While the Government is being accused by some Christian groups of "fast-tracking" the Civil Union Bill, other Christian groups and at least one MP are engaging in some fasting of their own in the hope that Jesus will intervene at Parliament to stop the legislation. The evangelical site NZPray.org.nz, established as “a regional strategy to saturate the nation in prayer”, says we need a miracle in order to stop the passage of the Civil Union Bill, “one of the most damaging pieces of legislation our nation has ever faced”. Apparently 6000-odd form letters sent to the Select Committee by evangelicals were not enough, and “Our only option is to seek the face of God for His sovereign intervention through fasting and prayer - we need a miracle...Organise rolling fasts with the groups you are involved with so that we have the entire 21 days covered,” urges the site. “Find lots of verses to declare during your times of prayer. Be open to the Holy Spirit for His promptings.” Among those fasting is United Future MP Paul Adams, who once called for AIDS patients to be quarantined. Adams' pastor Peter Mortlock and his wife say they are fasting and praying against society's ills, which include homosexuality and the Civil Union Bill. North Shore dietician Caryn Zinn warns Adams' plan could damage his health. She says it's unsafe because a fast of 21 days could result in major energy loss and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. With fasting often also associated with hallucinations, it's also possible that Adams' plan could cause him to accidentally walk through the “ayes” door by mistake when it comes time to vote on the Civil Union Bill in two weeks time. "I knew Mr Adams was familiar with 'fast' but I thought that was just what he did in his Subaru," Associate Justice Minister David Benson-Pope told GayNZ.com. "I could never profess to be a scholar of theology, but I was always taught that the God that Mr Adams and the good pastor are praying to is a God of love and inclusion, and a God that finds discrimination abhorrent."
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 25th November 2004 - 12:00pm