In a pre-emptive maneuver against religious conflict, particularly between Christians and Buddhists, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has issued a wide-ranging directive prohibiting proselytizing and the dissemination of religious propaganda in public.
The directive prohibits Christian groups from knocking on people’s doors or uttering the words “the Lord is coming” in public.
Places of worship must now be located at least 2 km from each other, the Jan 14 directive says.
“All public proselytizing activities are prohibited. Christians are not allowed to proselytize citizens’ houses by knocking on doors or waiting for them, saying, ‘the Lord is coming,’ which is an interruption of daily life or may intrude on privacy in the community,” a translation of the directive states.
“Teaching of religions must respect other religions and avoid insulting and degrading each other, especially Buddhism, the state religion. Avoid all problems which may provoke religious conflict,” the directive says.
Some Christian sects have been accused by Cambodians of “looking down” on other religions, Chea Savoeun said, and people in Phnom Penh are being disturbed at home by Christians.
“Some Christian groups, who cycle bicycles…go door to door and disturb people by banging on their door and suggesting to people to join their sect,” said Chea Savoeun.
He also accused some Christian radio stations of insulting other religions. He said the directive will prevent religious conflicts from erupting in the future.
A member of a Christian group said Thursday his church would adopt a wait-and-see approach to the directive and how it is enforced. Lawyers would also inspect the directive, he said.
However, particularly questionable was the 2-km proximity rule between places of worship which would imply that established places of worship must move location.
And the directive implies that the rule applies to Buddhist pagodas also, he said.
