It sounds like a real paradise you have there
Fiji’s government has canceled this year’s conference of the Methodist church, claiming the week-long meeting would foster instability.
The move was announced from a statement from government police and military forces, arguing that “inciteful issues are going to be discussed at the conference.”
Fiji’s Methodists gather each August at a different location to take part in choral competitions, collect money for the church’s work and discuss social and political issues.
Church leaders hoped to gain an audience to plead their case with Commodore Frank Bainimarama, the country’s military and political leader (and practicing Methodist). Bainimarama, who told Church leaders no conference until politics leaves their pulpits, came to power in a 2006 coup that dissolved parliament and what he termed the corrupt and racist pro-indigenous Fijian government of Laisenia Qarase, also a practicing Methodist.
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/06/03/fiji-a-christian-state/
Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu says although there are many non-Christian faiths in Fiji, and the church intends to have good relations with them, it must be recognised that Fiji was ceded to God by the chiefs, meaning it was and remains a Christian country.
The Methodist Church was allowed to hold its annual conference in Suva last week, after church meetings were banned by the coup installed military government for several years.
In Fiji religious freedom is protected a nd the state does not endorse religious discrimination. However, some criminal ac tivity focuses specifically on non-Christian religions. It is evident from sources that relig ious attacks are made in Fiji, where temples and mosques are broken into. Apart from stealin g money or offerings ke pt in the temples, religious idols have been broke n and shattered into pieces.
This is cert ainly not only stealing but a means of “racial” attack. Recently, the former Vice-President and Bau Ch ief, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, requested the Methodist Church of Fiji to respect the dignity of everyone in Fiji and emphasised that no person should be discriminated on the basi s of their race, religion or skin colour.
However the attacks continue. Whilst they are not endorsed by the State, a state which wants to address ethnic tension needs to a ddress the attacks on temples and mosques as being manifestations of ethnic tension.
http://www.paclii.org/journals/fJSPL/vol12no1/pdf/narayan.pdf
The Voice of the Oppressed People of Fiji Restoring Democracy, Rule of Law & Human Rights in Fiji
The acts of repression and suppression by the ruling military junta in Fiji never cease but daily increase. Its latest act is the requirement of a permit for Hindus to gather and to observe and celebrate their religious festivals. The requirement is a flagrant breach of the fundamental right and freedom of every citizen to the religion of their choice and to religi ous worship. It is also discriminatory in that while permits are required for Hindus, they are not required for Christians attending Church on Saturdays and Sundays and for Muslims attending Mosque on Fridays