Transcript
Speaking about the bill in Parliament last week the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said reference to Christianity is currently limited to the preamble of the Constitution and defining a state religion in the body of the Constitution will give it the legal force it requires. If the bill passes an article will be inserted stating:
"Samoa is a Christian nation founded on God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit".
The chancellor for the Catholic Archdiocese of Samoa Father Fereti Tautunu is applauding the government for having the courage to declare Samoa a Christian state.
"Of course I support the bill based on the fact Christianity has a huge influence in Samoa. The Government in Samoa as well as the Samoan culture is already implemented into Christianity."
Most of the MPs who spoke during the bill's second reading expressed support for it, with several suggesting it should go further and restrict other religious denominations. The Prime Minister went on to say that religious wars are common throughout the world and it is the Government's duty to legislate to avoid religious tensions in the future. Father Tautunu says there will still be freedom of religion in Samoa - as long as other religions bring in good Christian values.
"I don't see any point for other religions to be worried about this bill, unless any other religion coming into Samoa creates and keeps fighting against each other, bloodshed and war under the name of any religion. That is the sort of religion that this bill will exercise stopping them from coming over to Samoa."
Australia-based Imam Afroz Ali has visited Samoa for many years. He says he doesn't have a problem with the legislation unless it becomes oppressive to other faiths. But he is questioning its intent, saying the driving forces behind it, the Council of Churches last year called for a ban on Islam.
"If such laws come and then you have faith leaders or political leaders who then misuse this particular kind of amendment in projecting to the rest of the society that this is some how to undermine or to ban Muslims then obviously the common citizen will think that this is somehow acceptable and therefore they will enter into a world of discrimination."
Imam Afroz says he doesn't believe the Muslim community in Samoa, which numbers in the hundreds, currently experiences discrimination as Samoans are largely accepting of diversity. But he's worried the law will change that.
"Important to note is that Samoans are not discriminatory people, they are so welcoming people. To bring laws which undermine this or divide people is actually very unSamoan."
National University of Samoa Director of Samoan Studies Malama Meleisea says Christian denominations are framing concerns about Islamism in an emotional way to try and protect their own turf. He says the original constitution guaranteed freedom of religion, but he's concerned the amendment could threaten those who don't subscribe to conservative Christian values.
"A sort of intolerance coming with it, all the unpleasant things that come with it, you know that we've seen in history over the last six seven hundred years. It's very uncomfortable."
The editor of the Samoa Observer, Mata'afa Keni Lesa has written an editorial criticising the law. He says Christianity teaches people to love mankind, but politicians aren't practicing what they preach.
"I think personally there's a lot of work that needs to be done with all the problems that's happening in Samoa right now and that includes addressing abuse and corruption and thefts. If you're going to declare your country a Christian then you might as well ensure that your people behave like one."
The Editor says while the move has overwhelming public support, it's a backward step for Samoa. Several MPs have questioned whether the bill contravenes human rights principles Samoa is obliged to respect under international law.
