News Brief

Christian Democrats attack opposition over Christian principles

-6/4/04

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) in South Africa has accused the Democratic Alliance of pushing policies that are "not in line with Christian principles", or at least those espoused by the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP).

The accusation follows a row between political parties over a comment made by Deputy President Jacob Zuma that the ANC would rule until Jesus returned.

During the war of words the Democratic Alliance's national chairperson Joe Seremane said the African Christian Democratic Party should not present itself as the sole custodian of the Christian faith. However, this is what the ACDP now appears to be doing.

"If committed Christians are voting for the DA (Democratic Alliance) - as their election advert currently running on Christian radio stations suggests - they are doing so because they do not know the truth about DA policies," said ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley.

In a statement, she said that as a member of parliament for the past five years, she had "witnessed first-hand in the National Assembly how the DA applies their policies, which are certainly not in line with Christian principles".

In support of her claim she suggested that the DA had backed legislation in favour of abortion, and also supported gambling, the MP said.

"The DA has also supported and defended genetically modified foods, which are a threat to food security and our economy."

The party also supported "the homosexual agenda, frequently defending special homosexual rights and calling for more measures to promote homosexuality".

Simple investigation into what the DA stood for revealed it did not support the values and principles of Christianity, Dudley said.