Sponsored Links:
INLSA
President Jacob Zuma has berated Christianity for bringing on the existence of orphans and old age homes, a report said.
President Jacob Zuma has berated Christianity for bringing on the existence of orphans and old age homes, The Times reported on Wednesday.
“As Africans, long before the arrival of religion and (the) gospel, we had our own ways of doing things,” Zuma was quoted as saying at the launch of a road safety and crime awareness campaign at KwaMaphumulo in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Those were times that the religious people refer to as dark days but we know that, during those times, there were no orphans or old-age homes. Christianity has brought along these things,” he said.
Zuma, who in 2007 was ordained as a honorary pastor at a meeting of independent charismatic churches in Durban, told the crowd that South Africans should return to the “old way of doing things” because modernity had been harmful on society.
“We have passed laws that prohibit you as a parent (from using) corporal punishment. Today, when, as a parent, you bring your child (to) order by using corporal punishment, you are breaking the law, but the person who passed that law cannot raise your child the way you want to.”
Zuma said while he did not blame such legislation, “I can't be diplomatic about this. It's a fact”.
Zuma's apparent criticism of Christianity is in marked contrast to the ANC's long history of using religious terminology to promote itself.
On Tuesday, ANC Chief Whip Mathole Motshekga said the ANC needed to remain steadfast as the ruler of South Africa until Jesus returned to the world.
Motshekga received thunderous applause after he told attendants at the Limpopo African National Congress's elective conference in Polokwane, “the organisation has a responsibility to rule until Jesus pays us another visit”.
These remarks echoed comments made by Zuma in June 2009 at a rally in Mpumulanga, when he said that the ANC “will rule until Jesus comes”.
In February this year, Zuma caused outrage after he apparently tried to woo Eastern Cape voters for the local elections by telling them they would go to heaven if they voted for the ANC; and conversely would experience fiery damnation if they did not.
A Democratic Alliance transcript of Zuma's remarks during the voter registration drive in Mthatha claimed he said: “When you vote for the ANC, you are also choosing to go to heaven. When you don't vote for the ANC you should know that you are choosing that man who carries a fork... who cooks people.
“When you are carrying an ANC membership card, you are blessed. When you get up there, there are different cards used but when you have an ANC card, you will be let through to go to heaven.”
At the time, ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said that if the word “heaven” was inappropriate in a figurative sense, expressions such as 'marriage made in heaven', 'heavenly voices' and 'sweets from heaven' would not exist.
Six months earlier, Free State ANC leader Ace Magashule told some 900 ANC delegates at a provincial list conference in Bethlehem that they should follow party leader Zuma the same way people in church followed Jesus.
In December 2008, Magashule told Volksblad newspaper that Zuma was suffering just like Jesus Christ did.
“Jesus was persecuted. He was called names and betrayed. It's the same kind of suffering Mr Zuma has had to bear recently, but he's still standing strong. He's not giving up.”
At the time Zuma was involved in appealing with a Supreme Court of Appeal case where he was defending a high court ruling that saw graft charges dropped against him.
The ruling was later upheld.
Magashule said at the time he was not saying Zuma was Jesus.
“He can't be Jesus. I merely compared the kind of persecution that had to be endured.”
In November 2008, Zuma said that South Africa was a country based on the rules and principles of God.
Speaking at a national presidential religious leaders conference he said: “When all of us take office in government... we raise our right hand and indeed pronounce... so help me God. I believe no-one can argue South Africa is not based on the principles of God,” said Zuma.
During Zuma's 2006 trial rape, many of his supporters likened him to Jesus.
“Zuma is Jesus,” read one a banner outside the Johannesburg High Court at the time, while another supporter carried a white, wooden home-made crucifix asking: “Why are you crucifying Zuma?”
The crucifix also bore a decoupaged picture of Zuma with outstretched arms. - Sapa
|
|
Scapegoat, wrote
I get the impression when shady things are happening behind the scenes, the government puts up smoke screens like this. I reckon it's just a tactic, i am sure he is not that stupid. Religion = votes and JZ knows this.
Anonymous, wrote
Well it is true that the white man came to Africa With a cross in his one hand, a gun in the other and a slogan on his shirt that read "embrace or die"...I have no idea where he gets the old age homes and orphans from though...
