Dimapur, February 17 (MExN): The Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Pastors Fellowship (DAABAPF) has strongly condemned the BJP candidate, workers and supporters for hurting the sentiments of the Christians in the state.
In a viral video circulated on Friday, a BJP candidate, officials and others are seen shouting slogans “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!” during their election campaign. Condemning this incident, DAABAPF, President, Temsu Jamir and Secretary, Mar Longkumer in a statement said, “The recent BJP supporters singing “I have decided” imbroglio was more than enough to hurt the sentiments of the Christians very deeply. Yet BJP official workers and supporters continue to slash mockery and rub salt on the deeply hurting wounds, by shouting slogans “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!” during their election campaign which is utterly disgusting.”
“The Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Pastors raise our fingers to point your ignorance and tell you why you shouldn’t use this sacred phrase which we see it as abomination when you use it with wrong motives,” the fellowship stated.
It said that “Hallelujah” is from two Hebrew words – “Hallel” means “Praise” and “Jah” or “Yah” is a short form of “Yahweh” (God), name of our Living God. “Hallelujah” is a Hebrew liturgical expression which appears in the Bible several times. “The Christians use these expressions “Hallelujah!” “Praise the Lord” as spontaneous expression of joy, thanksgiving and praise towards God,” DAABAPF said.
“This jubilatory phrase attributed in high reverence to our Living God cannot be used for your whimsical political goals,” it stated.
Therefore, strongly condemning the “aghast mockery towards the Christians,” DAABAPF called upon “the BJP candidates and BJP workers to refrain from your imprudent attempts to fool the general public by using religious songs and phrases.”
