Uganda Government wants to regulate religion

[danieldemol]

“Pastors leading different Pentecostal churches in Uganda yesterday rejected the proposed government policy aimed at regulating faith based organisations, saying its designers have an agenda to stop the spread of the “good news” of Christ.”

...

“The pastors ...
... also opposed the proposed clause in the policy which seeks to ensure that issues of charity are distinguished from the church; and the requirement of anybody starting a church to have a qualification of a Bachelor’s degree in Theology.”

Pastors reject government policy on religion

 

[Vinayaka]

Sounds to me like the government is after some very radical evangelicals who are spreading the myth of prayer over medicine, amongst other things. This story about arrest of a pastor would seem to support that. In remote parts of Uganda, a fight to stop preachers from discouraging medical care - Religion News Service

But I'm not sure. We're not on the ground, and these types of stories tend to have a slant to them.

 

[GoodbyeDave]

Well good for them! Uganda has had registration of religious groups for years, as well as protection against cults. The complaining churches are the sort who promote superstition, homophobia, and civil disobedience: obvious cults.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

It sounds like a good thing to me. The last thing we need are more fanatical holy roller types handling snakes, discouraging medicine and spreading bigotry.

 

[columbus]

Forgive me if I am wrong, but isn't Uganda the country that made homosexuality a death penalty crime? Partly at the behest of the Christians?
Tom

 

[danieldemol]

Personally I think it’s a farce to have government interference in matters of religion.

If people want to discourage the seeking of medical assistance the way to counter it is with a government sponsored education campaign, not persecution of preachers.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Personally I think it’s a farce to have government interference in matters of religion.

If people want to discourage the seeking of medical assistance the way to counter it is with a government sponsored education campaign, not persecution of preachers.

Well first, I think you would need to take a very close look at what the difference is between protectionism and persecution and make the distinction as to whether either, I, or, fits the case.

 

[ChristineM]

Personally I think it’s a farce to have government interference in matters of religion.

If people want to discourage the seeking of medical assistance the way to counter it is with a government sponsored education campaign, not persecution of preachers.

Personally i think in some african countries religions wield to much influence and power over the populace. If it takes legislation to prevent pastors in these countries effectively killing people by discouraging medical treatment then its a good thing.

Perhaps educating pastors that medication is more effective and saves more lives than god magic and woo would be a better way of spending the meager education budget.

 

[columbus]

opposed the proposed clause in the policy which seeks to ensure that issues of charity are distinguished from the church;

I would love to see that instituted here in the USA.

Income that supports charitable endeavors, regardless of religious affiliation, counted as tax deductibles. Income used to pay for services to church members, infrastructure, and staff ,not so much.
Tom

 

[danieldemol]

Personally i think in some african countries religions wield to much influence and power over the populace. If it takes legislation to prevent pastors in these countries effectively killing people by discouraging medical treatment then its a good thing.

Perhaps educating pastors that medication is more effective and saves more lives than god magic and woo would be a better way of spending the meager education budget.

Then you could require all founders of a church to complete a short government training program educating them on the need for medical intervention, where is the need for a bachelors degree in theology?

 

[Vinayaka]

Personally I think it’s a farce to have government interference in matters of religion.

If people want to discourage the seeking of medical assistance the way to counter it is with a government sponsored education campaign, not persecution of preachers.

What about the raping of nuns epidemic reported by AP in the third world ... South America, India, Africa? So the governments should just let the Catholic Church patrol itself. Yeah, that really worked with all the pedophiles. I say a young nun who gets raped should call the police, not report it to her bishop. Better chance of justice being served.

Catholic priests abusing nuns for sex

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Personally i think in some african countries religions wield to much influence and power over the populace. If it takes legislation to prevent pastors in these countries effectively killing people by discouraging medical treatment then its a good thing.

Perhaps educating pastors that medication is more effective and saves more lives than god magic and woo would be a better way of spending the meager education budget.

Especially when many of those countries are still being hit hard by the HIV epidemic.

 

[Vinayaka]

Especially when many of those countries are still being hit hard by the HIV epidemic.

But this guy can cure it. Nigerian church pastor claims to cure anything, even Aids

Obviously any sane government should step in.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

But this guy can cure it. Nigerian church pastor claims to cure anything, even Aids

Obviously any sane government should step in.

I noticed that their church guest house collapsed and it killed a bunch of people. Wouldn't that be a good sign that their deity is not pleased with them? I can't think of a better way of getting that point across.

Yes, saving lives is more important than some quack's "right" to preach. Charlatans should be locked up.

 

[Vinayaka]

I noticed that their church guest house collapsed and it killed a bunch of people. Wouldn't that be a good sign that their deity is not pleased with them? I can't think of a better way of getting that point across.

Yes, saving lives is more important than some quack's "right" to preach. Charlatans should be locked up.

Personally, I view it as murder. It's far more than the government's right to intervene, it's the government's duty. Thank goodness there are sensible governments out there to keep kids and people safe from such atrocities.

 

[danieldemol]

What about the raping of nuns epidemic reported by AP in the third world ... South America, India, Africa? So the governments should just let the Catholic Church patrol itself. Yeah, that really worked with all the pedophiles. I say a young nun who gets raped should call the police, not report it to her bishop. Better chance of justice being served.

Catholic priests abusing nuns for sex

I’m not suggesting religion should be above the law, i’m saying governments shouldn’t seek to impose religious monopolies.
How would for example requiring all founders of a church to have a degree in theology prevent sexual abuse?

 

[Vinayaka]

I’m not suggesting religion should be above the law, i’m saying governments shouldn’t seek to impose religious monopolies.
How would for example requiring all founders of a church to have a degree in theology prevent sexual abuse?

I totally agree. But I don't think Uganda or Nigeria is anywhere the same as Iran. The monopolies you are referring to happen in Islamic countries mostly. What the Pentecostal ministers or the Catholic bishops are doing in Nigeria of Brazil is a hundred times worse than what your faith adherents are doing in Iran, as far as I can tell. Not on the ground, though.

 

[ChristineM]

Then you could require all founders of a church to complete a short government training program educating them on the need for medical intervention, where is the need for a bachelors degree in theology?

Theology is not medicine and if religious mouthpieces want to pontificate on medicine then where is their doctorate in medicine

 

[ChristineM]

Especially when many of those countries are still being hit hard by the HIV epidemic.

Yes, religious teachers who in third world countries wield so much influence over their congregation need to keep to what they are trained for. Assuming they are actually trained