PM: PNG is all Christian

The National Main Stories

THE National Executive Council has approved a proposal to formally declare Papua New Guinea a Christian country.
Prime Minister James Marape said in a statement PNG was founded on two principles: our cultural heritage and our Christianity. Both are declared in the preambles to the Constitution.
PNG has more than 20 church denominations, with the Catholic Church enjoying the biggest membership, followed by the Lutheran Church, United Church and Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“Many who claim to be Christians integrate their faith with indigenous beliefs and practices,” he said.
“The influence of the church has transformed many societies to the extent of replacing some cultural beliefs while some have merged culture with religion.
“Christian churches are also providing 60 to 80 per cent of social and welfare services in the country.
“Therefore the churches’ networks are trusted by the people.”
Marape said the proposal to declare PNG as a Christian country in the Constitution was supported by an overwhelming number of citizens.
“While the preamble of our Constitution begins with our noble traditions and Christian principles that are ours, Section 45 of the Constitution however not only recognises the Christian religion or Christianity but others as well,” he said.
“Every person is given the freedom of religion and to practise it as long as it does not interfere with the freedom of others.
“But this freedom is not complete freedom.
“It can be regulated or restricted by the government for purposes of defence, public safety, public order, welfare and public health requirements.”
He said Section 55 promoted the equality of all citizens irrespective of religion.
“But the Government can enact laws against these sets of qualified rights as long as they comply with Section 38 and Section 55 (2) of the Constitution.”
“Other religions will be allowed to practise their faith in the country but to respect Christianity as the official state religion,’’ he said.

31 comments

  • Christian country means no other religions should be entertained in PNG.
    If not we are still not a Christian Country.

    • HISTORY is a story of one man, one act, and One day.

      Let’s not argue, let’s thank our PM for making a bold and wise decision.

      We all are sinners but same is true God’s love is behold our little sins that we can name it .

      Look at the Cross ,you don’t need to be a good man to get this name Christian, some one left His splendour to give you this name Christian -Christi in you .

      Simply accept him as your personal Saviour.

      You cannot save yourself from your sin(s) so Jesus came .

      To God be the Glory.

  • We could only declare a christian country if there is no other religion in PNG. Currently we have also different other religions.

  • Around the world, PNG is infamous for its murder rate, domestic violence, widespread belief in sorcery, corruption and polygamy, amongst other evils. Nowhere else are the Ten Commandments so blatantly ignored.
    Declaring it a “Christian Country” can do nothing but promote atheism and Islam.

  • Don’t forget Islam is already here.! Christian country could mean everyone is following the principles of Christianity but not…can we also say we are also a satanic society..??

  • I agree with Rufus. How can we call ourselves Christians, while our country is labeled as one of the most corrupt countries in world? This is a hypocrisy of the highest order and we will only make ourselves a laughing stock to the world at large. Changing the laws will not make any difference. Even wearing a Christianity tag will not bail us out of the corruption mire we are in. Nobody is talking about changing himself or herself. Change starts with each individual. The word Christian means; Christ like or displaying and portraying the characters of Jesus Christ. Actions speak louder than words. Do we all portray Christ-like characters in our daily lives?

  • Hi J.A what church alone you expecting to be in png. As long as our faith is major concern to Creater (Lord) don’t border about churches its regardless, as long as you have faith with Lord even though what denominations you are

  • If PNG is a Christian country then it makes us the country with most hypocrites.
    The Haus Tambaran is a curse to the nation. That is why there is so much sin and nothing indicating blessings.

  • First thing first, Other religions must leave this country ( PNG) if they are not Christians. ( Faith in Christ Jesus)

    A Christian nation as we will declare in 10 years as riches nation in the world must start somewhere and this is the time.
    Jesus said to Thomas, You touched, feel and believe but Blessed are those who without seeing, touch and yet they believe in me!
    We can’t serve any other prophets other then our Lord Christ Jesus himself.
    Amen!!

  • I though the prime minister wants to change png. If this law is passed, it will only increase discrimination in png. PNG attitude and mentality is different from the rest of the world, people will misunderstand this as the right to chase other religions out of the country.
    It will not make us progress, it will only make us regress back to the 1970’s.

