adminIt is these structures that the city fathers are offering to churches that are conducting their prayer meetings in the open where there are no facilities such as toilets. The former beeerhalls have the necessary facilities such as toilets and running water and are therefore very ideal places for worshippers to meet. Most of the beerhalls have pre-cast walls so there is adequate security and privacy for worshippers.
According to a story we carried yesterday, a number of churches are opposed to meeting at beerhalls as they are of the view that the beerhalls are places for the sinners. What has to be made clear is that the beerhalls are just buildings that can be used for any purpose and this includes church meetings.
Some church members said they were against worshipping in beerhalls because this meant mixing with demons but real Christians are not supposed to fear demons because we are made to believe they have powers to cast away demons. The city council should be commended for coming up with a practical solution to the problem of open- air worshipping which has many negatives.
The people who conduct prayers in the open usually do not have toilets and as such they relieve themselves in the bushes thereby putting the residents’ lives at risk of contracting diseases. This is the reason why most councils are against open air worshipping.
Bulawayo churches that decide to spurn the city council offer should not cry foul when they get arrested for worshipping in the open. The council should in fact punish severely defiant churches that opt to continue worshipping in the open when they are buildings they could use. Churches should quickly move into the beerhalls and those that feel they are not very comfortable worshipping in the beerhalls could start building their own churches while using the beerhalls.
What has to be emphasised is that worshipping in the open is against city council by-laws and now that the council has offered buildings that could be used, there is no excuse for any church to be found worshipping in the open. We want to implore the city council to descend heavily on those churches that decide to be defiant and continue worshipping in the open.
There are many churches conducting prayer meetings at schools, community halls and other such places that could take up the city council offer so those worshipping in the open should act now before it is too late. The city council by giving first preference to open air churches is trying to address a health problem that could affect innocent residents that have nothing to do with open air worshipping.
We want to once again urge churches especially those opposed to worshipping in the beerhalls to reconsider their position. Church members should be responsible citizens who should shun indulging in actions that endanger the lives of others.
Online Reporter