Atheists in Kenya are happy after Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida, suggested that the number of churches in the country should be regulated.
In a press release on Monday, January 31, Harrison Mumia, the president of Atheist said that the society supports Ida’s remarks.
“We support remarks made by the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida Odinga on 30th January 2022 asking the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) to abolish churches that are not run by trained theologians. The NCCK should regulate the establishment of churches and shut down those that fail to meet the required standards.
“The church in Kenya has become commercialized. Some churches sell prosperity while others simply take advantage of their congregants ignorance. Some congregants will pay religious leaders because they want to gain spiritual favors,” part of the press statement read.
Mumia went on to say that there is a need to enact a specific legislation that will govern the religious sector in order to bring about transparency and accountability among religious leaders.
“Ida Odinga should not apologize for stating the obvious. The government should shut down churches that fall short of the legal threshold to operate,” he stated.
WE SUPPORT IDA ODINGA –
THE CHURCH SHOULD BE REGULATED
–
We support the remarks made by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida Odinga on 30th January 2022 asking the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) to abolish churches that are not run by trained theologians. pic.twitter.com/r1UqEAUZ4j— Atheists In Kenya Society (@AtheistsInKenya) January 31, 2022
Ida had told NCCK to regulate the establishment churches in the country as some of them were just business entities with leaders having zero training on Bible interpretation.
“We want Kenyans to subscribe to religions that are formally registered and not those whose belief systems are commodified. It is also important that we conduct training for all those who minister the word of God,” Ida said during the launch of the Christian Book by Archbishop Emeritus Habbakuk Abogno.
Her remarks caused an uproar on social media with Kenyans calling out on her over her intentions to interfere with the freedom of worship.
Following the uproar, Ida apologized for the discomfort that she had created saying that she meant no harm.
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