Jesus is the head of the church – vicar
Religious groups fight tighter controls proposed by state
CHRISTIAN leaders are opposing a Chapter 9 institution’s proposal for tighter controls on the operations of religious organisations.
They are rallying congregants to fight the reforms proposed by the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL).
“State control of the church is a violation of scripture. Jesus is the head of the church. This must be respected by the state and is enshrined in our constitution,” said Reverend Leslie Munsamy.
He heads the Ministerial Leaders for Christian Rights group, comprising clergy mainly from traditionally Indian areas. The body was formed last month.
He said his organisation intended to challenge the reforms proposed in October.
The commission is especially concerned about financial controls.
It made known its concerns abouts the proposed changes in a recent interim report.
Religious organisations have until February 28 to table their opposition.
“All faith-based organisations have to be registered as either NPOs and or public benefit organisations and properly constituted.
“They must also adhere to SA Revenue Service, Fica and Department of Social Development regulation,” Munsamy said.
He said bodies needed to be more vigilant in implementing corrective measures.
“We do not need another government institution, at great cost to the taxpayer, to repeat the process of financial accountability.”
Promising
“We have encouraged our congregants and other supporters to make known their displeasure before the deadline,using all available communications platforms.”
“The group is growing rapidly. We have met Christian leaders from other race groups and our coming together looks promising.”
He and his organisation were opposed to the extreme behaviour expressed by some individuals in the name of the church.
The commission’s chairwoman, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, said the proposals were in line with the constitution and they were prepared to approach the Constitutional Court, if necessary, to have them enforced.
“Why are some religious organisations not prepared to be registered, and who monitors how tithes and other collections are handled?” She said the proposals were a “shock to the system” for some churches and religious organisations that were doing as they pleased.
“We want religious organisations to keep proper financial records because some collect millions and there is no accountability.
“Some are saying they will only account for their actions when they go to heaven.”
She said the CRL wanted religious organisations and practitioners to be licensed much like lawyers, doctors and social workers.
“Congregants are usually vulnerable people who act on their emotions and are not given the space to think.
“How else do you explain people being sprayed with Doom or being made to do horrendous things like eat snakes?” asked MkhwanaziXaluva.
She said they also wanted checks done on everyone who interacted with children to ensure their names were not on the Child Protection Register.
She said doctrine would not be questioned; they would only intervene only in extreme cases.
She said those who opposed the reforms were already in trouble and did not have good governance systems.