A government funded Christian Cathedral is a big problem - Here are 3 reasons why
On Thursday, November 15, Ghana's Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta read before the Parliament and to the interest of Ghanaians, the budget of 2019. One special notice that Ghanaians took was a financial commitment to building a National Christian Cathedral.
Prior to the budget reading, the government had floated the idea for a National Cathedral for about a year. What started as an idea for a national monument was later clarified as a Christian building.
The Supreme Court of Ghana in a number of cases, has maintained that governments are supposed to maintain a religious neutrality and a balance in dealing with all faiths.
Governments in Ghana have not been truly adhering to the Supreme Court. For instance, the government has been supporting Hajj pilgrimages over the years.
But these actions are problematic. And with the building of the National Cathedral, it would seem a Ghanaian government is pushing the boundaries in favouring a particular faith.
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1. The tyranny of the majority
According to the population census of 2010, the country has over 65% people who would identify as Christian.
Unfortunately, with such massive contribution to building a Christian Cathedral, our government is pushing a tyranny of the majority.
Such a thing does not help strengthen a democracy.
2. Christianising Ghana
The problem with looking to make Ghana a Christian country is that not all of Ghanaians identify as Christians.
What is essentially happening is that government is taking the first step in nationalising Christian values. This is a very dangerous adventure into merging the state and church.
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3. Identity politics
Identity politics is the situation whereby people knowingly or unknowingly fight for power and recognition based on shared identity with others.
It is the fear of many Ghanaians that a Christian Cathedral will only rally religious people ito factions where they only interact with government on entrenched issues.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
