"Religion power" is in full force at this forum - its tents far bigger than any other groups. Their membership ranges from the Caritas Ecumenical Platform with 1,000 activists present representing over 300 Christian relief and social organisations to Franciscan and Paulines Sister of the Roman Catholic Church.

For it is in a multitude of steaming tents run by faith-based groups that crucial issues -ranging from good governance to peace building or poverty and HIV/AIDS - are being freely debated. These issues reflect the traditional concern and activities of churches in social issues across the globe, particularly in Africa.

At the same time, why not a bit of religious message? It’s a touchy subject, even in Africa where evangelism thrives and diverse religious groups vie to hold their flock and to add more.

"Religious groups are doing a good job in tackling social problems," says Sylvia Borren, Executive Director of Oxfam Netherlands and a noted expert on global social issues. "But my concern is whether they are also selling their religious message."

Defending the Poor

"Religion is important in solving social problems," says Elizabeth Jensen of Caritas International, a major Roman Catholic relief agency. "It gives you a platform. It commits people."

Jensen says evangelical work is not a part of the group’s social and charitable mission. One visible sign is a quote from the Bible, printed on the group’s booklet that, in fact, could be acceptable to many: "...speak out and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy! Proverbs 31:9."

Sister Sheila Kinsey of the Franciscan order from the United States finds social work and spreading the Gospel compatible. "We tell the message of the Gospel in our work," she says, "but there is no coercion. We just let the people know."

Intimate connection

Comboni Sister Teresita Cortes Aquirre of the Philippines freely refers to the Gospel as she recounts her social work for the poor in Kenya, since there is an "intimate connection" between the two.

Paulines Order Sister Stephanie deals with the HIV/AIDS. She says: "They know what we stand for and we help all." Hers is to advocate fidelity in marriage, abstinence and spiritual assistance to heal the stricken.

A rare condom use would be permissible in case one partner in a marriage is stricken with AIDS, she says.

Borren’s view is that religious teachings put women in a "subordinate position" denying some rights including her same-gender preference.

At the tent of the Franciscan Centre for Missionary Animation, they are selling T-shirts reading: "Behavioral Change is The Weapon for a Better World. Stick to it." At a mere $5, it is not a best-seller.

Activists from other religions were not in evidence at the forum. But religion is recognised as a key force in social life and transformation.

The force of religion was evident in the collapse of the Soviet Empire and the communist system in Eastern Europe in the 1980s and 1990s. The spark that began the chain of events dooming the communist system is traced to Pope John Paul II, who put his church firmly behind the free trade union movement in Communist Poland.

That may have been the religion power’s answer to the memorable remark by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, who once questioned its power by asking how many divisions the Pope had.