The Sunday Mail
THE past weeks have seen some exchanges in the media on the place of religions in our society.
For very a long time, the subject of religious tolerance and pluralism has assumed robust and respectful exchanges in Zimbabwe, and beyond that, peaceful existence.
However, the recent past weeks saw what one may call a spat in the media — print, electronic, and social — on the place of various religions in the Zimbabwean society.
The background to the spat has to do with recent reports on the (temporary) barring of Scripture Union, an interdenominational Bible teaching co-curricular activity from schools by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.
This reportage drove the rumour mill into over drive, with all manner of claims and allegations being made against and at times in the names of certain individuals, religions, and entities.
Different faiths, religions and traditions have co-existed for a considerable long period of time in Zimbabwe with little reported conflicts.
Zimbabwe is officially neither a religious nor secular state. Officially because there is no law which recognises a State religion or prohibits any.
Of course, everyone ought to know that by both tradition and practice, Zimbabwe is a Christian society and nation, one may add.
This was not and has not been a product of accident, chance or force, but choices which people have made over a period of time, and still make until this day, in response to a message of faith they may have been exposed to.
A majority of the population confess the Christian faith and this is corroborated by statistics and attendances at places of worship.
This Christian tradition has found expression in almost every fabric of society, and it is important to emphasise that there is nothing and has never been anything untoward, unlawful, or unconstitutional about it.
The Christian faith and traditions have found expression in places of learning, workplaces, State and official or public events and functions, political arenas, to name but just a few.
It can be added that the institutionalisation of the Christian faith in both individuals and the Zimbabwean society has not been without tremendous benefit to the nation, not just in the shaping of positive morals among the population, but also in terms of infrastructure, development, the enduring hope for a better future that has sustained the people until now, as well as the acknowledged restraint and maturity Zimbabweans have exhibited in times of challenges.
To their credit, Zimbabwean Christians have conducted themselves with the greatest of respect towards the sensibilities of non-Christians and other faiths, except this one thing they may have maintained namely, the proclaimed supremacy and primacy of Christianity over other confessions, something natural for a monotheistic faith to do.
Against this background, it is important for every Zimbabwean of faith or otherwise to refrain from anything that is meant to stoke tensions, stereotypes, or perceptions about any faith which are not there, unless testified to from a position of conviction or intimate knowledge.
Let every people enjoy the space to worship or not worship in line with their convictions, if any. And each person will give an account before the Righteous Judge of all creation for their deeds at the end of time, for all the things they have done whilst in this earthly body.
There is, therefore, no need for anyone to take issue with the Christian faith on account of any mean or provocative statements some individuals may utter or have uttered or cause to fly around in the name or supposed defence of Christianity.
Equally and more importantly, no effort, covert or overt, should be undertaken by any individual or authority for any reason whatsoever to undermine the space that the Christian faith presently enjoy, or through legitimate efforts, may carve out in Zimbabwean society.
As a follow up to this representation, a case will be made, space and time allowing, outlining the fundamental precepts of the Christian faith that should give comfort to anyone who may feel offended by the sayings of ignorant mouths.
This article was done by Concerned Christian Leaders and Citizens Network, a platform that gives expression to Christian convictions for the national development, renewal, and well being of Zimbabwe. Feedback: [email protected]
