Fiji's prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has been criticised for ridiculing himself and belittling his status as a leader for saying the May 2000 coup was part of God's plan.
Mr Qarase made the remark in parliament on Monday night, adding that his government was in power also because of God's will.
The Fiji Times reports that churches and representatives of youth groups say Mr Qarase should not call himself a Christian if he thinks God planned the suffering, misery and killings that followed the coup.
A former Methodist Church president, the Reverend Josateki Koroi, says Mr Qarase's reference to God was blasphemous.
The Revrened Koroi says human beings are given the freedom to choose and God cannot be blamed if they choose evil.
The Labour Party, which was ousted by the coup, says Mr Qarase's statement is a true picture of the man who is the prime minister.
