SAMOA’S prime minister has suggested that non-Christian religions be banned from the country.
Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt called for careful consideration of the way forward to protect Samoa from religious extremism and violence.
The National Council of Churches has been asked to consider and advise government on the future of non-Christian beliefs in the country.
Scmidt pointed to recent attacks on Christians and Jews in Australia and New Zealand as the need for the review.
“If there are religions that do not believe in our Christian faith, then they should not be accepted here,” Schmidt said.
“This is the time to address it.’’
On Christmas Eve, the prime minister announced his government’s view that non-Christian religions should not be allowed in Samoa. He did not say whether Judaism was included in the religions his government did not want to permit in the country.
“We must consider very carefully, as a nation, the entering of pagan beliefs that are not founded on God,” he said.
“Government is advocating measures to restrict non-Christian religions in Samoa.”
In 2017 Samoa’s Parliament moved to amend the country’s Constitution to declare it a Christian nation founded on God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, changing it from a secular state.
Previously, the Constitution described Samoa as “an independent State based on Christian principles and Samoan custom and traditions.”
The 2017 amendment made Christianity the national religion.
Additional content: Samoa Observer and Samoa Global News