Regulation may not rein in charlatans
SOME religious organisations say although claims by controversial Durban pastor Hamilton Nala that he can cure homosexuality with his faith water are “irrational”, the proposed state regulation of religion is not the answer.
A recommendation by the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) for the establishment of a regulatory body is before the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) parliamentary portfolio committee.
Michael Swain, executive director of Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) said that as unfortunate as it was, there was no way to stop charlatans from making crazy claims.
“The problem is enforcement and a regulatory body would not solve this problem. Policing and licensing religious practitioners is simply not a workable solution.
“It’s an overreach giving the state arbitrary powers to decide what is, and is not, acceptable in religious context,” said Swain.
In a statement responding to a picket outside Nala Mandate church on Sunday, Nala said: “South Africa has granted a right to those who believe in homosexuality. We also have a right, in our place, to disagree with homosexuality. I have a right to teach my people, those who follow my vision, what I think God did say to me and God does not allow in this house.”
Swain said: “He is entitled to his belief and if people are gullible enough to buy into faith water being able to cure homosexuality it’s not illegal but it certainly isn’t helpful.”
Reverend Ian Booth, chairman of the Diakonia Council of Churches, said it was problematic as the issue of homosexuality and scripture is highly contentious and not as clear cut as the feeding of snakes, rats, grass or petrol to congregants.
“There is not a great deal of consensus, a fundamentalist reading of the scripture compared to a more liberal reading informs different views.
“I’m not sure that is something the (proposed) CRL body would be able to resolve anyway,” he said.
Gert van der Linde, who, with his husband of 10 years Sean Cameron Gunn, founded and were pastors of The Upper Room Communion said he was conflicted about regulation.
“I strongly believe in the separation of the state and church but I do believe instances like this are where the kind of legislation they want could work, if properly implemented.”
Nonhlanhla Mkhize, director of the Durban Gay and Lesbian Health Centre, said the problem was not with Nala’s beliefs – that homoseuality was wrong, that was his opinion – but with him claiming to be able to cure people.
“The dilemma is that there are parents out there who will take their children there, who feel they have failed for bearing a gay child. That is a huge burden,” she said.