Says it is not part of North East Christian Forum
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 26 (MExN): The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) today said that it is not a part of the North East Christian Forum which was launched on November 20. While issuing this clarification, it further voiced out against divisive tactics.
A press release from the NJCF stated that the new forum was formed “without the church leaders in the region.”
“Though the intention of the formation is not known, one can safely assume that it is done by certain group of people who are not part of any of the forums in the region,” it claimed.
The NJCF clarified that North East Christian Forum is neither part of the United Christian Forum of North East India (UCFNEI). “Individuals cannot just form a forum for their own religio-socio-politico agenda. The theme of the formation of the forum, ‘Call to Oneness’ though beautiful in presentation can also be divisive in nature. This aspect is clearly portrayed in the personalities and dignitaries who took the stage to address the call to unity. The word Christian is used to confuse the region where the church remains strong and united,” the NJCF said.
It meanwhile pointed out that recently the Church in the region is being blamed as instrumental in “false conversion by those who are trying to suppress freedom of religion and expression of faith.” “The very mechanism and authority who are supposed to be defending the rights of the citizens in the region are creating confusion and playing the double standard tactics which is in fact very unfortunate,” it stated.
“On the eve of the formation they remain silent to the false accusation and what right do they possess to form a forum calling for unity?” the NJCF questioned.
It stated that the UCFNEI compromising of all the major religious bodies has come out against the “false allegations” of false conversion labelled against the region. “At this time of confusion, the leaders of the region should come out clean rather than trying to appease the people with the hidden agenda of the big brothers who are trying to suppress the diversity of socio-religio fabric of the region,” the NJCF appealed.
It asserted that the strength of the region lies not in unity and oneness alone but in diversity and respect. “People in the Northeast have always opposed the imposition of value systems, divisive thinking (tactics) and narrow-mindedness that are alien to our collective ethos. We have always believed in harmony, cooperation, warm-hearted relationship and our mind has always been inclusive,” the NJCF said.
The NJCF stated that the formation of the North East Christian Forum on November 20 “has failed to take the church into confidence and created more confusion than solve the pertinent issues facing the region.” It urged the Church to “stay alert because in the name of the forum the church will be divided in the region.”
