Rev. Anyani Boadum Tells Churches - "It Is Time For Self Regulation"

Rt. Rev Nana Anyani Boadum, speaking about the need for a self regulatory body for the Christian community backed his argument by saying, “The sovereign God granted 99.9% free-will to mankind in the garden of Eden but placed 0.01% restraint on the forbidden tree. When Adam and Eve crossed the red line the entire creation suffered the consequences.

Lack of restrain

He went on to say that, “Freedom is not sheer vitality or lawless liberty. It is not ‘consumer freedom’; with which one does whatever one pleases. Instead, it drags us into a higher plane, where we assume a higher mind, to live according to laws which facilitate coexistence, mutuality and partnership.

As a predominantly religious country, our freedom is primarily underscored by our freedom to live in right relationship with God and with others, that depicts self-giving and community building love without hindrances or compulsions from others.

Time for self regulation.

I opposed the controversial PNDC Law 221 that sought to regulate the activities of churches because matters of faith and traditional Biblical beliefs cannot be regulated by secular governments.

But viewed in its broadest perspectives, the new interest in curbing the activities of wayward pastors in the Church is actually, a protest against unbridled freedom. It is an evidence of the widespread hunger for and rule of law in the country.

Considering the wanton abuse of religious rights and freedom by the very people in whose interest that freedom exist, I propose the setting up of a self regulatory body by the Christian Councils clothed with a legal backing but not powered by the State, either in alliance or through sponsorship of any kind.

This was what I sought for in my interview with Daily Graphic of February 18th, 2016. Closing our eyes to the dented image of the church is an indictment on the existing Christian councils.

The Christian councils should as a matter of urgency coalesce to streamline activities of the independent churches in Ghana.

The Pentecostal, Charismatic and the Prophetic fraternity should not lack the spine, the initiative and the structure to deal with the rogue section of the church who in their outward character resembles the above named denominations.

We are on daily basis reminded about the dangers of religious indiscipline venting into social disorders and weird religious doctrines which makes some people believe they have the exclusive right to resort to sheer thievery and criminality under the cloak of religion.”

Rev. Anyani Boadum Tells Churches - "It Is Time For Self Regulation"