KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Peter (Kingsland)
There is no doubt that New Zealand has no established religion, nor does the United States, whereas the United Kingdom does. No nation should have any established religion. However, what Helen Clark and her fellow PC travellers are trying to do, is to deny our nation's Christian heritage and undermine the influence of Christianity. The three Christian crosses in the corner of our flag (representing the three countries that formed the United Kingdom) demonstrate to the world that we are indeed a Christian nation. Many flags of Northern European countries do the same, and many of the flags of the Muslim world demonstrate their religion with crescent. I am not a Christian, but am very glad to have been brought up on Christian values in a Christian nation.
Confused historian
Is Christianity native to our soil? I thought Christianity happened in the middle east somewhere - and that there were some gods called Rangi, Tane, and Maui that held the fort here.
Joe 90
I don't necessarily support Tamaki / Destiny, however I think he has a point when he says we should recognise our Christian heritage. For Clark to say we are having an inclusive debate to foster tolerance and then exclude tamari, she is surely missing the point?
Vicki (Auckland)
It is frightening to think that Brian Tamaki's "bunch of protesters" is what he is calling "Christianity in New Zealand". My understanding of Christianity is not insisting your congregation take days off work, some I am sure is unpaid, to follow you around the country, or insist your congregation pay for overseas speakers to visit then insist your congregation pay again to hear these visitors speak - all simply to show how many "Christian followers" he supposedly has. That is not Christian - that is merely being a dictator. The world is currently proving that it does not tolerate dictators!
Grace (Parnell)
NZ is a Christian nation. If we went to the Middle East we wouldn't expect them to become Christian for us.
Rob
As an aethiest I believe that I can categorically state that New Zealand is a christian country. Easter/Christmas we have statutory holidays for. This should be a big enough sign for Helen Clark to acknowledge New Zealand's Christian heritage. Still, she leads a government that ignored the 70 per cent of NZ that didnt want the anti-smacking legislation, why should we expect her to do something different in this case. Go National!
Auckland
Destiny's church to Christianity is no different to extremest factions of shiites and muslims that he seems to hate so much. I am almost certain there are many more Athiests in this country than Christians. Maybe we should be classed as an Athiest state and as Brian suggests, treat Christians like 2nd class citizens? We all need to rise up. There is no way I will just stand up and watch brainwashed idiots of Destiny's church run our country.
Michael Rippon
Has Mrs Harawira forgotten the manner in which the Christian faith was introduced into this fair land?I think the "Radical and conservative Maori leaders" need to go back through the history books to remind themselves of how the Moari people were treated by the Christians who settled in NZ all those years ago. For one to fight against un-just treatment from a people and then accept their faith is a double standard. New Zealand is not and will never be a Christian Nation. We may have a lot of Christian people here, but this does not mean all people in the nation should be represented by the faith. Our country is diverse in people and religious faiths, so to call New Zealand a Christian Nation would simply be a lie, which I'm sure the Maori people would not want more of./
Steven
Quite frankly Brian Tamaki and all the Christians who went to that protest should piss off. I don't understand the Maori stance either, on the one hand they want to keep all their Maori superstitions tying up other New Zealanders with bull processes in the operation of their business. Yet at the same time apparently they are so strongly supportive of the radical Christian viewpoint. Hint" The two do not mix.. Just a bunch of hypocrites. What else is new?
Bill DYet
Not all religions are created equal. People who think otherwise might want to spend some time living in Saudi Arabia or Iran or Afghanistan. New Zealand owes a great legacy to Christianity in terms of what we value and how we treat others. I applaud Brian Tamaki for taking the heat yet again to protect our culture and way of life in "God's own."
Kat (Hamilton)
I'm sorry but did I read it right?"Bishop" Brian Tamaki said not to "defile" New Zealand's soil with "foreign religions"? Isn't Christianity foreign? If that's the case, he should go back to whence his religion came from if he does not embrace the diversity we already have. Christian holidays are observed to the inconvenience to many of us who don't follow it. (Easter shopping hours an example). I'm not bantering Christianity as a whole but the short-sightedness of one man leading blind thousands to believe that Christianity should be the foundation of this country is worrying as it brings images to my head of suppression to observe what I don't believe in.
