The state has passed a new bill against “forced conversion” which mandates anyone seeking to convert to another religion to give a month’s notice to the district magistrate stating they are doing so by their own will.
According to Christian charity Open Doors UK, a priest performing a conversion ceremony will also have to give a month’s notice. People who reconvert to their original religion are exempted from this requirement.
The bill forbids the “offer of any temptation in the form of any gift or gratification or material benefit, either in cash or employment, free education in a reputed school run by any religious body, easy money, better lifestyle, divine pleasure or otherwise”.
However, local Christians fear that the new law will be largely misused.
An Open Doors local partner said: “This now means that anyone praying for others’ healing will be accused as someone who is enticing people by offering them a better lifestyle, divine pleasure or otherwise.”
The new bill suggests seven years of jail for forced conversions, while the existing 2006 Freedom of Religion Act, which the new bill seeks to repeal, was proposing three years.
The bill also states that any person or organisation violating the provisions will not be allowed to accept donations or any kind of contributions from within or outside the country.
Anti-conversion laws are already in…
… Read More
—
Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.