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{
    "id": 1236236,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1236236/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 314,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "to the level of fasting to their death. Even the most radical people on this earth have value for life which starts with your life and the life of your neighbour. The Bible asks, “who is your neighbour”? It is anybody with a breathing soul, whether human or a domestic animal. The level of radicalisation and brainwashing that is being perpetuated by the so-called evangelical pastors, evangelical cults and religion is something that we must look at honestly and seriously as a country. Some of these religions – I want to call them cults – go to an extent of asking their members to contribute the little they have to their pastors yet the members themselves sleep hungry. Many times, we Christians stand accused that we go to church to contribute to buy a car for a pastor but never contribute to take a fellow congregant to church. We cannot contribute to take a child of a prayer group member to school but we are in a hurry to buy pastors – whatever you call them – top of the range vehicles. There are ridiculous cases that Christians must treat a pastor much better than ourselves. It is this kind of brainwashing that has led us to this level. I want to make it clear that this is a deranged doctrine. It is not biblical and as bishop said, it is a psychological problem and not a religious problem. There is no religion that condones death and its followers get gratification from seeing somebody else suffer. We must come to terms with their positions. Article 32 of the Constitution provides for freedom of conscience, religion, belief and opinion. Indeed, that is not an absolute right. The State has got a duty and responsibility to regulate how churches should behave and conduct their activities. There is no reason whatsoever for it to shun its responsibility then hop on a modern helicopter to go to Kilifi to showcase its case. We politicians stand accused. Many of us have glorified religion to a point that we ask congregations during church services to pray for the economy to improve and for the rains to come. This is the kind of seed many of us sowed and this is what we are reaping in this country. It is time we stopped that hypocrisy as it is stated in the book of Matthew 16 and preach the correct gospel. We should tell people the truth and not lies that cause them to visit personal harm on themselves. Thank you."
}