  • PMJM & your National Executive Council, I take this time to say thank you team, you have made the right decision, when mandated leaders dedicate a Nation to God the Creator, then the Lord honors the decision, you are Dedicating at the the right appointed time, as of this decision made,definitely soon or later will see some great changes for the good of this Nation.. The Lord Bless PNG….

  • How many times we have to declare this nation a christian country in the house of all devils..! Sir Skate did the same with one Criflo Kina or Toea..! And Somare did but all the sin in the evil house never goes away! This evil affects a citizens of this nation from the top to the lowest in the villages who kill each other and not forgetting so called pastors who seem to worship money than the lord Jesus Christ. Do we still go on declaring ourselves christians again and again..?? We might have to get baptised 100 times too!!

  • Well done! The idea is for everyone to honor Jesus Christ throughout PNG. Any one who honors other gods like money women sports entertainment ego spak na pamuk watch out coz the decree is passed by PM.

  • Thank you, for the current government, for the right decision, acknowledging our mighty God our creator, of heaven,earth,and the sea by dedicating our nation Papua Niugini to our God, Therefore in the House of parliament may God bless all the decisions in fear of God our creator,and may HE grant our government with wisdom, knowledge and understanding…God bless PNG

  • That’s all mauswara. Of course, in theory we are already in majority a Christian country, but then look at the sins of our Christian country. How many people get killed and chopped up in PNG? Where is the respect for life? How many women get accused of sorcery, are tortured, burned, hacked into pieces etc? Everything about sorcery related violence comes is evil and comes from the devil. Those who accuses innocent people call themselves Christians. If you don’t believe, check for yourself in parliament how many MPs are believing in sorcery. How about polygamy? I wonder how many MPs, business men and educated men, who go to church every Sabbath or Sunday have a second or third wife? Not to mention those men and women who have extra marital affairs and relationship. And how about tribal fighting. Of course it’s something tribal and traditional, part of our culture. But if you accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour, then there should be no tribal fighting, murder, destruction of properties etc in a culture that has supposedly embraced and accepted Christ. If we cannot get rid of Sorcery related practises and Tribal fighting then forget about declaring PNG a Christian country. Oh…and I almost forgot to mention CORRUPTION. The House of Parliament should be a place of respect and reverence for each other, for the constitution, for human rights and for virtues such as honesty and transparency. But I don’t see any of that in the House of Parliament. Most of the MPs are corrupt to the bone. Nothing is done without corruption. Lying to the nation, shouting at and cursing each others in Parliament and many more things.
    So Marape, your intentions are commendable, but reality tells us something different. On the surface we claim to be Christians, but beneath the surface we are corrupt, and none of the 10 commandments is respected. Sorry for this criticism but thats the truth. There are only very few people who can be regarded as Christians. The majority is unfortunately far from what being a Christian is all about.

  • Christianity has been here for ages. Declaring PNG a Christian nation wont make any difference. Enough of wishfull thinking. Our Government need to restrategise and review the entire government system and then start implementing realistic policies framework effectively in each sector to make this country a safe,smart & wealthier nation.
    Thanks

  • Let’s forget about being Christians for a while. We have been Christians for so long but why do we still have so much trouble, corruption, sorcery, violence, etc? People’s attitude and mindset have not been changed, will not change either.
    So what exactly do we need to do now? Of course we need GOD Almighty and nothing else.
    All the social ills we have tells us 100 percent, that we are a Godless society.
    One of the most profound gifts God has given mankind is a “Gift of Choice”.

    We must CHOOSE between GOD and RELIGION. If we follow religion, we will go against God. In this end times, PNG need God more than ever before.
    If ONLY we all Repent, Be Baptised by full Immersion and Receive God’s Holy Spirit, Everything will change for the better for our country.
    Every person needs a spiritual rebirth as Jesus Christ conversed with Nicodemus and advised him to do in John 3:3-6.

    Those who have gone through this process will understand what I am saying here.

    I used to do a lot of bad and corrupt things before but after I repented, got baptised by full immersion, and received God’s Holy Spirit at the waters of Baptism, my life has been totally transformed.
    My past sins have been forgiven, I now have a reason to live, and my destination is Heaven.

    We don’t need to declare ourselves Christians. Our missing link is God’s Holy Spirit.

