Stop ‘Waigani Madness’ from destroying culture

 THE “Waigani Madness” described by Dr Jacob Simet in The National last Friday has more to it. 

The church promoting this phenomenum is taking Papua New Guinea down a path that will result in sectarian conflicts and violence among Christians.

The Longman’s Contemporary English dictionary defines a sect as a group of people with their own particular set of beliefs and practices, especially within or separate from the larger religious groups.

This issue begs the following questions:

1. Is God tired of the monotonous system of worshipping by the mainstream  Christian churches?

2. Does salvation and blessing require repentance and penance enmass? 

3. Are local cultures and traditions satanic in nature?

4. Does the age of a Bible books determine God’s influence and inspiration on the reader?

5. Isn’t such adoration of a 400-year old Bible idolatry by nature?

Furthermore, it has the potential of promoting sectarian violence because the country is now divided into three groups – mainstream churches, PNG cultural conservatives and the “Waigani Madness” group. 

The actions of the last group are like poking sharp needles into the core values of the two former groups.

In the event that they come into a confrontational debate in the street or in villages where tribalism is strong, violence will explode.

So I urge this group to stop making a big fuss about the 400-year old Bible and also stop undermining our cultural heritage because salvation is an individual’s issue with God.

PNG pays respect and homage to its culture and heritage, which are the source of its strength. 

Are we not a proud sovereign country that will soon celebrate 40 years of political independence and nationhood.

Jackson Korave, Via email