Church leaders call for respect after Destiny Church protest

On June 21, a Destiny Church march on Queen Street in Auckland saw leader Brian Tamaki prompt his followers to tear up and burn flags representing Islam, the Palestinian Territories, Khalistan, Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism, United Nations, World Health Organisation, World Economic Forum, atheism, and the rainbow and transgender communities.

The marchers walked with a very large banner that read “NZ’s official religion: Christianity”.

Church leaders have criticised the use of Christianity, fear and power during the rally.

In a statement in support of aroha in dialogue, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations said that “those who promote aggressive messages of hate, exclusion or religious supremacy – including those who claim to be Christian but who seem to have little resonance with the Gospel – do not speak for us”.

“As members of the Catholic bishops’ interfaith committee in this country, we warmly and respectfully stand alongside people of all faiths in affirming the right to freedom of religion and belief, and in resisting all forms of discrimination or coercion, as we learn in dialogue with each other what it is to be people of peace, justice and aroha,” the statement added.

The committee noted the vision of Vatican II’s Nostra Aetate which, “without ever undermining our own beliefs and tradition, calls us to engage with others and to recognise those truths and expressions of holiness present in other religious traditions”.

Reverend Katie Marcar, a senior teaching fellow in biblical languages at the University of Otago and a deacon in the Anglican Church, believed the ideology promoted by the Destiny founder was designed to magnify fear.

“People who are afraid are easier to control,” Rev. Marcar said. “Christians should be people defined by the love, sacrifice and hospitality of God, not fear.”

Presbyterian minister at the First Church of Otago, Reverend Malcolm Gordon, said New Zealand was not a Christian country in the way Brian Tamaki wanted it to be.

“He wants to weaponise Christianity against people who are different, using it to disenfranchise those who aren’t like him,” Rev. Gordon said.

Ethnic community leaders have called for unity in response to the rally. The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, Combined Sikh Association of New Zealand and New Zealand Buddhist Council called on the Government to implement a sustained strategy for social cohesion in a joint statement.

Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand advocacy chairperson Abdur Razzaq said the Destiny Church event went “too far”. He said there needed to be some legislative framework for faith communities to have protection.

Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell has said he was “appalled” by the Destiny Church actions, adding that the law commission had work underway with regard to hate crimes.

FULL STORY

Destiny Church protest: Church leaders condemn Brian Tamaki for promoting fear (By Natasha Gordon/New Zealand Herald)

Ethnic community groups call on government to toughen hate speech laws (Radio New Zealand/Morning Report)

Facebook (NZ Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations/Facebook)