The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has frowned against an Easter Message from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) which it says “undermines the efforts of countless Nigerians working towards fostering mutual respect among diverse religious groups”.
The FIRS in an Easter post on social media allegedly displayed a Point of Sale (POS) machine with a caption that reads, “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes”, which drew a wide range of criticism especially among Christians.
According to a statement signed by the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh condemning the act, says the 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.
The President of the apex Christian association in the country said, the Easter period, was a time of solemn reflection and sacred observance for Christians and should not be juxtaposed with civic obligations in a manner that trivialises or mocks core religious beliefs.
“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”, the statement in part reads.
The statement explains that while the FIRS’s intent may not have been to show irreverence, the impact of the message cannot be ignored as it was imperative to note that the use of religious symbols and narratives should be handled with the highest degree of sensitivity, especially when intersecting with secular matters.
The statement further advises all public and private organisations to exercise caution and consideration for the diverse religious backgrounds of the society.
The Christian Association of Nigeria however has called upon the management of the FIRS to retract the message and offer a public apology for the distress caused.
“We also urge President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun and the Department of State Security Service (DSS) to take cognisance of this incident and to guide the FIRS in adhering to communication strategies that promote respect, unity, and cohesion”, it said in conclusion.
In 2023, the Christian Association threatened legal action over an Easter message it described as “insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable”, from FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, makers of Peak Milk, that sparked outrage among Christians in the country.
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