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The head of the Sabbath Day Christian Revival Church, Pastor Vilikesa Raqio, has requested the Fiji Government to reconsider its stand on religious groups that keep their children out of school.
Mr Raqio said he supported the Government’s intention to send all school-aged children to school, but said “I strongly feel that those religious groups that decide not to send their kids to school should be given the liberty to decide for themselves,” he said. “These religious groups are not cults and they teach their children biblical lessons that will help improve their spiritual beliefs.”
However, Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki said the law had been enacted and everyone must follow it.
“All students that are supposed to be in school must be in school because it is a government requirement that all students must attend school,” he said.
“Whether it is a cult or religious groups, the Government has already decided that all students must attend school and everyone should adhere to the law.”
In 2009 Pastor Raqio questioned a decision by the Citizens Constitutional Forum which labelled as unconstitutional a decision by a Vanua Levu chief to forbid his villagers from travelling on Sunday except for church gatherings. Dissatisfaction with Sunday travel had stemmed from villagers walking out of church sermons to catch the boat to Labasa.
Source
- The Fiji Times
- Image: Babasiga
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