Religion is usually a sensitive topic as people have different beliefs, values, and practices which are usually fundamental to one’s identity and worldviews.
Moreover, people sometimes hold their religious beliefs so deeply, emotionally, and eventually feel a strong attachment to it.
However, religion has over time been associated with political and social power, some people argue that it is possible to use religion to brainwash people and have them bend to your call if they believe in you and your teachings.
This may explain the recent Kilifi massacre where several believers lost their lives after Pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge of the Good News International Church allegedly instructed his congregants to starve themselves to “meet Jesus”.
This begs the question; Is it time to have laws governing the establishment and operation of religious groups/churches reviewed?
The country has seen numerous churches come to be as opposed to the past days when there were only a few churches to worship in. Likewise, people calling themselves men of God, claiming to perform miracles are here with us.
Nonetheless, a multitude of people have been flocking these churches seeking for miracles and looking to see Jesus. It is debatable whether this is a question of logical decision making, people becoming gullible or pastors brainwashing their congregants for some gain.
Whatever it is, maybe it is time to tighten laws governing religion.
Also Read: Regulating Peoples Faith Can Be Challenging – Ezekiel Mutua
Meanwhile, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) on April 24, 2023, challenged the government to strengthen laws governing the establishment and operation of religious groups in the country.
The catholic bishops led by their Chairperson Martin Kivuva asked to have the proposals in the Religious Societies Rules 2015 reviewed.
The KCCB chairperson argued that the self-regulation provision applied presently has been jeopardized by the resistance of leadership structures and systems in some churches.
“It is our considered opinion that if a strong mechanism of regulating religions was in place, the long arm of the law would have stopped Pastor Mackenzie from taking advantage of Kenyans to engage in acts of mass suicide,” he said.
The catholic bishops made their statement following the Kilifi cult incident that has seen numerous believers die.
As such, the bishops want the government to review the proposed state laws to ensure that such rogue pastors are exposed early and denied the chance to continue their dangerous acts.
“Such a review should help to identify the weak legal and religious links that cult leaders have been exploiting to brainwash their unsuspecting followers,” reads part of the statement.
Also Read: Red Flags: Are you in a Cult?
Furthermore, the Catholic bishops said it was unfortunate that Mackenzie’s church was “allowed to perpetuate its dangerous doctrine for such a long time, resulting in so many deaths with state security unaware.
“It is very unfortunate that we are witnessing a worrying reality in the country where so-called prophets and cultic leaders have mastered the art of exploiting gullible Kenyans in the name of religion,” the statement reads in part.
