The invitation to all religious institutions by the Ministry of Home Affairs has sparked speculation that, maybe government wants to regulate churches. History has taught us that when the State and the church come together, the outcome is never the best for the citizens.
However, it is also a fact that, historically, most wars have been sparked by a lack of religious tolerance, hence the need for good policies governing the operations of all religious institutions. Emerging from the brutal church-controlled state of the Dark Ages, where Papal Rome ruled with an iron fist, the idea of religious liberty resurfaced.
Tertullian (160 – 220), one of the church fathers, was the first author to use the words ‘religious liberty’ (libertas religionis). He wrote that every man has the right to religious freedom (ius libertatis) (Roland Minnerath, 1999). As such, religious freedom has been with us since that time.
As recently as December 10, 1948, the UN made a declaration, as outlined in Article 18 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights, which states that: “Everyone has the right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance”.
Constitution of Swaziland (Eswatini)
Closer to home, the Constitution of Swaziland, as it were and as promulgated in 2005; Section 23 (1) ibid. states that: “A person has a right to freedom of thought, conscience or religion”. Section 23 (2) ibid. further states that: “Except with the free consent of that person, a person shall not be hindered in the enjoyment of the freedom of conscience, and for the purposes of this section, freedom of conscience includes freedom of thought and of religion, freedom to change religion or belief, and belief or worship either alone or in community with others”. Such clauses serve as a basis for the freedom that we enjoy in our kingdom.
Section 14 (3) of the same constitution further states that; “A person of whatever gender, race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed, age or disability shall be entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual contained in this chapter, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest.”
In other words, our religious freedom is granted to us, except that such freedom should not then infringe on the freedoms and rights of others, coupled with the said freedom of not being at ‘loggerheads’ with public interest.
Therefore, the relevance of said stakeholders’ meeting cannot be overemphasised.
Developing policy for religious institutions
The global migration that is taking place warrants that the country determines how to balance religious liberty vis-à-vis the different nationalities and religious inclinations that now prevail in the country.
One needs to expound on the global migration issue. Therein, one refers to the prevailing scenario where we have individuals, some who have already taken the Eswatini Citizenship, such as those from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middle East, Taiwan, African countries, China, etc. and such people have their own belief systems, which might not necessarily be the Christian or Eswatini traditional belief systems that prevail in our country.
With such global migration, one, therefore, needs to appreciate the faiths that, as a consequence, shall prevail in the country. Some of these faiths already exist here and some are in small numbers.
We now have Christians (both traditional churches – Methodists, Roman Catholics, Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Zionists, etc and the different Christian Ministries), Muslims, Rastafarians, Judaism, Hindus, Baha’i, Indigenous Religions, etc. With such a background, the country has to accommodate such a myriad of faiths within the framework of the Constitution of the country, as underpinned by the UN Declaration on Human Rights. The proposed indaba has, therefore, come at the appropriate such times.
Examples of policy
Typical examples that will require attention for such a policy would include, among others, officiating in marriages and/or recognition thereof. Christians follow the Western type of marriage system, whereas Hindus and Muslims have their own – such should be accommodated and their marriage officers.
We have public institutions and those practicing Saturday Sabbath; keeping such as Judaism (Jews), Shembhe (Nazarene Baptist Church) or Seventh-day Adventists, might face prejudice regarding attendance at schools, colleges, universities and important national events on the Sabbath. Currently, broadcasting services are limited to the Christian faith, thereby promoting some prejudice against other faiths. Therefore, the use of such media platforms would require a governing structure and inclusion in policy. The list is endless, highlighting the importance of this meeting.
Public affairs and religious liberty departments
To foster a better understanding and religious tolerance, each church or religious organisation should have a dedicated department for Religious Affairs. For example, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has a division/department known as the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) whose function, among others, is to ensure that the right to determine one’s relationship to any religious tenet, principle or requirement and the right to hold and practice that belief freely is respected.
The representatives from PARL have participated in the Multi-faith Forum as organised by various sponsors and hence, it is in full support of all the stakeholders’ engagements across the country.
Early in the year 2025, PARL arranged a forum where several faiths and some government departments’ representatives participated with a view to discussing challenges associated with some faiths in the land. Plans are afoot that next year another forum will be held with a view to the different faiths sharing their belief system.
Conclusion
One would emphasise that the stakeholders in this indaba should be open-minded when addressing and presenting on ideas that should be part of the policy. We need to foster religious liberty with tolerance as much as possible. Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40.
He also reminded fellow Christians that: “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring.” – John 10:16.
The Qur’an 2:256 states: “There is no compulsion in religion; truth stands out clear from error.”
This is perhaps, the clearest statement on religious freedom. It means faith must come from conviction and understanding, not force. People cannot be compelled to accept Islam.
septembereswatini@gmail.com
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