New Zealand has abolished references to Jesus from the parliamentary prayer, sparking outrage among the country’s Christian population.
The Guardian reports: A reference to “almighty god” remains, but it is not a specific reference to a Christian god.
The protesters want Jesus’s name reinstated, and held signs reading “Dishonourable Judas Mallard”.
On Tuesday around 1,000 people protested on the steps of parliament house in Wellington, arguing that New Zealand was a Christian nation and Mallard had no authority to axe Jesus’s name.
“He needs a good kick in his pants, and he needs to actually be removed because this is a Christian nation,” protester Rieki Teutscher told Radio NZ.“We don’t share his atheism.”
Politicians such as Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters have said it would have been judicious for the speaker to have consulted more widely before actioning the changes.
“Well the decision as to what should be changed should be made by parliamentarians and not the speaker – that’s our position, I don’t mind telling you publicly,” deputy prime minister Winston Peters told RNZ.
“If you’re going to make a change let’s have parliament decide – not one person.”
Mallard said he had consulted with parliamentarians and the majority had indicated they were in favor of secular prayer.
Jesus was removed by their parliamentary prayer back in October!
Like that wasn’t enough for the Christians in New Zeland now their Prime Minister is calling for all women to wear Hijab on Friday and will transmit Muslim prayer across the nation as an act of solidarity!
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced New Zealand will broadcast the Muslim call to prayer across the nation on TV and radio Friday. That same day New Zealand women are being encouraged to wear the Islamic head covering on Friday in sympathy with Muslims in the wake of the mass shooting terror attack by white eco-nationalist Brenton Tarrant at two Christchurch mosques last Friday that killed 50 and wounded dozens.
Watch:
New Zealand PM @jacindaardern announces 2 min. silence and broadcasting the Muslim Call to Prayer on Friday.
Exactly how you respond to hate: pic.twitter.com/lugcBM1L1f— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) March 20, 2019
#NewZealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wore a hijab when she met with members of the #Muslim community in #Christchurch on March 16, 2019.
Getty Images pic.twitter.com/U38p4FkJ22— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) March 16, 2019
THIS FRIDAY, 22 March, you’re invited to wear a headscarf or head covering at work, school, or play – to peacefully show your support for the New Zealand Muslim community at this time. #headscarfforharmony pic.twitter.com/geKkT1FExJ
— rachelmacg (@rachelmacg) March 19, 2019
The most highly visible identity marker (the beloved Hi Jab) of Islam and we have a far left female leader of a Western country calling for ALL women to wear what many progressive woman view as an oppressive symbol. Add to this the breaking their years-long tradition by removing Christ from their prayer. I would have never thought I would witness such a thing!
