Constitution clause on Christian nation unavoidable, says Tutwa
REPLACEMENT of “multi-religious” with Christian nation in the republican constitution is inevitable because Zambia’s foundation and heritage is Christianity, Kabwe Central Member of Parliament, Tutwa Ngulube, has said.
Mr Ngulube said Zambia was founded on Christianity and not multi-religion and that Zambians believed in Christianity and not the latter.
Mr Ngulube was reacting to the condemnation by some stakeholders of the proposal in the Constitution Amendment Bill to amend Article 2, by replacing the reference to Zambia as “multi-religious” in the preamble with “Christian nation”.
Mr Ngulube said multi-religion meant that the country was founded on more than one religion which is not possible.
He said Zambia’s foundation and heritage was Christianity hence the need to replace the “multi-religious” clause with Christian nation.
However, University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers Union (UNZALARU) president, Dr Evans Lampi, said the clause would negate the building of an inclusive society in which all citizens were guaranteed equal citizenship.
Dr Lampi said amending Article 2 would also negate freedom of thought and religion protected by Article 19 of the republican constitution.
Mr Ngulube said Zambia could not be a multi-religious and a Christian nation at the same time as it did not make sense.
He said no person could stand up and claim to be Christian in countries like Saudi Arabia or Iran because it is not their national religion.
Mr Ngulube said those against that proposed amendment should be rest assured that it would not be in conflict with anyone or anything as the heritage of the Zambian people is Christianity.