Nagaland Total Prohibition Act

There was a time when paan shops and drinking joints closed down by themselves due to loss in business in many places. There was no government order or campaign of any sort. Nobody forced anyone. The church just preached. People understood and took the message and were transformed. That was Nagaland in 1970’s and early part of 80s when we were engulfed in revival fire. Secondly, as a child I remember seeing people standing in long queues during elections. There was no fighting. Booth capturing or ‘coup’ was never heard of. Buying and selling of votes was beyond imagination. Where have all the good senses gone now?

Everyone knows alcohol is bad. Smoking kills. Tobacco is injurious. Fornication and adultery is evil. Gossiping is destructive. Corruption in work places is sin. In fact, on this subject matter, there are better preachers in the bars than on the pulpit! But we remain stubborn and love to indulge. Why? Because anything taboo is attractive - It is not science or theology; it is human nature. Stolen kisses are sweet. Nothing is more tempting or tastier than the forbidden fruit. And so many people are racing towards death with a confirmed ticket. The traffic is slow on the highway to destruction due to heavy jam!

To disobey is inborn in men; the first sin which began in Eden. The problem with our people today is DISOBEDIENCE. What we need now is a little bit of ‘obedience’ and all these Prohibition act and Clean Election Campaign will work or won’t be necessary. However, true lasting ‘obedience’ comes from within through “spiritual rebirth” and “intellectual refinement.” In fact when it comes to integrity, many atheists will beat believers. Salvation of the soul is another matter though. And when a man goes through these “refining processes” he will develop a sense of “shame and regret.” We call it conscience. All these corruptions and what not will gradually decrease when the lawbreakers get A FEELING of SHAME and REGRET for their misdeeds. So, in my opinion, spiritual and moral ethics are something to be preached and taught and not otherwise.