Few weeks ago, a video surfaced on the internet. Apparently, it was a sex tape of a Nigerian pastor. People searched for it as if they were on Pornhub. How does it feel to watch a pastor having sex? I thought, then I joined the search.
I found it! I found the video of pastor Chris Omatsola (I wonder why they all bear that name though) lying on his back while Princess, his fiancee pounds on him. It was interesting to watch, but shameful to imagine.
There should be memes for this, I thought. A sound track accompanied by a beat probably produced by Don Jazzy. Then we can title the sound track “Chrismoan”
Now despite the video of a shameful and illicit act by a supposed man of God making the rounds, many Nigerians still went on to say only God can judge him. This statement is not uncommon amongst Nigerian Christians each time they need to support their own after a terrible act.
We need to start judging people of questionable characters before they mount a holy altar. We must learn to punish people for their misdemeanor, and that, seem to be the only way to hold them accountable, especially people who hold highly esteemed offices.
Imagine if there were no court of law and offenders like murderers had to wait on God’s judgment; there would be chaos in the world. The law of the land is the law of God.
Today, our reasoning is far below average. We don’t proffer logical solutions to problems anymore. A supposed solution to a nagging problem has some sort of religious colouration or undertone. And the reason is not far fetched.
The country was introduced to Christianity by orthodoxy in the late eighteenth century. The likes of Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist etc. had their teachings entirely based on stipulated traditions. Worshippers were taught not to question traditions but to adhere to the rules and regulations upon which these churches were built. Hence, an attempt to think or act outside this jurisdiction is often considered a defiance.
With this, early churches breed blind followership as we have it today – people who have no right to question their faith.
Then fast forward to the 80s, the advent of prosperity ministries in Nigeria. It’s a movement known as Pentecostal. Of course it costs a lot to run such ministries.
Some ‘woke’ guys who couldn’t put up with the slave traditions of orthodox churches decided to pull out in order to seek freedom. Yes, they wanted freedom for all – women can put on trousers and preach from the altar. It’s the New Testament church with no restrictions or prejudices.
People felt free to worship and when they err, grace abound. And grace has become a privilege for pastors to commit heinous acts in the name of the Lord. Therefore, the Pentecostal movement breeds shallow followership without adequate or in depth biblical knowledge.
Now when these two collide, we have a profile of an average Nigerian Christian.
The mix of orthodoxy and Pentecostal is the reason we have Christians who are too blind to see the faults of their leaders, and too shallow to comprehend deeper things. It’s the reason for religious mess in Nigeria.
So when it comes to religion in this part of the world, nothing surprises me anymore. I don’t even write to convince my readers anymore. I’m tired. I’m tired of the religious idiocy constantly exhibited by Nigerians. I’m tired of people making excuses for corrupt clerics even when caught in the act. I’m tired of folks who have chosen to be in perpetual darkness, yet ask others to see the light. And I’m tired of you, blind defenders of pastors who engage in atrocities.
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