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Protest Against Agenda to Remove God from Parliament
Wednesday 17 October 2018
Press Release - For immediate release
Christians to Protest Agenda to Completely Remove God and Religion from Parliament
Hundreds of Christians will take part in another rally at Parliament on Tuesday 30 October but this time it’s an official protest at the removal of “Jesus Christ” from the Parliamentary Prayer.
In January this year, a lunchtime rally was held at Parliament to pray for and bless our Government, Members of Parliament, our nation and to ask the Speaker of the House to consider reinstating the name of Jesus Christ in the opening prayer, but clearly the message didn’t get through.
This time, hundreds of Christians from around the country will gather to protest what the organisers believe is the first step in removing God completely from our Parliamentary proceedings.
Rally spokesperson Pastor Ross Smith of Jesus for New Zealand says that what Rt. Hon. Trevor Mallard has done will marginalise all faiths and religions and is a blatant misuse of his powers.
“Government insists on proper consultation processes when it enacts any formal policy and legal changes but turns a blind eye to the Speaker acting unilaterally on this issue,” says Smith.
“It’s clear there is an agenda for the ultimate removal of God and religion from our Parliamentary proceedings and this must not happen.
“Over the last few months we’ve met with numerous Christian groups and churches around the country who are incensed at what is a deliberate step towards dismantling and removing prayer, religion and God completely from our Parliament and nation,” says Smith.
Dozens of motor cyclists will also attend the rally, meeting at the Ngāti Toa Domain in Plimmerton (just north of Wellington) at 10am on Tuesday 30 October, then travelling in convoy to converge on Parliament for the 12pm rally.
“Our nation was founded on Judean and Christian values and principles,” says Smith. “Our national anthem implores God to defend New Zealand yet the Speaker thinks he is above our heritage and legacy and can undo a central foundation on which our country was built”.
The rally will be held at Parliament Grounds, Tuesday 30 October from 12pm (midday) to 1.30pm.
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