Gospel truth about importance of Christianity to Fiji
| Part A: Since the 2006 treasonous coup, the overwhelming number of native Fijians are alarmed and disturbed at the "creep" of secular morality taking over the rationale of the law-making, and law-interpreting process in Fiji. To halt the slippery trend, the SDL proposed to the Constitution Review Commission that the Republic of the Fijian Islands be a sovereign democratic Christian state. SDL informed the CRW in its submission: "No state is religiously neutral. Neither can they be. However conceived, the state is shaped by humans who are naturally religious in character, and who carry within them their historical, cultural and religious heritage. These accordingly define the parameters of the state. In Fiji’s case, this heritage is Christianity. The values and principles derived from the Christian religion over the past 177 years have not only shaped personal piety, but shaped our social, political and economic institutions, and the corresponding methods and requisite behaviours in each of these spheres. By accepting Christianity, our ancestors accepted that their hitherto pagan (non- Christian, even anti-Christian) state would be Christianised into a Christian state. Through the influence of Christian martyrs and missionaries, and through the good order and institution-building of British colonialism, the Fijians made a willing submission to the Christian principle that the state is always under the sovereign authority of God. Fijians accepted that their state would not be an autonomous instrument that would substitute pagan idolatry for the idolatry of human reason – as underlies many of the ideological apologies that have over the same period of Fiji’s existence defended the basis for a non-discriminatory (secular) state. Nor did Fijians propose a state that elevated itself to supremacy above God. Rather, they understood that Fiji would be a state whose legislature, executive, and judiciary, are committed to establishing national life in all its spheres and varieties according to the values, assumptions, principles, and ethical guidelines that are Christian, Freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, equality before the law, and religious toleration are all foundational to such a Christian state. They are not the inventions of any so-called secular state. Rather they were built up over 1500 years of Christian argument, protest and martyrdom – today we take them for granted. According to the British Prime Minister David Cameron: “Those who oppose this usually make the case for secular neutrality. They argue that by saying we are a Christian country and standing up for Christian values we are somehow doing down other faiths. And that the only way not to offend people is not to pass judgment on their behaviour. I think these arguments are profoundly wrong. The SDL proposes that the Republic of the Fiji Islands is a sovereign democratic Christian state |  Christianity's humble beginnings in Fiji  Still singing praise to the Al Mighty Lord in modern day Fiji  The future custodians of Christianity in Fiji  British PM Cameron And being clear on this is absolutely fundamental to who we are as a people……what we stand for……and the kind of society we want to build. First, those who say being a Christian country is doing down other faiths……simply don’t understand that it is easier for people to believe and practise other faiths when Britain has confidence in its Christian identity. Many people tell me it is much easier to be Jewish or Muslim here in Britain than it is in a secular country like France. Why? Because the tolerance that Christianity demands of our society provides greater space for other religious faiths too. And because many of the values of a Christian country are shared by people of all faiths and indeed by people of no faith at all. Second, those who advocate secular neutrality in order to avoid passing judgment on the behaviour of others……fail to grasp the consequences of that neutrality……or the role that faith can play in helping people to have a moral code." The SDL, therefore, told the Commission: "To honour our heritage; to guarantee our inherited liberties, rights and principles of justice; and to secure our national future under a sovereign God the Constitution should establish Fiji as Christian state." |
| Part B: Continuing its position, SDL argues in its submission: "A state religion is a religion officially endorsed by the state. A state with an official religion, while not secular, is not necessarily a theocracy. A state religion is a government approved religion. It does not mean that the state is under the direct control of any established church. Nor does it mean that the religion is under the control of those enacting or representing the business of the state (whether elected or self-appointed). The state and religion remain separate, but are free to exert a non-coercive influence on each other as befits Christian principles and practices that underlie modern democracies. A state religion is neither a state-sanctioned nor state-subsidised denomination. It is religion understood in its broadest sense. It is religion as an ethos, a system of values and guiding principles to be confessed and adhered to. In this regard, it is generally accepted that there are five world religions – Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Of these, State religions existed in many countries around the world centuries ago. In some instances they were written into the Constitutions of those countries. In recent times some countries have removed state religions from their Constitutions, as part of the process of separation of powers between state and religion. In other countries the removal of state religion reflects the weakening of a country’s faith in God, our Creator. There are strong arguments in support of this proposal to establish a state religion. If Fiji adopts a state religion it will not be the first in the world.  Heavenly climb upwards - church and churchgoers cant be divorced from state religion |  Staying power of State religion: Roman Catholicism in Costa Rica, and Christian values are present in many aspects of daily life The following states recognize some form of Christianity as their state or official religion (by denomination): Catholic: Costa Rica; Liechtenstein; Malta; Monaco; Vatican City (theocracy). A number of countries, including Andorra, Argentina, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Italy, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal and Spain give a special recognition to Catholicism in their Constitution despite not making it the state religion. Eastern Orthodox Jurisdictions which recognize one of the Eastern Orthodox Churches as their state religion are: Greece - Church of Greece, Finland - Finnish Orthodox Church. Protestantism/Lutherism Jurisdictions which recognise a Lutheran church as their state religion include: Denmark - Church of Denmark, Iceland - Church of Iceland, Finland - Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Sweden - Church of Sweden. Reformed Jurisdictions which recognize a Reformed church as their state religion: Scotland - Church of Scotland, Tuvalu - Church of Tuvalu. Anglican Jurisdictions that recognize an Anglican church as their state religion: England - Church of England  The Holy Synod of the True Orthodox Church of Greece |
| Conclusion: Why “Christianity” as the state religion? There are several reasons in support of this proposal. First, our High Chiefs who ceded Fiji to Great Britain in 1874 wanted to secure “…the promotion of civilization and Christianity” alongside trade and industry, order and good government for the people of Fiji. Second, “Christianity” was the first religious faith to be introduced, and accepted by Fijians in 1835. And third, more than half of the population of Fiji now is Christians, making Christianity the largest religious faith in the country. These suggestions do not take away the right of every Fiji citizen to practise their religion and belief as contained in Chapter 4 - Bill of Rights of the 1997 Constitution. | The SDL will also be recommending later under the Presidential powers that the President would be the protector of religious freedom in Fiji  See also SDL's new website: |
