DECLARATION OF ZAMBIA AS A CHRISTIAN NATION - ITS PROFOUND MEANING

Dear editor,

I write in order to educate my fellow citizens on the meaning of the declaration made by His Excellency President FTJ Chiluba that 'ZAMBIA IS A CHRISTIAN NATION'.

Few people appreciate the meaning of the declaration that is commemorated every 18th of December in our Country.

The commemoration is characterized with different opinions and attitudes of people. Unfortunately, the day is smeared with a lot of 'Political Stigma' and some aggrieved politicians not only shun it but defiantly discourage others from observing it. The declaration has been politicized and demonized.

In April, 1994 merely 2 years after the MMD ascended to power, the country experienced a terrible astronomical disaster! We lost the entire Zambia National Soccer Team! The entire team, ZAF Crew and the technical bench perished in the Gabon Air Disaster. The whole nation became numb! It was a startling moment! Everyone was in a shock! It was a moment of Silence!

We were all glued to ZNBC television as Honorable Dr. Remmy Mushota the Minister of Information took several turns appearing in a sombre mood announcing the demise and showing our Nation PIECES OF THE FRESH' of the remains of our beloved Soccer Icons who died while carrying the National Flag of Zambia.

The Climax of the sombreness of our Nation arrived on burial day at Independence

Stadium when the Late President Chiluba failed to contain himself and could not find suitable consoling words to utter. He ended up 'BREAKING DOWN' into tears openly!

I was roughly 21 years of age at the time and it was my first time witnessing the Head of State weeping and yelling hopelessly and uncontrollably!

In His touching Prayer to God, President Chiluba expressed his Indebtedness and directed the entire Nation to God as the only source of Guidance and Comfort. His sentiments came to its fruition when later he declared the entire Nation as a Christian Country. The aforementioned became the basis that culminated into the declaration.

THE MEANING OF THE DECLARATION.

The declaration does not shield other religions neither does it entail the supremacy of CHRISTIANITY as a religion. It simply meant that as a Country we decided and resolved to be guided by 'CHRISTIAN VALUES & PRINCIPLES' found in the Bible.

The declaration makes sense and will remain meaningful because even non Christians like Mohandas K Ghandi a former Indian Leader who himself believed in HINDUISM and ISLAM appreciated the teachings based on the BIBLE.

In reaffirming the declaration made by President Chiluba the incumbent President His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu went to parliament in August, 2016 and constituted a Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs. The Ministry was given a two fold mandate namely:

-- To uphold the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation.

-- To actualize the National Values and Principles enshrined in article 8 and 9 of our Zambian Constitution.

The President also declared a specific date for the commemoration.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MPNVP & THE DECLARATION.

The declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation is the attestation and confirmation that we need divine guidance, values and principles in our lives. We also need God's wisdom in our interactions with others.

Movement for Promoting National Values and Principles so far remains the only Civil Society Organization registered with the mandate similar to that of Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs. The objectives and goals of the Organization is in tandem with the Ministry hence the partnership!

All Government Ministries operate on an open door policy and embrace other stakeholders in their operations.

Find posted together with this write up a video clip showing the presentation of President FTJ Chiluba declaring the Country as a CHRISTIAN NATION!