The Bible Society of Uganda has condemned “in the strongest terms” the recent destruction of Bibles by Ugandan pastor, Aloysius Bugingo who claimed that some versions of the Christian faith book were misleading.
Bugingo, the lead pastor of the House of Prayer Ministries in Kampala, allegedly ordered his congregation to set ablaze, particular copies of Bibles on grounds that they were heavily edited and deceptive. The holy books, which included Good News and King James versions of the Bible, were reportedly burnt on Easter Monday.
The Good News Bible is an English translation by the American Bible Society. It was first published as the New Testament under the name “Good News for Modern Man” in 1966. The King James Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England. Its translation begun in 1604 and was completed in 1611.
Bugingo reportedly told his congregation that The King James Version and Good News versions of the Bible had been tampered with, and some verses omitted. He pointed out that lines in the version of the Bible that male reference to fasting in lent were erased and that the word ‘Holy Ghost’ is used in the Bible 99 times replacing the word ‘Holy Spirit’ which appears only seven times.
Bible Society of Uganda general secretary Simon Peter Mukhama told URN on the sidelines of the society’s annual general assembly in Kampala on Friday that they are saddened by the incident.
“When you hear news that somebody has burnt bibles, it is like a funeral. We have felt so bad. Our members today have a very strong stance of saying such a habit must be stopped immediately. The person who did it must be brought to book immediately”, Mukhama said.
He added that they are collecting evidence to institute a legal challenge against pastor Bugingo for insulting Christianity. The Bible Society made reference to section 122 of the Penal Code Act which prohibits actions that wound religious feelings. Mukhama urged people who witnessed the incident to give them information or report to police.
“The assembly today [Friday] has said in very strong terms that once there’s evidence, once there’s proof, this is something that must be taken to the courts of law. That’s number one. Number two we don’t have to sit and wait but we can work with the police if there is clear evidence provided”
He also argued that if Bugingo doesn’t like some Bible versions, he should send them back to authors instead of setting them ablaze.
“If someone likes King James Version and you burn it, that is an offence but also if you don’t like the book, take it back to the owner. You don’t burn it. The act of burning is evil,” he said.
The Bible Society is also requesting government to put in place a law that declares Bible Society as the only organization mandated to sell Bibles.
Apostle Charles Tumwiine of New Life Harvest Church International and Ebenezer World Outreach Ministry told URN that nobody has power to declare that some versions of the Bible ‘wrong’ or ‘unfit’ to read because the “word of God is older than everyone.”
Apostle Tumwine stated that pastor Bugingo is a danger that he can commit more sinister actions if not checked.”
The Bible society is also particularly worried that donors will stop subsiding the price of Bibles, arguing that Christians only pay about 20 percent of the total price of the Bible, with donors footing the rest.