The Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) has rebutted PAS' criticisms saying Christian missionaries had historically played an important part in nation-building, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.
SCC president Jerry Dusing was responding to PAS chief Abdul Hadi Awang's statement that Christian missionaries target the uneducated and offer money and aid to secure their conversion.
"The Christian pioneering missionaries in both Sabah and Sarawak have made huge personal sacrifices, and endured hardships.
"Their unconditional efforts have contributed to our nation-building and their works have always been transparent and centred on three major areas - the church, hospitals and schools.
"All three have proven to be successful without any reports of bribery or inducements for converting to Christianity," he said in a statement today.
Dusing said Hadi's statement was "provocative".
"Accusing Christian missionaries of using money and aid for people to convert to Christianity is grossly irresponsible as firstly, such a practice is clearly against our beliefs.
"As Christians, cheating and bribery, inducements and compulsion are not justifiable and simply, are sins," Dusing pointed out.
'Meant to incite'
"Secondly, the objective of such a statement is clearly to ignite religious sectarianism and create discord and hatred amongst our people.
"This is obviously against the spirit of unity and harmony of our people, and that of the foundation of our nation," he added.
Dusing noted that the legacy of Christian missionaries can be seen in how top government leaders had graduated from mission schools.
"Furthermore, in terms of education, our prominent leaders at various levels of society have benefited from mission schools.
"Hadi would have cared to read the profile of Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman in the official state government website, he would have noticed that our CM had attended mission schools for his primary and secondary education," said Dusing.
He emphasised that these missionaries were also instrumental in helping the Lun Bawang community in Sarawak.
Hence, Dusing urged moderate Malaysians to strive for peace and not be "filled with hatred and suspicion for one another".
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