*Insists highest sensitivity must apply in use of religious symbols, narratives
*Says message not only threaten national unity but undermine religious respect
The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) has demanded a public apology from the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) over a controversial Easter message that sparked outcry.
The Association said It
recognises that the intended message may have been to creatively engage taxpayers, however, the execution has regrettably crossed the bounds of cultural and religious decorum.
While the FIRS’s intent may not have been to show irreverence, the impact of the message cannot be ignored.
“It is imperative to remember that the use of religious symbols and narratives should be handled with the highest degree of sensitivity, especially when intersecting with secular matter.
A statement issued on Tuesday by National Director, National Issues and Social Welfare of the Association, Rev. Abimbola Ayuba, said “as a nation that prides itself on religious harmony and peaceful coexistence, it should be deeply concerned by the recurrence of provocative messages around religious holidays”.
The statement reads: “This year, a public institution, which should be the bastion of exemplary conduct, has been implicated in disseminating content that is widely regarded as offensive and derogatory to the Christian faith.
“Such messages not only threaten the delicate fabric of our national unity but also undermine the efforts of countless Nigerians working towards fostering mutual respect among diverse religious groups.
“It has come to our attention that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has released an Easter message that has sparked significant public outcry amongst Christians.
“It is with a profound sense of duty to national unity and respect for religious sentiments that we address the controversial statement ‘Jesus paid your debt, not your taxes”‘ circulated by the FIRS.
“The Easter period, a time of solemn reflection and sacred observance for Christians, should not be juxtaposed with civic obligations in a manner that trivializes or mocks core religious beliefs.
“Religious convictions are at the heart of our identity and deserve the utmost respect.
“The analogy drawn by the FIRS between the pivotal Christian doctrine of redemption and the civic duty of tax payment has been received with distress and indignation by the Christian community.
“We call upon the management of the FIRS to retract the message and offer a public apology for the distress caused”.
