Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said yesterday Prime Minister Perry Christie and Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis have set a "dangerous precedent" with their recent "attack" on the religious community.
Minnis said Christie and Davis' comments, besides being "completely wrong", set a poor example for Bahamians.
He said their comments could also encourage disrespect toward religious leaders in The Bahamas.
Minnis was referring to Christie's statement to The Nassau Guardian last Thursday that no religious leader in the world can give him a "passport to heaven".
Christie said whether or not people believe he is doing the right thing in regulating the web shop industry, it is not a "sinful action".
Meanwhile, in the House of Assembly, Davis charged that the Bahamas Christian Council previously turned a "blind eye" to web shop activities.
Davis questioned if members of that religious group are concerned about whether gambling proceeds make it into their collection plates.
He also questioned if some pastors have gambling accounts.
Christie and Davis were responding to several pastors who condemned the government's decision to ignore the results of the 2013 gambling referendum.
"I think it is an insult to the Christian community and it is an insult to our pastors", said Minnis outside the House of Assembly on Monday.
"There are certain basic things you must remember. The pastors and the preachers are God's earthly representatives.
"The churches are God's earthly temples. When you attack God's earthly representatives that is a direct attack on God.
"This is a Christian nation. How can a Christian nation have its leaders attacking God? That does not say much.
"And once our leaders start to fall like that it ricochets throughout society and society loses respect for our Christian community, who are God's representatives, and lose respect for God."
Minnis said Christie and Davis' comments prove that they have no "moral authority" to lead The Bahamas.
Pastors Cedric Moss, of Kingdom Life Church, and Lyall Bethel, of Grace Community Church, made a similar point in a statement on Monday.
The pastors said the attempts of Christie and Davis to "vilify" men of God are ultimately attacks on God.
They also said Christie should stick to his word and the wishes of the Bahamian people expressed in the gambling referendum, rather than reward the web shop owners for their illegal activity.
A majority of people who voted, voted against the regularization and taxation of web shops and the establishment of a national lottery.
MPs on Monday passed the Gaming Bill, which will regulate web shops.

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