Touchaheart reports that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has raised concerns and demanded a public apology from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) following the release of a controversial notice during the Easter celebrations.
The FIRS shared a photo of a Point of Sale machine with the caption, “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes,” during the Easter festivities. However, the photo, which has since been deleted, sparked condemnation from members of the Christian community.
In response, CAN’s National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, called on President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, and the Department of State Services to take note of the incident and ensure that FIRS adheres to communication messages that promote unity and peace.
Ayuba stated, “In the light of recent events, we call upon the management of the FIRS to retract the message and offer a public apology for the distress caused.” He further urged relevant authorities to guide FIRS in employing communication strategies that foster respect, unity, and cohesion.
Expressing concern over the recurrence of provocative messages during religious holidays, Ayuba emphasized the need for public institutions to uphold exemplary conduct. He highlighted the inappropriateness of juxtaposing sacred religious observances, such as Easter, with civic obligations in a manner that trivializes or mocks core religious beliefs.
CAN stressed that the analogy drawn by FIRS between the Christian doctrine of redemption and the civic duty of tax payment was offensive to the Christian faith. They emphasized that religious convictions are integral to identity and deserve utmost respect.
The organization emphasized that the Easter period, marked by solemn reflection and sacred observance for Christians, should not be trivialized or mocked. They underscored the importance of respecting religious beliefs and avoiding actions that could cause distress or indignation within religious communities.
The statement read;
“In the light of recent events, we call upon the management of the FIRS to retract the message and offer a public apology for the distress caused.
“We also urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Department of State Services to take cognisance of this incident and to guide the FIRS in adhering to communication strategies that promote respect, unity, and cohesion.
“As a nation that prides itself on religious harmony and peaceful coexistence, we are deeply concerned by the recurrence of provocative messages around religious holidays. This year, a public institution, which should be the bastion of exemplary conduct, has been implicated in disseminating content that is widely regarded as offensive and derogatory to the Christian faith.
“The Easter period, a time of solemn reflection and sacred observance for Christians, should not be juxtaposed with civic obligations in a manner that trivialises or mocks core religious beliefs. Religious convictions are at the heart of our identity and deserve the utmost respect.
“The analogy drawn by the FIRS between the pivotal Christian doctrine of redemption, and the civic duty of tax payment has been received with distress and indignation by the Christian community.”