Adrian
We don't need a state religion. Everyone can choose to have one or not. Why should there be one?
Jess
Come people, when is Tamaki ever right. I am not religious at all and I commend her for saying what she did. I bet they'd be a heck of a lot more protests if she had said we did have a state religion.That is part of the draw card for immigrants as they know they won't get persecuted for having a different faith (except by Brian Tamaki).
kokokairua
I agree with Bishop Brian Tamaki, this country was founded on Christianaity, for too long we have taken this privilege for granted, as Mrs Harawira commented at Waitangi, thank "God for Helen Clark" for her actions has wakened the sleeping giant of the Christian Church to stand for what it believes, in saying that, it does not mean that other cultures and beliefs are not welcome to our foreshores, we only ask that when they come to start a new life here that they understand that this is a Christian country, and this needs to be recognised officially as a Christian State.
Delenn
No, NZ should not have a state religion. But we should have a law to stop men like Brian Tamaki from inciting hatred the way he does. Men like him cause wars, and it is the generations who follow that pay the price. Countries like Iraq & Iran are the classic example of why religion and politics do not mix, its time NZ woke up to this man. Nip him in the bud, before its too late.
Andrew
I think Mr Tamaki has forgotten his NZ history. We certainly weren't a christian nation as little as 170 years ago.Mr Tamaki seems to forget to mention that the only reason Christianity is in NZ at all is that many of the European immigrants brought it with them just like the Maori brought their belief system with them when they came to NZ, just like the Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus etc do today. They bring their religion with them when they come. The only thing NZ can affirm is that it is a nation that allows religious freedom and the right for any migrant to be able to worship in their manner on an equal footing with all other religions. That is after all the Christian thing to do.
Anna
I am a Christian and have been since childhood, but am in total disagreement with Brian Tamaki's (as per usual) hijacking stunts and disregard of religious freedoms. Religion and Politics don't mix...that is how wars are started. Every person in New Zealand has a basic human right to be whatever religion (or not) they choose - whether it be Christian, Muslim, Hindu or humanist or otherwise. We should be celebrating our religious diversity and I believe that the religious statement as it stands makes that quite clear - that while Christianity has played a major role in our countries development and history that we have no official religion and that all religions are welcome. If we take away peoples basic human right to have their religion recognised as a part of our society we are no better then those who persecute Christians in other parts of the world. We need only look to those countries who DO have an official religion to realise that this is an open door for those fanatics with their own personal agendas.
SB
Brian Tamaki does not understand what true Christian values are. One not need be a subscriber to the Christian faith but still hold and practice Christian values more so than those that profess to be Christian.Brian Tamaki like many mis-guided religious leaders of the past use fear among their followers to propagate their own ends.
Barney
I have no desire to and have never intimated to anyone that I wanted to live in a society that is dominated by any one religion of any persuasion. Mr Tamaki is just displaying religious arrogance.The issue here is a racial issue. Maori have nothing to thank the colonial missionaries for as they destroyed their spiritual base.
Kate Bennett
We have a religion in New Zealand and it is called Christianity. To say we dont is to deny our heritage. New Zealand was founded on Christianity and we have thousands of people attending church every week. The only religion in New Zealand has been Christianity and no other. While other religions are practiced here they are not the basis of New Zealand culture. Its time we got rid of this political correctness and leave our Christianity alone.With the changing faces of New Zealand its important to retain, identify and support our Christian heritage. This is part of New Zealand and forms the basis of a number of our laws.
Andy
I do not know who is right -- Helen Clark or Brian Tamaki. What I do know is that Helen Clark does not have the mandate or the credibility to make a unilateral pronouncement on the state of religion on behalf of all New Zealand. If such a pronouncement is to be made it should be the result of a Referendum, or a conscience vote in Parliament.
