RELIGION, WHAT IS IT?
One can simply define religion as a sociocultural system that is based on a particular set of belief(s), ideas, and conceptions about a supernatural being, usually God.
Today, there are so many different beliefs all around the globe about the living entity, God; who he is and what he stands for. The idea of his existence is a faith-based theory as termed by non-believers, men of science. But they are not our focus for now. Let’s talk about those who believe.
Most of us believe in God almighty, the creator of heaven and earth. Nevertheless, our beliefs differ from one another and that is the issue. No two religions or religious groups have the same faith and doctrine, no matter how closely related they might seem, there must be a disagreement about something. Take Christianity for instance, There are many denominations under this religion alone and each denomination has its own doctrines to guide the affairs of its members.
These slight variations may seem insignificant but they’re actually the little sparks that have caused some of the major calamities in the world. For example, Jihad killings in Islamic countries and the centuries-old conflict between the Christian Church and the Muslim mosque. Dating back to the first Crusade which began from the year 1095 to 1291 when the Latin church initiated the war to recover Jerusalem and its surrounding area from Islamic rule, the two religions have since then been at war with one another, however subtle in recent times.
It’s suffice to say that the two most well-known religions in the globe are; Christianity and Islam. These two have done more harm than good in our society. They preach different messages about the same individual and their followers are always arguing about one thing or another. Hypocrites now hide under the umbrella of religion, condemning and judging others while they delude themselves into thinking they’re saints, free of sin, white as snow.
Religion and the inhumanity that comes with it leaves the controversy about the true purpose of coining the system which has kept many in chains. Ideally, religion is supposed to be a safe haven for lost souls, for people who have derailed from the path of righteousness or are in search of peace. Religion is supposed to end war and conflict but the reverse is the case nowadays.
THE CHURCH
Religion these days is like a plague, a cancer that has eaten deeply into the heart of Africa, it is like a disease that has brainwashed many. Ironically, it is an institution of quick money-making and acquisition of wealth and power under the name “Church”.
What is a church these days?
A gathering of sheep led by wolves. The church has now been corrupted with the ill aura of politics. It is a place, not of true worship but a place, serving as a camouflage for scammers who are experts in the art of deception. This is made possible by the desperation of fanatics who believe their religious leaders have all the answers and are never wrong. They forget that we’re all humans. Yes, some are more divinely connected than most, yes, some were truly called and are highly anointed, but they’re still humans. Putting one’s faith in a man is the cause of the increase in false prophets. Ordained or not, as a believer one’s faith should always be in God.
So many “Men of God” weren’t called to the work. They called themselves. Some churches these days are business institutions, a place you go to hear a diluted word of God.
Most preachers now don’t preach repentance because sadly, our youths don’t like to hear that. Therefore, business-minded preachers have switched to prosperity teachings to draw people, using Bible passages to back up their words. There is nothing wrong with prosperity teachings, it only becomes a problem when it’s the only message one hears every Sunday. A balance is necessary.
To understand the Bible, one needs divine inspiration. But some of our preachers today interpret the Bible canaly just because they have a degree and can speak well. They no longer yearn and hunger for the Holy Spirit as in the days of old. Now they depend on logical reasoning, forgetting that the things of God cannot be understood by human conception. It takes grace. Unfortunately, many of our preachers lack the grace, because they called themselves. Even those who were called have derailed and so have lost the grace.
It’s hard to tell when a true man of God has lost his way. Do you know why?
Because when God has given you a gift, it’s yours. Whatever you choose to do with it is entirely up to you. It’s hard to tell because said men of God will keep doing the same miracles, signs and wonders they used to do when filled with the Holy Spirit. Woe unto him for he knoweth not that the spirit has departed from him.
Fake prophets and their false teachings have misled a lot of people. Beware.
Wake up, people of God. Wake up, Africa. God despises foolishness.
These men lie to you, enslave you, mislead you, brainwash you, extort the little you have in the name of sowing seed. Sowing a seed of faith in a pastor’s life isn’t wrong. It’s only a problem when one is asked for a specific amount to give withstanding the financial capacity of the person’s pocket. Then, it can be termed as extortion. But if freely an individual decides to sow a seed of faith, then there is absolutely nothing wrong. However, that’s not the case most times.
Personally, I’ve witnessed this art of deception up close so many times and many are still falling victim.
Christians are supposed to emulate the life of Christ and preachers are supposed to be our guide as Christ was when on earth more than two thousand years ago. Believers who know their Bible, know that Christ never asked anyone for money or convinced anyone to sow a seed before administering a miracle, so why should one pay to be prayed for today?
My people perish for lack of knowledge. Truly, this statement is accurate. Foolishness and laziness is the reason false prophets get away with everything. They understand the psychology of a desperate heart so they tell people what they know they want to hear.
Sadly, religion these days controls the affairs and the lives of their masses. A Christian cannot marry a Muslim because they have different views of God, although in rare cases, the marriage works on the basis of understanding and love. Under the Christian umbrella, some denominations do not allow their members to marry outside of the church, the reason being that the other denominations are on the path to hell.
Some religious leaders tell you what to do and not to do, they tell you how to feel and even dictate your life. They go as far as choosing your life partner for you, they make decisions for you. Check it. You no longer have a say over your own life.
Many marriages are unstable today because religious leaders said a particular man wasn’t the right one for their member. Then the woman in question would end up being with the devil’s advocate just because the church said the union was the will of God. Is it God’s will for his people to suffer? No. The leaders were biased in their judgment about who was right for her and decided it was the other brother probably because the said individual was a member of the church.
Some women have decided to pay more attention and give more respect to their religious leaders than their husbands. They call them honorable names but address their husband by his name. These women spend more time in church than at home, they devote more hours trying to impress the man of God while their household falls apart. Shame on them!
Strike a balance, give honor to whom honor is due. One’s respect for their religious leaders should not be greater than that they have for their partners.
Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in Africa, producing the second-richest pastor in the world, and the world’s richest Catholic priest. But look at us. Where has our self-righteousness led us? We have more prayer warriors than we have graduates and professors. Why hasn’t God answered?
The Mosque
It is not a debatable fact that Islam has the largest number of religious extremists, who are willing to go any length to protect and defend their beliefs.
These extremists have tainted the image of the religion which has a slogan of, Islam is peace.
These days most religious wars are initiated by Islamic extremists, and most terrorist organizations are formed by them. All in the name of religion.
Even today, People, infidels as these extremists call them are being hunted down, killed, and butchered because they might have said something that was against the Islamic teaching.
In 1808 a scholar named Usman Dan Fodiyo assembled an Islamic army to wage a Jihad against the Hausa Kingdoms of northern Nigeria which resulted in the creation of the Sokoto Caliphate, a Muslim-dominated state.
Religion is a system that teaches love and peace. Why then do we live in a world where those who preach peace, instigate war?
Think about it.
Disclaimer: The reason for this article is not to in any way slander or offend any religion or religious fanatic. This is an eye-opener to the ugly truth, a sad reality many have refused to grasp or have chosen to neglect. Read with an open mind, without judgments and you’ll understand.
Article by Samuel Francis
