There are atheists across the globe, some of whom do not want to have anything to do with the name, God. However, Kenyan atheists seem to be taking their atheism to a whole different level as they are reportedly piling pressure on the government to amend the constitution in order to eliminate the name of God from it completely.
The atheists, according to reports are calling for amendment of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya that expunges any reference to God. They insist that a referendum must be held to amend the constitution before the 2022 General Elections.
In a press statement November 6, AIK president Harrison Mumia pointed out a number of clauses the group wanted to be expunged from the 2010 Constitution.
Part of a statement apparently addressed to the government of Kenya reads: “We would like to make it clear to the public that we shall be pushing for the following amendments to the Constitution of Kenya 2010: First. That the preamble which states: We, the people of Kenya acknowledging the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation: be expunged.”
The atheists proposed for removal of the words God and Allah arguing the use of these two terms categorised Kenyans were either Christians or Muslims.
“Firstly, the preamble which states “We, the people of Kenya acknowledging the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation” be expunged. As atheists, we do not acknowledge the supremacy of God, neither do we recognise the existence of God. The Constitution must not assume that all Kenyans believe in a Supreme Being,” the atheists proposed.
The unbelievers are specifically unhappy with the Article 170 on Kadhi Courts which they claim assumes wrongly that every Kenyan believes in a Supreme Being of God.
Secondly, the non-believers proposed that Article 170 on Kadhi Courts be removed“We would like a Constitution that is truly secular. We would want equal treatment of all religions by the state. That the words so help me God be expunged from all the oaths of affirmation under the third schedule,” the statement stressed.
The atheists also want Article 8 which states “There shall be no state religion” be replaced with “Parliament shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion”.