Phil
I don't believe what I am hearing! State religion. What religion? Whose version of that religion? The one thing we know about all religions and xtianity in particular is that people who profess the same religion have widely differing beliefs.
How long before the guvmint determined what interpretation was the correct one if we had a state religion? Judging by the political ambitions of the current crop of religious leaders-not very long at all. So the nest step would be the xtian equivalent of sharia courts where people's actions weren't judged by modern law but against some zealot's interpretation of what some bloke said to another bloke, who passed it on to a third who then wrote it down until some old geezer about a thousand years later 'translated' it from Aramaic to Latin and then after another couple of centuries into English - except no one speaks English like that any more. Lawyers have a field day with the current 'modern' English law.Can you imagine how this would play out?
Tracy (Wellington)
Of course NZ is a Christian country. Saying otherwise is "newspeak" While we do not have a State religion, Christianity was identified with by 55.6 per cent of people in the last census. Nearly all of the Maoori population who stated a religious affiliation said they were Christian (99.9 per cent). Just over 8 in 10 Pacific peoples (or 80.2 per cent ) who answered the religious affiliation question identified with Christian religions. We have a Labour government and only 41 per cent of New Zealanders voted for Labour at the last election. To say that we are not a Christian country denies every New Zealander their heritage.
Whakatane
Brian Tamaki's derision of "foreign" religions and spiritual beliefs is steeped in ignorance and hypocrisy. To begin with Christianity is itself a foreign religion. It would also be interesting to hear which version of Christianity that Tamaki wants to establish as a state religion. What happens to those of us who do not practice the state religion? Our family is mixed, being American Indian and Maori. We practice both traditional Indian ways and traditional Maori ways. Who is Mr. Tamaki to say that our children do not practice spiritual beliefs rooted in this land? If someone comes here from India and is Hindu, who is Mr. Tamaki to say that if they have been accepted as New Zealanders that they should not be able to practice their spiritual beliefs without fear of state sanctioned persecution? The religious intolerance espoused by Mr. Tamaki is contrary to traditional land based beliefs, Indigenous Peoples beliefs, human rights, and human decency. The slippery slope that Mr. Tamaki wants to ski down leads to the type of fanaticism akin to that of al Qaeda.
Patrick
I really hate to agree with her, but Helen Clark is right on this one. NZ has no state religion and Christianity in NZ has nothing to gain from being supported by or associated with the government. Just look at the UK and Sweden where there are official state Christian churches and Christianity is practically dead.
Schmacker (Dunedin)
Whilst I support Destiny's right to protest and voice their opinion, I strongly resent the implication that religions not based on a Christian foundation will "soil" our country. The problem seems to be widespread intolerance of other human beings holding different views, and an inability to have ones own view challenged.
Kate
I'm not sure whether I should laugh or cry about Brian Tamaki and his mindless minions! The same man that woke up one morning and decided to make himself a bishop, has spoken and decided that the only acceptable religion in New Zealand is Christianity? Not a very Christian idea now is it? Isn't this how religious wars have started? One religion declaring superiority over another? I thought New Zealand was above that but as long as we have egotistical idiots like Brian Tamaki I guess we are right on down there with places like Lebanon.
Simone
I think that Helen is right. For the government to come out and declare an official state religion is unnecessary and divisive. We've got by just fine without it until now and we have more religious diversity now than ever.
Richard (Mt Eden)
The values that new Zealanders hold dearly derive from our Christian heritage. We need to protect and recognise this. If we don't, outside influences will move in and fill the vacuum. Do we really want to end up like middle eastern countries. No freedom of religion,no women's rights and worse!
History Lover (Hokianga)
No. Brian has got it wrong. Protection of all religions was promised at Waitangi by the British. The treaty would probably have not got significant signatories if Hobson had not promised protection to all Christian churches and those who were not Christians. The actual words were "and those who retain their Maori practices ..." so from day one, our government has been committed to protection of all faiths.
Ali (Waipu)
"Bishop" Tamaki's warning about NZ being "defiled" by foreign religions comes a bit rich when he himself is a carbon copy of the archetypical American evangelist- right down to the rabid southern bigot style he emulates.
