Don’t use God’s name for political expediency, Lungu urged
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) spokesperson Antonio Mwanza has urged Republican President Edgar Lungu not to use God’s name for political expediency.
Commenting on the President’s call for the nation to meet and pray for an end to political violence, Mwanza said his party can never be part of the program as it is being done with lack of sincerity.
“Brethren, twilayangasha Lesa. Lesa alakanda. Just stop arming and sponsoring cadres for violence. Allow the police to do their job professionally. And allow us all to enjoy our fundamental rights and liberties to campaign and assemble freely. Don’t use God’s name for political expediency,” Mwanza said in a Facebook posting.
Mwanza also quoted from the bible an illustration where he said the body without spirit is dead and therefore faith without works is dead also.
“In Exodus 20:7 The Lord God Almighty warns that thou shall not use His name in vain. In Proverbs 29:2 scripture tells us that when good men are in authority the people rejoice but when evil men are in power the people cry. James 2:14-26 teaches us that faith without action is dead. My brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? A man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also,” he explained the Bible passage.
“Therefore we have received the call by President Edgar Lungu for us to have national prayers over political violence with a pinch of salt. Isn’t Mr Lungu the same man that called for prayers on the 18th of October that turned out to be a political gathering were some clergy used God’s name to endorse President Lungu for political office? What have we seen after those prayers: more violence and more police brutality,” he said.
Mwanza also asked Lungu four questions, “We all need to be honest enough and ask ourselves the following questions:
1. Who is arming cadres with guns, pangas, military fatigue, money and beer? Is it God or it’s us politicians?
2. Who is in charge of the police and all armed forces?
3. Who is preaching hatred and abusing state power? Is it God or it is us politicians?
4.Who is abetting and tolerating violence? Is it God or it is us politicians?”