Hichilema’s UN address challenges the UN to go back to Protestant roots

President Hichilema of Zambia is Master Guide at Seventh-day Adventist Church

The Seventh-day Adventist and seventh President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, called upon the United Nations to return to the drawing board for what motivated the establishment of the nations' body.

Hichilema’s maiden speech to the 76ths United Nations General Assembly is full of authority and confidence when tackling the principles of democracy, human rights and freedom, rarely found in most presidents especially the Africans.

In a world where the Bible is silenced in the walls of political caucuses, Hichilema firmly quoted the prophetic message of Isaiah 2: 4 on the UN Plaza.

“I am drawn to the prophetic inscription on the wall of the united nations plaza, ‘They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more”

Isaiah Wall at the United Nations Plaza

He does not only tells the UN that it’s an end-times prophecy, but he also reminds us that the United Nations was founded on Protestant ideas whose roots are in the Bible.

What is rarely mentioned is that human rights came with Protestantism after assault on the oppressive catholic church that had the political power to dictated who and when to worship.

The reason Hichilema speaks with confidence is his belief in Biblical principles which guarantee people’s rights.

Of course, unbelievers criticize the Bible because they don’t know that during the period before protestant ideas engulfed the world, those who didn’t want to belong to religion and Protestants who believed in Biblical principles could be killed the same death of rebellers in Lisbon, England, France and anywhere.

It’s noteworthy that the UN replace the failed League of Nations championed by France, a catholic constituency, whose aim was to unite the world under one umbrella as a way to attain peace, a catholic idea.

The United States refused to join the LN because it was leading the world to disaster and so, President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, both from protestant societies pioneered the formation of the UN on principles embracing diversity as opposed to enforcing unity.

The 59-year old belongs to the Seventh-day Adventists who oppose the unity of churches or of church and state in the name of peace, holding the idea that embracing people's diverse beliefs brings peace.

In other words, Hichilema spoke a president of the United States would on principles of democracy, boasting that in his country, an election is “determined by those who vote and not those who count the votes”

“We are therefore proud to provide leadership in our country where people aspire for a free and just society where they aspire for their voices to be heard,” he said.

The Master Guide at SDA also mentions Kenneth Kaunda who fought for Zambia’s independence, reminding the world of the protestants who fought for Africa’s independence.

Apollo Milton Obote who agitated for Uganda’s independence belonged to the Church of Uganda, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya from the Church of Scotland, Samora Machel of Mozambique even condemned the Catholic Church, Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba of DRCongo was born of the catholic family because Congo was for Catholics but after attending a Protestants’ school, he was never the same.

Note that, the national anthems of countries liberated by protestants have  “God” and “freedom” in them and some can even fit to be hymns such as “blessed by God’s good hand "In Zambia's, "Oh Uganda May God uphold thee", etc.

Hichilema reminds the UN in his conclusion that letting the flow of different ideas against the strong man’s leadership or unity of church and state is the best way to attain peace.

“I wish to emphasize that it is the duty and responsibility of all of us … to make democracy work for our people; This is what will keep away autocratic and heavy-handed alternatives from leadership; This is what will foster a peaceful, prosperous and more united world".

Please Watch President Hakainde Hichilema's address at the UNGA here:

.......................................

Faith Reporters 

Email: faithreporters@gmail.com

Tel: +250788240436

May God bless you

Comments

Post a Comment