{Rwanda has more than 1500 registered religious organizations with many operating without proper licensing. Between 1962 until 2012 only 182 religious organization confessions had been registered. Most of the registered religious organisations are deeply rooted on beliefs about the word of God. Rwanda Governance Board which is in charge of registering nongovernmental institutions and faith-based organizations has been alarmed by some religious organisations with extra ordinary beliefs requesting to be registered.}
In an interview IGIHE held with Director of Political Parties and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) Unit in RGB, Aime Barihuta Haba, said that two faith-based organizations claimed that their faith is led by satanic powers and requested certification to operate in Rwanda.
Talking about how they discovered that the two organizations are led by satanic power, he said; “We require a mission statement as we register organizations. We have realized that their laws grant them to work closely with terrestrial powers, which they have not denied.”
He explained that such faith-based organizations are far different from traditional ones with complete confession of submission to the devil.
Rwanda’s policy allows freedom of expression including the right to pray. Freedom of expression, conscience in choosing a religious confession, praying and demonstrating beliefs before the public are protected by the law as apparent in the constitution.
{{Can these churches be allowed? }}
The Rwandan constitution has a clause indicating that Rwandans believe in God. This is reflected in taking an oath with a call on God’s health.
The question then arises whether devil worshipping should be allowed in Rwanda.
Aime Barihuta Haba says that there should be no worries since Rwandan laws provide liberty.
“How can they be refused? Everyone has a right to pray the way he/she wants. A person identifies something or particular acts as satanic depending on own beliefs,” he said.
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