  • When King declares; it becomes National Blessing or National Cursing. Blessings of God to the gentile nations comes through Christ Jesus and no one other way. If Prime Minister of PNG declares PNG a Christian Country in the world by enacting in our constitution, then we are Christian Country. Romans Chapter 13 talks about all government originated from GOD, therefore the country must be established on Godly principals.

    Mathew 10:32 Jesus said “If someone declare publicly that he or she belongs to me, I will do the same before my father”.

    Prime Minister of PNG is shamelessly declaring PNG a Christian Nation, one day down the history lane God will live his word in PNG. He will raise PNG among world.

    BY THIS DECLARATION, PNG IS MADE UNIQUE AMONG THE WORLD.

    In book of Corinthians states that ” THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD IS WISER THAN MAN” It is the foolishness of our Prime Minister making PNG wiser among all nations in the sight of GOD.

    Regards

    Timothy Tambu Tubah

  • Timothy Tamb appreciate your commencements, God has given us the Authority to degree & Declare, this is actually what PMJM did, definitely the Lord will intervene to show his Glories powers, we can not live without him….

  • Sin em nature blo man oh, as christians of this nation ask his forgiveness & continue seek his Face. Because of His sustaining Grace PNG still able to live with coruption and all sorts but God will continue sustain our nation because majority of us are Christians. Therefore we must declare that PNG is for the LORD and the people of PNG are Christians.

  • If the head of a nation declare an oath before God, God will honour it.
    I want to warned those that put negative comment in this post . You will reap what you sow.
    Trust me maybe in a near future!!
    God richly bless those of you who are supporting our PM.

  • Been a Christain means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ through repetence and living a Christ like life which is full of forgiveness, love and respect for one another and following the ten commandments.
    We can truly claim to be a Christian country when we all practise wait the bible teaches us do.

  • Christainty is about forgiven. We need to repent as a nation and start living a Godly life according what the bible teaches us to do.
    The bible states that all of us are sinners and have fallen short the glory of God therefore we all need repent, forgive each other and learn to love, respect and help one another.

  • I note the different contentions being raised in this thread; that PNG is not fully a Christian country, that we have other religions to consider and that the state or our country does not reflect our declaration professing and officiating our faith. However, I’d be lying if I were to say that this would be one of the best decisions we’ve made as country.

    Why? Because for so long we’ve seen this nation ravaged and torn because of external influences that have divided our people – on the question of morality, governance, religion and so forth. We have become a puppet to corporate powers and greed.

    Much of which is admittedly our fault for not having the backbone to stand up to do what’s right. So when I see policies that are made that reflect our intention to develop in a way that is truly Papua New Guinean, the decision to officially declare PNG a Christian nation is a way – saying to the world – this is PNG, this is our decision to serve the Lord. Yes, we have issues…. but so does every other nation, and that our progress as a nation will be one that will be determined by Papua New Guinean hands and minds.

    We shouldn’t be quick condemn our future because there are good people who are also working tirelessly to build the PNG that they know will become, let’s be a little optimistic guys.

    For once, why can’t we all see the best in ourselves and see what we can accomplish for our nation instead of tearing ourselves apart.

  • PM JM and all others with the so-called pastors and Christian Church leaders who are so obsessed in their ” Christian Zionism” with their own Christian beliefs and practices displaying their narrow worldview while living and engaging in trade and international relations with the wider global community comprising of different religions. We are engaging in trade and exchange with Japan, China, Indonesia, India and other countries with high level of work ethics and human conscience to guide their livelihood and have prospered and developed without curse and condemnation though there are less number Christians in those countries. The level of corruption displayed in our country PNG, with the brutal killings and stealing to name a few social ills serve as the best measuring yard to declare PNG as a least Christian Nation compared to other Christian countries around the globe. I have two neighbors, a Muslim follower of Islamic Religion and a Hindu living and are both working in PNG but they are more committed and dedicated in their work and display a very high level of human conscience, pray three times a day and fast during the Ramadan and they appear to be good citizens and productive where as most PNG Christians appear to be lazy, absent at the work place, begging and become unproductive citizens derailing the country.