Marguerite (Tauranga, Concerned Nzer)
As I understand it, without the input of the early NZ Church, the Treaty would have much more difficulty being signed by the large number who did so. I believe it was the Church, which carried the Treaty and encouraged participation in the signing. I am open to correction. Surely that means out nation (not our state!) is based squarely with Christianity.
Gerard (Glenfield)
This is a difficult one. For once the bishop has a few good points. A lot of this country has been built on Christian beliefs and ideals. That doesn't mean that other religions have no place in this Country, and I challenge the "Christianity" of Destiny church. A lot of what I have heard from the Bishop in the past seems to be distinctly un-"Christ-Like".I worry about anything that Destiny church is behind because of the undertones of a divisive attitude and the harm that these sorts of attitudes can cause our society.In short, I'm with Helen.
Ian
Its ridiculous to deny New Zealand's Christian heritage. Traditional NZ values of helping each other out and looking after the disadvantaged have their roots in Christianity.
D Hall
I am 3rd generation kiwi. I work in social and health services. I have always prided myself on this country's freedom of individual choice. It would be a sad day to loose that through any domination.
Kharsis
Brian Tamaki needs to realise we are living in the 2000s in a country with full freedom to choose any religion we like including none. His attitude belongs back in the Dark Ages when the church ruled everything. NZ is a multi-cultural society with a diverse number of religions. We have never had a formally declared state religion and hopefully never will. Also why are Maori supporting Christianity and not supporting their own beliefs?
Alan Liefting (Chch)
New Zealand has always had a secular government but with the strong influence of Christianity. With the passing of legislation such as the Child Disciple Bill, the Homosexual Reform Act, the Prostitution Reform bill and the Civil Union Bill we are finally removing the last vestiges of the influence of Christianity from our society which is has become increasingly secular. Brian Tamaki wants to take us back to the Dark Ages and install a theocracy based on the unpalatable flavour of his version of Christianity. He is intolerant of our society which is becoming increasingly tolerant of the diverse lifestyles that are now able to be expressed without fear of persecution. Tamakis view is fortunately in a minority.
Oz
So much for Tapu Misa's contention in the Herald opinions today that all atheists want to get rid of religions. At this multi-faith convention did we see a bunch of atheists protesting against allowing equal opportunities for all faiths? Nope it was a bunch of Christians.
Deborah Dougherty
So what of our laws then? Are they not founded on the 10 commandments? Would you see our laws now reflect Muslim & Hindi beliefs (that do not recognise/protect women or children) or Humanist beliefs (that change according to personal opinion), Or communism (where the state is the parent and decides how you should live because they know better)? It is ignorant to believe that a country's character and economy is not based on any religious values. We sit here on our island in the South Pacific, oblivious to the true reality of living in a country whose laws are not founded on Judeo Christian ethic. We are so consumed with protecting our rights to live as we please without feeling guilty, that we fail to learn from the mistakes of other countries and condemn our children to a future of self absorption, divorce, debt, sterility, and loneliness as we continue to isolate ourselves from each other because relationship causes us to be accountable for our actions.Who now will decide what is right and wrong?
Le Fox
The last time I checked, NZ was in the Commonwealth, & QE2 was head of The Church of England making us a Christian State, (ever since Jimmy Cook set foot on these shores).Helen has eroded everything she does not believe in ever since she became PM. Tamaki is right,but it is just he doesn't have the same political view as Helen, so obviously, he must be wrong. This country is Christian, but if you continually allow other religions to enter your country, & basically out number you, & demand their faith be paramount, it won"t be long before this Christian country will be Muslim or Chinese etc, just take a look at Fiji.My statement is fact, not racist, so if you continually allow other religions to prosper while Christian religion, morals & ethics are forced to decline so other religions can take precedence, then you are begging for a take over of your own country. With 4 million people it doesn't take too many people to be in the majority, it is just like a company take over.Try & go to other Muslim countries & try & set up a Christian church or any other religious sect & you will probably meet your maker a lot sooner than you expected.
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