The Methodist Church of Fiji has now maintained its stance that their ministers and preachers have every right to preach the Gospel of love based on the truth that Jesus, and no other, is the only way to God and salvation.

In a statement released after a report aired on Fijivillage News this morning, the Church General Secretary Reverand Tuikilakila Waqairatu said the draft Charter proposal for interfaith dialogue as a means of building social cohesion will only lead to racial and religious intolerance and instability.

Fijivillage News has received confirmation that a Methodist Church minister created a major misconception during his sermon to ensure that all the members of the congregation in Naitasiri reject the draft Charter.

Reliable sources have confirmed to us that the Methodist Church minister who preached at one of the churches in Naganivatu, Naitasiri last Sunday told the congregation that every Methodist should reject the Charter. The church minister then went on and said from the pulpit that if people accept the Charter then they would accept, allow and would have to worship Hindu Gods like Lord Rama and Lord Krishna.

He then told the congregation that this is stated in the draft Charter. Although there is nothing stated in the Charter that everyone would have to accept Hinduism and worship Hindu Gods, the church minister kept saying that it is in the Charter and people have to reject the document.
Our reliable sources confirm that the Methodists attending the service were confused and they later went ahead and signed the document distributed by the Methodist Church to reject the draft Charter.

While reacting to this report, Reverand Waqairatu said contrary to promoting love, understanding and tolerance, the People's Charter has become a major divisive force in the community.

Waqairatu said the Methodist Church will not support a Charter, which, for the sake of political correctness, encourages the sharing of the post modernism thought that there are many ways to God and thereby sacrificing the very essence of the Christian faith.

Meanwhile Interim Lands Minister and NCBBF member, Netani Sukanaivalu, who is a staunch Methodist, said the draft People's Charter is a unifying document to promote love, understanding and tolerance.