    Christianity is only one religion out of many world religions in the likes of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism. Christianity has its roots in Judaism and Jesus practiced Judaism, his parents got him circumcised in the temple 8 days after he was born (Gospel of Luke). He lived, worked with the Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducee who proclaimed themselves as pious people but were bunch of hypocrites. Jesus slowly and humbly had positive influence to change the nation of Israel and its people with his 12 Apostles and other disciples following him with enthusiasm without grand standing and declaration of a Christian Religion. Christianity was born out of Judaism with humility and love as the mother of all human virtues.
    Declaring PNG as a Christian Nation by Grand Chief M. T Somare with a Public Holiday, the National Repentance Day, former Speaker Theo. Zureonoc removing totems in Parliament and replacing with National Unity and Identity Pillar and KJV Bible brought in from America allegedly using tax payers money are all influence of Christian belief but NOTHING HAS CHANGED AND IMPROVED since, CORRUPTION AND SOCIAL ILLS HAVE INCREASED TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL DISQUALIFYING US FROM CALLING PNG A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY IN PRACTICE. HYPOCRISY INDEED!

    PM JM PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO “SOME” OF THE SO CALLED CHURCH LEADERS AND APPROVE THEIR PROPOSALS TO DECLARE PUBLIC HOLIDAY, PRAYER DAY, REPENTANCE DAY, MOURNING DAY ETC.., THEY ARE AFTER MONEY….AND FAME.

    TRUE PASTORS AND PROPHETS OF GOD ARE HUMBLE AND OFFER WISDOM….THE SAME GROUP OF SO CALLED PASTORS GATHERED IN THE FUNCTION ROOM IN PARLIAMENT HOUSE, PRAYED AND ILL ADVISED GOVERNMENT -THEY ARE PASTORS AND THEY SHOULD BE DOING PASTORAL WORK WITH THE POOR AND NEEDY, NOT WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT AS GOVERNMENT ADVISORS. ARE THEY AFTER MONEY?
    PASTORS OFFER ADVICE FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE PASTORAL FIELDS WITH THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY DO NOT COMPROMISE ON THE BAD DECISIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT BUT STAND WITH THE PEOPLE AND BE THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS.

    NOW YOU DECLARE PNG AS A CHRISTIAN NATION AND WILL BECOME THE RICHEST BLACK NATION. IS IT A FANTASY?
    BUT THE PREAMBLE OF CONSTITUTION PROMOTES FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND CONSCIENCE. ARE CHRISTIAN LEADERS BREACHING HUMAN RIGHTS OR IMPOSE CHRISTIAN RELIGION ON ALL CITIZENS?
    DO NOT PROMOTE YOUR RELIGIOUS CULT MENTALITY AND BE NARROW MINDED…?
    THE PRIME MINISTER SHOULD BE NEUTRAL IN HIS PUBLIC APPEARANCE AND DECLARATION BUT HE MAY EXPLICITLY PRACTICE HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH IN HIS OWN CHURCH WITH THE CONGREGATION.

    TO ACCOMMODATE ALL CITIZENS PRACTICING DIFFERENT FAITH / RELIGIONS IN PNG AND TO WORK WITH PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT FAITH IS THE REALITY WE ARE FACED WITH WHILE PNG IS PART OF THE GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
    PROMOTE THE SPIRIT OF ECUMENISM AND INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE.. .THAT IS THE WAY FORWARD IN THE CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL COMMUNITY , TO RESPECT PEOPLE AS HUMAN PERSONS WITH THEIR FAITH AND CONSCIENCE OR EVEN IF ONE IS AN ATHEIST AND DOES NOT BELIEVE IN GOD–.

  • When there is God in the particular place, there is also evil involve so be mindful that Satan want to attack where there is strong hold for God. If PNG is a Christian country than Satan is the main target to influence PNG to follow him and where as other countries they were not Christians so the Devil is not busy because he knows that they on his side. So PNG let us be bold and stand firm knowing that we are protected by the blood of Jesus Christ. No matter what the devil do to destroy and make bad image for this nation but we are still belong to the living GOD. PNG is not ashamed to be a Christian black nation as declared by the Hon: Prime Minister J.Marape.

  • Well said by independent observer and Anton Sumuk…PMJM please don’t…just concentrate on your duty as the managing director of png and not an evangelist or pastor.

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