The Ministry of Religious Affairs

President Lungu during prayers Day

By Kellys Kaunda

President Edgar Lungu has just announced his intentions to create a ministry responsible for religious affairs. His view is that the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation needs actualization through the creation of an institution that should oversee the enjoyment of the declaration.

Let’s rewind to the time President Chiluba declared Zambia as a Christian nation. One of the questions asked then was how practical the declaration was going to be? Over the years, there have been repeated references to the declaration in most national debates, as a way of attempting to correct what ever is perceived as anti-social behavior.

During constitutional making debates, suggestions to drop the declaration from the constitution have been vigorously resisted. It’s now clear that the majority Zambians subscribe to a Christian way of life and would love to be governed by its principles. I suspect the President has had this in mind since he assumed office hence his decision last year to declare a national day of prayer to give some form of practical expression to the declaration.

Further, the President launched the construction of a national house of prayer that will transcend denominations – part of efforts towards consolidating the declaration. And now a Ministry at the level of government to house a national policy on religious affairs and oversee its implementation has been proposed. Speaking as Christian, what would I like to see such a ministry undertake as its duties?

To begin with, I suggest that the President’s Press Aide (the Head of State has tasked him to help define this structure) must consult widely with various religious leaders in Zambia and theological schools and scholars for the conceptualization of the Ministry. At the core of the concept is the need to capture teachings in various religious practices in Zambia that should promote a sense of unity, respect for humanity, morality, the environment and the promotion of peace.

The ministry must encourage the establishment of offices of chaplains in various institutions such as the executive, the judiciary and the legislature; support the establishment of a faculty of theology at the highest learning institution in Zambia; assist political parties in the establishment of their own offices of chaplains.

The ministry must have a research directorate whose responsibilities will include among others a study of Zambian religious trends to assist in effective intervention where need be. Given the importance of the institution of the family in the Bible and the teachings of Christianity, this ministry must also have a directorate of the family to study family trends in Zambia with a view to enabling government devise timely and relevant intervention mechanisms.

I hope, when all is said and done, this ministry could be an institutional expression of the desire by government to lead by example in the conduct of its officers, political leaders and the nation as a whole. Christianity or indeed any other religion’s teachings in respect of morals are fairly high requiring a strong will on the part of any individual to live up to the challenge. Nonetheless, it is a far much better way of life than any I can think of.