The union of the holy and the worldly
The blending of the divine and the mundane
The intertwining of spirituality and everyday life
The fusion of religious and earthly elements
The connection between the sacred and the temporal

Each election cycle, I’m made aware of an uneasy reality: political figures understand how to deliver sermons. They aren’t merely running for office—they’re delivering prophecies. They pledge not only infrastructure, employment, and educational institutions but also salvation, purpose, and optimism. Moreover, pews frequently welcome these messages with enthusiasm.

When I began writing
Thus Saith the Candidate
I aimed to examine this uncomfortable union of politics and religion. Not in an academic manner, but through the fabric of a narrative. Fiction has a playful nature; it allows you to express ideas without pointing fingers. You smile, you react with surprise, you nod in disbelief. Then, at some point between the lines, you find yourself reflecting:
But hold on… this seems recognizable.

Within the imaginary country of Azuraya, J.K. Otieno’s bid for presidency goes beyond politics—it becomes a spiritual battle. Church leaders anoint him with their hands, places of worship channel funds toward his candidacy, and supporters claim opposing him equates to defying divine will. Seemingly extreme? Maybe. Difficult to believe? Not really.

A dangerous romance

It is not incorrect for individuals who hold religious beliefs to take part in political affairs. Indeed, democracy would suffer from their absence. The issue occurs when politics and religion cease to work together towards development and instead turn into a risky relationship filled with passion.

In
Thus Saith the Candidate
Sermons transform into political addresses, and collection plates evolve into instruments for raising money. Yet this is not just fictional. In reality, pulpit spaces have been converted into platforms. We’ve observed how religious rhetoric can be used as a tool to suppress disagreement and legitimize aspirations.

Once this occurs, elections cease to be competitions of concepts. Instead, they transform into struggles for spiritual integrity, with those who dissent not merely seen as rivals but as traitors. When democracy is cloaked in religious garb, challenging it often leads to accusations of sacrilege.

Fiction as a mirror

Why tell this tale through fiction? Because fiction acts like a mirror infused with humor, overstatement, and emotional intensity. It allows you to craft characters brave enough to express thoughts we merely murmur in taxi cabs. It enables the creation of controversies grand enough to seem fictional yet precise enough to hit close to home.

Using characters such as Rev. Malachi, Prophetess Halima, and Nuru Ayodele, my aim was to highlight the conflict between morality and concession. Malachi symbolizes the spiritual figure caught between honesty and allegiance. Halima reflects the allure of authority masked as divine message. Meanwhile, Nuru, the detective, stands for the everyday person brave enough to uncover hidden truths.

They are imaginary, indeed. However, if you observe closely, you might catch glimpses of their influence in current news stories.

The real questions

Ultimately,
Thus Saith the Candidate
It does not focus on J.K. Otieno. It focuses on us. It raises issues that we frequently hesitate to bring up openly due to politeness or fear:

• What occurs when clergy members take on roles as political strategists?
• Who is responsible for the shepherd when he exploits the sheep’s trust to nourish political predators?
• When does devotion to a candidate start appearing as worship of an icon?

These are challenging inquiries. However, unease should not be considered an adversary. Rather, silence is.

Between faith and fanaticism

A particularly concerning passage in the book occurs when a preacher addresses his church group:
To oppose Otieno is to go against divine will.
That statement, despite its ridiculousness, is horrifyingly realistic.

It serves as an alert regarding the delicate boundary separating belief from extremism. Belief pursues truth; extremism dreads it. Belief sets people free; extremism binds them. Belief encourages moral awareness; extremism insists on uniformity. When religious practices turn into extremism, politics turns into its stage.

Why this story matters

So what makes someone want to read
Thus Saith the Candidate
Not because it will inform you about whom to vote for. Literature is not a voting slip. However, it serves as a reminder that democracy doesn’t solely collapse when votes are manipulated. At times, it fades away when places of influence are taken over.

It fades when the church, mosque, or sanctuary neglects its spiritual duty and turns into a platform for political gain. It vanishes when citizens are influenced not through wealth or terror but by invoking the name of God.

This narrative holds significance as it encourages us to safeguard both our beliefs and our democratic principles against misuse. To maintain their conversation without allowing either to become subjugated.

The conclusion of the outset

As I completed the final sentence of the book, I both grinned and winced simultaneously. Grinned, as writing fiction gave me the chance to blend humor and tension into an engaging narrative. Wincing, as hidden within the irony was truth—untidy, unfiltered, and deeply personal.

Thus, my contemplation concludes with the very same call the book presents: Read. Reflect. Challenge. Debate. However, most importantly, do not allow anyone to convince you that opposing a political leader or preacher equates to opposing God.

If we ever stop recognizing that diversity is essential, then both democracy and religion will lose their essence.

About the author

Terry Mante

is a visionary who offers motivation and guidance through his work as an author, business instructor, leadership advisor, and public speaker, helping both companies and individuals enhance their performance. He serves as the Lead Consultant at Terry Mante Exchange (TMX). Follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok under @terrymante and
www.terrymante.org
.

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