| The Catholic Church has submitted to Constitution Review Commission that the Christian Nation clause be removed from our Constitution. Recently Carter Conlon, a visiting pastor from the Times Square Church backed those demanding removal of the Christian nation tag (Post, October 28). Interestingly the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia who hosted the pastor from the USA has been reluctant to state its position on this issue. It is important that the EFZ be clear about their stand on this issue so that in future it may guide its members and visitors accordingly. Another interesting scenario to the Christian nation debate is the silence of all those who supported the Christian nation declaration during the Chiluba era. The Catholic Commission for Justice Peace alleged in 1998: The ruling party (Chiluba’s party) stands for everything that is holy and good. To oppose them is satanic. Political differences are now a question of evil versus good and not merely a struggle of different ideas....The Bible has become the source of intolerance, revenge, exclusion, hatred and division. We now often hear of how God will smite and bring destruction on the so called “enemies” of our nation. Anybody who does not appear to have proper Christian “credentials” has no place in Zambian society (State of the Nation, p. 8). Why then are our leading evangelical leaders who saw the hope of Zambia’s prosperity in a Christian nation not defending the declaration? Here are some statements from leading evangelical and Pentecostal leaders then, There is a Biblical case for a Christian nation; Chiluba’s ascent to presidency was God sent because the declaration (Christian nation) has enabled the country to experience spiritual release in the heavenlies; The powers of darkness that were restricting church growth have been rendered powerless as a result of the declaration; The state is now recognizing the church as a stakeholder in the moral, political and economic development of the country; ( Lawrence Temfwe, Role of EFZ in Declaring Zambia Christian Nation 1999) When Martin Luther was challenged to defend his views, he stated, “Unless I am convicted of error by the testimony of Scripture or by manifest reasoning I stand convicted by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God’s word, I cannot and will not recant anything. For to act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open for us. On this I take my stand. I can do no other, God help me. Amen.” Are those who supported the declaration during the Chiluba presidency changed their position? If they have they must be courageous enough and repent and ask for forgiveness to all those lay -persons they misled to believe that a Christian nation is biblical and attainable. If they keep silent about something they were so strongly convinced about, they maybe misunderstood as supporting the declaration for the benefit of diplomatic passports and to access the presidential discretionally fund. Whichever the case they must speak up and make their stand known.
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