Anonymous, wrote
I pray that the Good Lord Almighty rids us of this evil person. What an idiot we have for Xmas. The issue is a social issue and has nothing to do with religion. He certainly knows how to divide a nation.
Anonymous, wrote
The president ahd a point, but just got muddled up and didn't know how to put it accross. In our Nguni culture 'intandane' and the old and infirm live with relatives. They are not banished to homes. Missionaries came with the idea of 'homing' them. Please give the man a break. It's Christmas time.
@Themba Mkhize, wrote
Themba, please feel free to return to your culture that you so dearly admire. No one's gonna stop you. Let your village raise your child and please don't feel obliged to entrust your children to a western education and a white teacher. We really will afford you that right. Go ahead, enjoy!!
LEMAO BETHUEL, wrote
I just cannot understand if this statement is made by our own President, forgetting that through christianity and other religion is the reason why we had free and fair election in South Africa elections without bloodshed. shame on you Mr. President. I advice that he must withdraw his statment. Jeezz!!!
Willy , wrote
This man,s not my President,,,Nor are Christian Missionaries my helping hand
madhir, wrote
larnies, don't be surprised to hear those words coming out from this ou's mouth. same crap repackaged, different day. nothing out of the ordinary.
badballie, wrote
Tyrants and dictators the world over have used Christianity as the basis for their crimes against humanity, why should the ANC be any different.
Large_Nosed_Muslim, wrote
I can't believe that he would say that , the infidel
Anonymous, wrote
it is true when the bible says my people will die because of the lack of knowledge. One thing I know is that we need to pray for our leaders so that they do not continue to leaders in vain. I feel sorry for our 'president'
Themba Mkhize, wrote
What the president is saying is correct. In our Nguni culture we used to have extended families. Our elders were the backbone of the homestead and your relatives were your family. It was the responsibility of the whole village to raise the child.
Bird, wrote
hahahah! Mnxim
kenny, wrote
I wonder what that other clown, Ray Macauly, has to say about his pal Zooma now.
Sassenach, wrote
I wonder who prepared this speech for you? By the sound of it they are all on leave and you had to do it yourself.
hope, wrote
Mr President, you are talking a whole lot of hogwash & bull!! In IsiZulu, there is a term “intandane” which means orphan. this term is used to refer to parentless children. it has been used way before westerneastern religion was introduced in Southern Africa. Jacob “Showerma” Zuma, go back to school and research your own African history. You are an embarrassment to South Africa and to your own family. I think you should consult well informed individuals like your ex-wife before you open your gob and spew s***!!!
Angela, wrote
What utter rot! And we call this guy our leader? Surely the duty of a president it to protect the rights of its citizens and uphold their constitutional rights regardless of his personal beliefs. This is how people start being victimised and marginalised. So much for a progressive country. These politicians are the ones condemning Africa to a return to the Dark Ages. He, above all, should be role model for all politicians in the country. How then do you insult Christian beliefs on the one hand- without foundation- on the one hand and ask them to vote for you on the other. It really is time for people to start being activists again and stop abosribing the junk being spouted by our so-called 'leaders'!
Agreed, wrote
Pr Zuma is on to something here! Christianity as a religion was hijacked a long time ago and "missionaries" were used to enslave people and steal their land's resources. That is Fact and well documented for those willing to know the Truth. With
Angie, wrote
Mmmm : But you still take our Christian taxes .... Please can all Christians now stop paying taxes and let the Government use "their own way of doing things" to care for the children and elderly. This man is scarily ignorant of what image he is sending out.
p, wrote
Yes Mr. President. Those days there was no AIDS, poverty levels were never so low, people has job and politician were honorable. Now we have people like you unscrupulous, steeling from the poor who can hardly manage to take care of families. Christianity is compassion, caring and given. You are taking and taking till there is no more for people to fend for themselves and their families. Next time you say something like this check were the other three fingers are pointing.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Services
Buying a car has never been easy. Motoring.co.za contains a large database of car listings with a user friendly search.
Start searching today »
Business Directory
You are here: IOL / News / Special Features / The Zuma Era / Zuma: Christianity created orphans
We like to make your life easier
Mobile
Browse IOL on your phone at m.iol.co.za.
Newsletters
Subscribe to our newsletters. News delivered to your inbox!
