More NG Kerk cracks over anti-racism creed

More cracks have emerged in the NG Kerk over it not adopting of an anti-racism confession, which denounces segregation between Christians of different races in the church. In a local daily, Schalk Pienaar of the NG Kerk in Namibia accused church leaders of deliberately confusing members about the essence of the creed. According to Pienaar the church leadership decided that those who want to confess to apartheid sins cannot do it. “Is it not the responsibility of leaders to take people over borders, where they themselves are not prepared to do? he asked. The Belhar Confession stems from a protest by the coloured-oriented Dutch Reformed Missionary Church and the black-oriented Dutch Reformed Church in Africa against racial segregation in the church during the 1980s. The two churches merged to become the Uniting Reformed Church in Africa and adopted the Belhar Confession as its article of faith. The confession is based on reconciliation, unity and justice. The Indian-oriented Reformed Church in Africa and the white Nederduits Gereformeerde (NG) Kerk remain predominantly white and Indian. Pienaar argues that with Namibia celebrating its Silver Jubilee independence anniversary, the church should inspect itself to change negative perceptions. In an opinion piece in the same daily newspaper Flip Els said the so-called Belhar Confession, was not a confession, but a protest against apartheid whose shelf life in both Namibia and South Africa had expired. According to him, members must put their foot down and tell their leaders that they will no longer be manipulated. Els, however, questioned the honesty of church leaders with their members. He added that the Belhar Confession brought more division to the church structures than it brought unity. “Belhar carries the germ of separation and is one of the biggest separation factors in the NG Kerk, said Els. He emphasised that if churches continue to insist for the adoption of the anti-apartheid creed, it will eventually destroy the church. “Why nag with a thing that cannot offer a solution, and in the process lose another 23 000 members? he asked. According to him, most members of the NG Kerk have no idea what the Belhar Confession is and very few would have voted for it, had they been educated about its anti-racism history. General of the Council of Churches of Namibia (CCN) Secretary General, Reverend Maria Kapere, could not comment on the issue, saying she is yet to acquaint herself with the Belhar Confession. WINDHOEK JEMIMA BEUKES