Religion: A look at teachings, practices prohibited in Rwanda

The new guidelines by Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) list prohibited preaching practices that are against Rwandan values or are intended to exploit and mislead the people. ALSO READ: Ten things to know about the new directive on holding religious public gatherings RGB pointed out that the purpose of the guidelines is to promote responsible religious preaching in Rwanda and prevent messages or practices that could undermine Rwandan values, national unity, and social harmony. Their rationale the guidelines is to align with Rwanda’s constitution and national laws, especially the 2018 law governing the organisation and functioning of faith-based organisations (FBOs), while proactively preventing the dissemination of messages that could foster divisionism, hatred, or undermine Rwanda’s shared values. ALSO READ: What do new guidelines say about foreign preachers in Rwanda? Prohibited teachings and practices FBOs and religious preachers are prohibited from eight teachings and practices that undermine Rwandan values, social cohesion as well as safety and security. There are the following: 1. Promoting divisionism, genocide ideology, or any form of discrimination, including ethnic, gender, religious, regional. 2. Undermining national unity and peacebuilding 3. Inciting and being involved in acts of violence 4. Undermining Rwandan culture, language, or the principles of mutual respect and dignity 5. Engaging in unethical behaviour while preaching, like, promotion of “cult of personalities” – a situation where a religious leader is excessively praised, glorified, or idolised, often beyond reason or fact), including unjustified titles. 6. Delivering misleading teachings, false or end-time prophecies and miracles Speaking at a press briefing on the new guidelines on Friday, June 20, Judith Kazaire, the Head of the Civil Society and Political Organisations Department at RGB, said false teaching and miracles as well as doomsday prophecies “are prohibited because they mislead Rwandans in various ways.” 7. Engaging in exploitative financial practices “Using money collection means that deceive or exploit followers, such as threatening them that they will be affected in one way or another if they do not offer money, is forbidden,” Kazaire said. 8. Organising religious events without ensuring the safety and security of the congregation. As per the guidelines, any other inconsistent practices and messages in religious teachings are prohibited. ALSO READ: Closure of non-compliant faith-based organisations: What are the essential requirements? Code of conduct for preachers To ensure compliance, the guidelines provide that all religious institutions must adopt a code of conduct that prohibits hate speech, false prophecies, and discriminatory language and practices; disrespectful language, unethical manifestations; and any conduct not aligned with the values of the respective FBOs. By establishing clear standards, training requirements, and accountability mechanisms, officials said, the new guidelines seek to foster an environment where religious expression contributes to peace, development, and a resilient national identity.

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Religion: A look at teachings, practices prohibited in Rwanda