's affiliated to us to it, is actually understanding it. Because tradition, remember, in most cases, our traditions did not evolve, or they were never amended to adjust to the times. So in our current times, we'll find that there are certain uh belief systems and traditions that we deem outdated or they could have been amended to suit the today's world, right? So, yes, there's always going to be that limitation, and that limitation is based on the times and the refusal of those who are practicing that tradition to actually adjust and align with current times. I am one that never wants to believe that any traditional religion, its biggest aim or in the center, or what is more important about it, we will talk about manipulation and trying to get people to conform with the system. That that that that from my personal perspective, yes, like any other thing, when it is developed, it is developed to make sure that people comply, right? And when you are going to have to get a group of people who come from different backgrounds, who come from different thinking, who have different personalities, come from different school of thoughts to conform and toe the line and follow certain principles, you you there's not much of a democracy you can allow there. Yes, there are certain things that you'll allow, but in order for that system or whatever it is, even in a family to work, one needs to make sure that they've got strict rules and procedures that are going to be followed by everyone. I don't call that manipulation, but I'm calling that that there's a certain level of discipline that is required, and that discipline might challenge your personal way of thinking. So then it says you're going to have to make sure that you adjust to be in line with what you agree with. So I don't call that manipulation. Tradition does not instill fear, it is the people that are manipulating tradition to use it to instill fear. Like any belief system, as I said again, whether it's going to be religion, whether it's going to be our tradition, whatever it is, because people like to manage things and they don't want to lose their grip in power and control, they tend to use fear-mongering as a way of getting people to tell the line. But we cannot say tradition itself, it instills fear. No, no, no, no. I disagree with that notion. There's there's there's this thing happening in America where there's the anti-gun uh uh uh uh people and then there's the pro-ones. And from the pro-gun people, they are saying it is not guns who are killing people, but it is people using guns wrongly that is causing the chaos in America. And to a certain degree, I tend to agree with that. You you need the guns, right, for your own safety and protection for your family. Because imagine you are finding yourself being attacked, and then you don't have anything to protect yourself with. But if you are going to take that very same gun that was meant to do good, protect you, use it to go and do a massacre. It's a different thing altogether. So we could do we then say gun is wrong. One will say yes because depending on which side they're coming from, one will say no, depending on which side they're coming from. I am of the view that our traditions are not instilling fear on people, it is how they are used and manipulated by those who are leaders, if I were to put it that way, who are actually leading and assisting people to understand our traditions, are misusing our traditions to instill fear. The only best way to practice religion or be part of any religion or any tradition, it is to make sure that you remain an individual within a group. The problem with our people today is if the leader or the one who is in front seems to be preaching this thing or saying these things and they push this narrative of their own, the followers tend to follow without using their own discernment. Now, that is where the problem is. So it means then as people who are in religions or who are in traditions, we need to make sure that we analyze things, make sense of it before we practice it or before we follow it. Because blind following is what is causing the problems we have today in our traditions and even in one of our religions. It is this blind following and these popular narratives. People like to go with popular narratives. It is wrong. You you cannot now simply because there seems to be a wave of a new way of thinking, you then take it with everything and drop everything else that you knew simply because the way of thinking now is saying what you knew was wrong. You need to analyze these things. I remember I said nothing is ever totally right and totally wrong. So always find the good areas, Togozan. For those that want to follow me or follow my teachings and learn more from me, please follow me on all social media platforms. It's Mkulu Manzolo Anjle on all platforms.

SPEAKER_02 11:22

I would like to thank my guests, Mkulu Menzi, Kakudu Maseko, Khose Khadi Mamuso, and Mkulu Manzoloantle. Thank you for gracing us and sharing your knowledge and your wisdom, and you're leaving behind knowledge that our children and their children will know. Wisdom over fame. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 11:51

The Unspoken Truth is the catalyst for important and thought provoking conversations that need to be had. The network tackles social ills, spiritual healing, soul searching, and mental health awareness. To subscribe, click on the show link to follow our podcast and be part of the Unspoken Truth family. Find us on all social media platforms.