Misapplying the Bible is dangerous - Minority

Accra (Greater Accra) 26 Jan.2000 - An attempt by Mr Thomas Yeboah, NDC-Dormaa West, to mystify modern central government authority, was resisted by the minority, describing the move as "dangerous".

Quoting from the book of Exodus in the Christian Bible to support his view, he said all power descends from God and, therefore, anyone who insults a leader will have the wrath of God upon him.

Paapa Owusu Ankoma, NPP-Sekondi, said it is dangerous to quote and misapply the Bible. "Hitler and the Apartheid system did the same to advance their cause," he said.

Mr Yeboah was contributing to the debate on the 2000 sessional address that started in Parliament last week.

He was dwelling on the President's concern on the way people use phone-in programmes on Frequency Modulation (FM) stations to abuse people in the leadership position.

Mrs Gladys Asmah, the Deputy Minority Leader, in an attempt to join the fray amid heckling from the majority that she was challenging the Bible said, " I am not challenging the Bible but respect is reciprocal".

On Energy, Mr Yeboah called for the intensification of tree planting and the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) especially, in rural communities to reduce the pressure on the country's vegetation.

He said alternative sources of energy should be exploited to expand the energy base of the country.

Mr Joseph Darko-Mensah, NPP-Okaikoi North, said enough has not been done to ease problems facing the Ghana Armed Forces, especially in the area of accommodation.

He commended the soldiers for their discipline and appreciation of the current constitutional dispensation.

On point of order, Mr Modestus Ahiable, NDC- Ketu North, said Mr Darko Mensah is trading in sarcasm because the government has not weakened the soldiers in any way. "How would you weaken someone and expect him to guard you."

In his sessional address to parliament, the full text of which can be found on the GRi web site at { HYPERLINK http://www.ghanareview.com }www.ghanareview.com, the President said, inter alia, ??, the law enforcement agencies will act against any person or group of persons whose actions or utterances are calculated to whip up ethnic tensions or provoke conflict and ill-feeling among religious groups. We will not tolerate abuse of religious freedom nor will we tolerate irresponsibility towards others and society as a whole.?