The Hypocrisy of Men of Gold- Israel M.A

 

 Some years ago, in a survey by a UK based magazine, Nigerians were adjudged to be the happiest people on earth. Of all the 65 countries covered, it was found that a greater number of happy people lived in Nigeria. Are we really happy? Or are we just too scared to fight for our rights, question the norms and challenge the beliefs we were taught never to contest?

As if that was not enough, less than a year later, the BBC conducted its own poll and claimed, we, Nigerians are the most religious people. Though I consider this poll less credible, only ten countries were surveyed, it never the less made the headlines. I've no interest in the criteria used in these surveys, so I'm not going to question it.
The subject of religion is a very delicate one. It is also very sensitive and volatile. That religion has directly or subtly caused the death of a greater number of people in Nigeria, as compared to even deadly diseases is a fact that cannot be successfully contested. But that is a topic for another day.
Two days ago, I stumbled on a news story with this caption: “Deeper life members furious at Kumuyi's un-deeper-litic wedding”. Initially, I planned not to comment on this topic. Firstly, because religion is like a time bomb; some Nigerians can kill because of it. I'm not ready to die now. Secondly, pastor Kumuyi is a man i have utmost respest for. He's a man that is so different from today's modern pastors. He's so upright; you cannot find a stain on him. These of course cannot be said of other pastors. But this story, this story that is making the headlines on online newspapers, on blogs, this story that has flooded my timeline is no doubt a stain. Trust me, this story has not petered away my respect for this man, it cannot ebb my love for him. But it's not about me; it's about the millions of naive and gullible youths that storm various blogs and forums daily.
So, this article is not about this man, this pastor that is morally, ethically and spiritually upright. It's about the hypocritical members that have refused to live their lives, members that cannot differentiate between morality and modernity. It's also about men of God that have chosen to remain ungodly. It's about Nigerians, gullible Nigerians that, out of fear, allowed themselves to fall victims of a religious conspiracy. A conspiracy intended to further impoverish them, and make their religious leaders grow fat off their sweat.
The heat directed towards pastor Kumuyi is uncalled for. It should in fact be directed to the members. The truth is, Nigerian Christians are naturally inclined to live the life of their religious leaders. If a pastor Jerry coils or fries his head, the members will follow, like a zombie. Have you noticed that most deeper life pastors speak like Pastor Kumuyi? What about Christ embassy's pastors, don't they fry their hair like Pastor Chris? You will agree with me that the problem rests with the members; they have no mind of their own.
I understand that churches do have their different doctrines, these, in most cases they try to back with their own interpretation of the Scripture. If indeed, it's against the deeper life's doctrine to wear make-up, or wear a fitted gown during wedding, then it's morally and ethically wrong to bend the rules for pastor Kumuyi's child. It only goes to prove right the popular line in the novel, Animal farm that all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. Or could it be that, this aspect of the doctrine has been relaxed but members chose to stay with the old order?
This incident has exposed our hypocrisy. I call it, the hypocrisy of religion. We boost of the biggest religious houses, the richest religious leaders, and also have the largest legion of starving citizens. Have you wondered why our religious leaders, just like politicians move about in company of heavily armed security men? It's simple! They are scared, but why?
In a country where over 70% of citizens are abjectly poor, a pastor owns three private jets. I can understand even the Pope cannot boost of a single private jet; he travels on chartered aircraft. A private jet costs as much as $30m, that's about #4.8bn naira. Wow!
Most of our pastors have turned our places of worship to business centers. They implore us to pay our offerings and tithes, but they set up profit making businesses in the name of the church to avoid paying taxes. They set up universities that are beyond the reach of most honest and hard working parents. How many honest, incorruptible Nigerians can afford to pay #500,000 as tuition for a single child? They use the money of the poor to build schools for the rich. They encourage us to give cheerfully, to love our neighbors, but they love their pockets more. They asked us to pray for our leaders while they dine with politicians. I have stopped contributing to my pastor's private jet project. The indigent need it more.
This hypocrisy of men of gold has not only made us slaves to religion but also made men gods.

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