Freedom of worship in Kenya should be regulated

Kenyan constitution which arguably is one of the best in Africa gives fundamental right for every citizen to express themselves in a way that is unique to them. Section 32 of that Constitution guarantees the freedom of Conscience, Religion, Belief and Opinion. It says in parts, “every person has the right, either individually or in community with others, in public or in private, to manifest any religion or belief through worship, practice, teaching or observance, including observance of a day of worship”….. “A person shall not be compelled to act, or engage in any act, that is contrary to the person’s belief or religion.”

Looking at the state of Christianity in Kenya today, this bill of rights calls for some close scrutiny and re-thinking at least from the majority of sober Christians. Every hour, whether in our audio or visual broadcasting services we are constantly bombarded with ‘Christian messages’ that we can instantly overturn our predicaments by increasing our faith and particularly those involving finances. Those driving this theory argues that, we are poor because we lack faith and therefore increasing it will instantly kick away our pain and sorrow and in their place we get to enjoy good health accompanied by physical wealth.

This theory does not end there; they continue to argue that this faith can not bear fruits on its own.  It has to be accompanied with action for as the scriptures declares-faith without action is dead. What then is the action required to activate these blessings? Well, again they make reference to the scriptures that-give and it shall come back to you in full measure shaken together and running over, give and when you give, give to the Lord. The giving they talk about is financial and the lord receiving it is the speaker. No one is supposed to question its use whatsoever and if you do it is believed miseries will accompany you the rest of your life. In fact you are considered the enemy of the Cross.

Personally having grown up in a situation where we lived hand to mouth I see why such a gospel sounds so palatable. For instance, when we prayed the Lord’s Prayer we literally believed everything in it. When we prayed that God give us this day our daily bread, we meant that if God was not coming through for us we were doomed forever! A mother with so many hungry children with only meager resources will also believe such a gospel without questioning.  Healing that come by faith and planting of ‘good seeds’ will sound as music to a helpless family with a member who is terribly or terminally ill.

The gospel in question here is the Prosperity Gospel which thrives in situations where people are vulnerable. How then do we curb the rise of this crooked view of the Good News? Is there any way we could engineer its permanent downfall?  This is problematic from the outset because it would call for some sort of regulation to bring order to a chaotic situation. The third question is who would bring this regulation? Can the Church regulate itself and if not who can? 

I do not know whether I should be stirring the still waters but how can we continue to sit and watch as people take advantage of the weak brothers and sisters because of their vulnerability. These preachers continue to amass wealth hour by hour by preaching wrong gospel. This is why I am proposing amendments which should exclusively apply to adherents of Christian religion. My amendments to this section are an additional clause which reads (5) Though this is a fundamental right for everyone it does not cover those who propagate prosperity gospel in the Christian faith. 

Surely how else can we ensure that people who are passionate and eagerly waiting to hear from God get what is the true Gospel. Lastly I want to petition the Government of Kenya to consider financing training for more Christian workers who will teach authentically what the Holy Book says. This will not only make sure there is peace among her constituents which is in the interest of the state but also the rich are stopped from becoming richer at the expense of the poor! It is such a serious issue that it calls for constitutional change, however a change in constitution would spell several other implications.