CAN Moves To Stop Debate On Jesus

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, is currently moving to stop the proposed debate between Christians and Muslims in Lagos State, South West Nigeria, on whether Jesus Christ was actually crucified.

CAN fears that such a debate might spark off religious crisis in Lagos and called on the Lagos State Government to stop such a debate scheduled to hold at the Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Ikeja on 2 July, 2011.

The debate is being organised by the Presiding Evangelist/Founder of Love A Muslim Ministry, Evangelist Isang Udo-Akagha and is proposing to gather over 500 Christian and Muslim youths for the debate on the topic: “Was Jesus Truly Crucified?”

CAN Chairman, Ikeja Branch, Bishop Theophilus Ajose said such a debate could spark off crisis between Christians and Muslims and that it should not be allowed to hold.

Ajose, in a statement emphasised that it was only when people of different religions were at peace with one another that meaningful development could take place in the polity.

Ajose called on all Christians to shun the debate, saying that CAN’s urgent interference to prevent such meeting became necessary so as to avert Muslim/Christian faceoff, especially now that the country was experiencing upheavals as a result of bomb blasts and religious acrimony.

“Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and pillar of Christianity and, as such, is not debatable,” he said. However, the organiser of the proposed debate, Udo-Akagha, remains adamant and said in his letter to Ajose: “let me whisper to you that it is easier to kill me than stop my God-given ministry of debate evangelism.”

While insisting that the planned debate would not cause any religious upheaval, Udo-Akagha said that “the debate is targeted at educating only the youths.”

—Kazeem Ugbodaga