Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas are here to stay and churches must self-regulate to counter harmful religious practices.
So said Gauteng Premier David Makhura at the Turffontein Racecourse where the Gauteng Faith Based Organisation (FBO) Summit was held.
The summit, convened in partnership with the Gauteng Government and the FBO sector to forge religious tolerance and moral regeneration, was graced by more than 600 delegates from a wide spectrum of the religious fraternity, including the Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish and traditional healing faiths.
Makhura said government wants to build a socially cohesive society that is appreciative of one another’s values.
“Like many of you, I am deeply concerned by the conduct of some religious leaders who feed on the vulnerability of the children of God who face many difficulties in their daily lives. We have seen an increase in such practices where the church congregation drink petrol, eat rats or snakes whilst others rape congregants or confess to practicing witchcraft. Together let us find lasting solutions to these scourges.
“We are also aware that some amongst you are worried about false stories being spread around that the ANC-led government has a policy to scrap the Good Friday/Easter holidays. There is no truth to this. In fact, it is impossible for the ANC to take such a position, you and I will not allow it,” he said.
