We don’t need to declare Christianity

The National Letters

THE Constitution is already sufficient in promoting Christianity and any other religion for that matter, including our traditional beliefs.
Religions and denominations have coexisted for decades in Papua New Guinea under the guidance of the Constitution.
There is absolutely no need for the Constitution to be amended to make PNG more Christian.
Making PNG a Christian country via the Constitution is totally irrelevant and a disproportionate attempt by our Government in the face of current state of affairs in the country.
For such a constitutional amendment to be made that will have a long-lasting impact in our society, there should be relational significant events or situations in the country that would warrant such actions.
At the moment, there is nothing threatening our Christian faith, except that our Government continues to steal from the people.
There are other more pressing issues that the Government should be concerned about.
For instance; improving and strengthening the capacities of existing State institutions to address pertinent issues of national concerns such as corruption, lawlessness and environmental injustice to name a few.
The risk of this proposition is that if it goes to pass, it will set a disastrous ingredient in our Constitution that will have serious implications in the future.
We do not know what ideals and values the Government have considered or may consider to be Christian or to constitute Christianity.
For example; if the Government adopts all the values of one particular denomination to be the true Christian values and legislate them under this amendment, then in respect to question 4 of the consultation questionnaire, there is a risk that certain practices and beliefs of other denominations may be deemed un-Christian and, therefore, people would be subjected to penalties through the courts.
Followers of traditional beliefs and practices may also become victims.
Given the lack of domestic jurisprudence on what constitutes acceptable or recognised religious practices in PNG, religious violations, and its corresponding penalties, the enforcement and adjudication of this “would-be provision of the Constitution” is likely to be left open to arbitrary interpretations by the courts and consequently, arbitrary retributions.
As such, it is safer to ensure this amendment in the first place is not made.
As much as we want to be Christians or called Christians, it must be through of our faith and by our deeds and not by a piece of legislation.
If the law is to enforce compliance with Christian values and principles, what then would be the role of the church and the pastors?
The essence of evangelisation would then be lost, simply because there would be less emphasis on the practice of faith by conviction, self-reflection and spiritual connection to God.
It would be more a matter of compliance with the law and avoidance of retribution.
Is that the kind of Christianity that the Government envisage?
Before we say anything about the consultation questions, it would be worthwhile to ponder on the following questions and try to contextualise how this may play out if the amendment is made to the Constitution:

  • WHAT ideals and values does the government consider to be Christian or to constitute Christianity?
  • IF PNG is made a Christian country by Constitution, will the Government go further to declare a particular church as a State church?
  • WHICH church will the Government declare as the State church?
  • WOULD the practices of other churches be outlawed and those practicing it be subjected to penalties through the courts?
  • WHAT actions or practices would the Government consider as violations of Christian values and principles?
  • WHAT will be the penalties for violations of Christian values and principles?

Being a Christian by degree is not a precondition to developing a prosperous, peace-loving and morally upright followers of Christian faith.
Religion is an entity of freewill and faith.
It should not be a product of an enforceable law by the State.
As Christians, we are commanded to love and respect one another, not to judge or condemn.
This is the greatest commandment.
PNG will truly be a Christian nation by the witnesses, values and laws it promulgates that draws people by faith and not by legal dictation.

Jason Siwat
Madang