avatarAkumbe

Summary

The text critically examines the proliferation of churches and their increasing wealth and influence in society, questioning the ethicality and social impact of church leaders' opulence amidst widespread poverty and government corruption in Africa.

Abstract

The author reflects on the evolution of church practices from childhood memories of simple services to the present-day extravagance of mega-churches and celebrity pastors. The narrative contrasts the spiritual and community roles of churches with the accumulation of wealth by religious leaders, who flaunt luxury assets like private jets and mansions. It raises concerns about the misalignment between the teachings of Christianity and the actions of some church leaders, particularly in the context of Africa's socio-economic challenges. The article questions the morality of church-led wealth accumulation when it is not matched by community development or support for the poor. It also critiques the relationship between religion and politics, suggesting that some religious leaders are complicit in government corruption and mismanagement, which perpetuates a cycle of poverty and dependence on foreign aid.

Opinions

  • The author distinguishes between genuine Christian practice and the commercialization of religion by some church leaders.
  • There is skepticism about the social value of churches that amass wealth without contributing to community improvement or poverty alleviation.
  • The text implies that some religious leaders have become part of the corrupt political system, benefiting from government funds and engaging in money laundering.
  • The article suggests that the wealth of some churches and pastors is incongruous with the economic struggles of their congregations and the broader society.
  • It criticizes the use of religion as a tool for personal enrichment rather than a means to serve God and the community.
  • The author argues that foreign aid to Africa is often misused by leaders, both political and religious, and does not reach those in need.
  • The narrative expresses frustration with the lack of accountability and transparency among church leaders and politicians, which contributes to the continent's underdevelopment.
  • There is a call for Africans to utilize their own resources and for foreign governments to stop enabling corruption through aid that does not lead to genuine development.

Unveiling the Intricacies of Church and Politics

Photo by Temitayo Aina on Unsplash

During my childhood, going to church every Sunday was a regular occurrence. Subsequently, other denominations began to emerge. Their songs were great, and they were known for being prayer warriors. Those churches’ choir members had exceptional singing abilities, which made the music so beautiful. The few times I attended some, the singers were exceptional. Moreover, a few became so popular that they had TV stations. If your mom and aunt skipped church, you could witness them touching the screen during the preacher’s instruction.

As I became an adult, I began to ask myself questions. What is the rationale for having such numerous churches? The poor pastor has suddenly acquired five or seven cars and a gigantic mansion. The average person now attends church three times a week. I had no answers, but I had lots of questions.

Remember, I am talking about churches, not Christianity. The happiness on people’s faces when I saw them leave the church. We stood around the ice cream, waiting for our mums to purchase it as they chatted with friends outside after church.

At the time, we had a Baptist church, presbyterian church, the catholic church, and the Jehovah's Witness church in our neighborhoods. Then around that same time, I saw a few other churches that were there but weren’t prominent. Also, we had the seven-day Adventist who walked barefooted, which was scary to some and they even called it a cult. In fact, I don't even want to care why they did what they did. At this stage, there was so much going on I didn't even care to get them involved because that would confuse a lot of stuff.

Most of these churches had their sermons on Sunday mornings and that was it. There was nothing in between but as the other churches began to move in some of these prominent churches began to organize prayer days or little weekly sermons. And then we began to see a lot of churches come in. The were some on cable TV every morning before 6 am. They conducted morning sermons and prayers. Then began the casting out of demons, bad luck, disease, the blessing of wealth, and so on.

At this point, most families were already going to church at least 3 times per week and at least two churches a week. There is the church they would go to for the prayer of protection and success and the other, which was the prominent church for praise and sermons.

The Pentecostal churches, as they were referred to, became famous. Some worshippers now will prostitute from church to church based on their predicament. Many were looking for breakthroughs, some were sick, and some were looking for “living churches” where they could worship. “Living churches” was the name they were commonly cited by at the time. This was the little I could recall as far as experience goes.

Later came the millionaire or billionaire evangelists or prophets. They owned private jets and houses everywhere and anywhere money could buy, and what was peculiar was that nothing had changed. There were no more job opportunities than there were before, and there were no better roads than they were before. I don’t personally know if they pay taxes as corporate organizations. Why did I think of this? It’s because they made so much money I started asking myself if they could at least bring the change they preach or at least share in developing the communities they were residing in since the government wasn’t offering any help to the people. If I may add, not literally, but find a way to improve the lives of the less fortunate, since that is what they preach.

I remember a book I read in high school, “Chaucer — The Canterbury Tales”. The monk was fat from overeating and the nun would go buy food to give her dog while there were beggars on the street. I cannot faithfully remember the exact words. I guess what I am trying to say is that a society where religious leaders are well-fed and the masses are hungry does not do justice to religion. Chaucer was trying to emphasize these ills of the church in his time not knowing we have that till today and more.

Photo by author (Akwa Ibom International Christian Worship Center)

Think of this, there is a church in Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria called the International Christian Worship Center (ICWC). They just finished building a church worth ₦32 billion. That is about $35 million. Nigeria and most African governments have taken loans from every monetary organization and recently china became the new donor. Shouldn’t it raise concerns about the government and its relationship with individuals if there are individuals or churches with such wealth in Nigeria, on a continent considered the poorest on earth? If not, this government won’t go out disgracing the continent, they will just find a way to take loans from their banks. Grow their economy and stop indebting the citizens. It is rather unfortunate that these church prophets are billionaires and yet, anyone would think Africa is poor. It’s disturbing that even though most state governments are aware of this, they still borrow money and engage in money laundering, depositing over a trillion dollars into offshore accounts.

After my research, the church was said to have been built by the government of Akwa Ibom. The governor of the state is said to be a politician and a clergy. He is called Umo Eno. This infrastructure was commenced by the formal governor and now Eno is the inheritor. When he asked how he would fund the project, he replied as most clergies do nowadays, Akwa Ibom has favor in the eyes of God. How would citizens be searching for jobs and the government is building a church worth billions? How does that help anyone? Won’t it be better if they built a factory or a dam to generate electricity or put that money into housing and infrastructure?

Furthermore, the way people worship is not the problem, but thinking some pastor who lives off your money and becomes a “money miss road” will bring any change to your impoverished life instead of going out to work is. In secondary school, I had a teacher who reminded us that studying is crucial for exam performance, regardless of how we pray.

Pastors keep issuing miracles like bank cheques left and right. Heavenly promises, while acquiring properties for themselves and for generations to come on earth. Is that not madness?

In my country, three-quarters of the graduates write “Concours” as we call them in Cameroon. That’s competitive government exams. Despite thousands of graduates and post-graduates taking the competitive exam, the government only requires a few administrators, judges, and other positions. “I’m hoping today is the day my life finally turns around.” The amusing part is their lack of understanding regarding the responsibilities of a civil servant, which is why we find ourselves in this predicament. The idea is to continue the cycle of theft. Meanwhile, their mothers are praying in church for them to pass the government exams. What a funny world! A society where the private sector crumbles and becomes beggars. Private businesses are supposed to be one of the propellers of society. Making billionaires and trillionaires should be something we strive for, but civil servants are billionaires and church elders at the same time. What a confusing world we live in.

Another case was an evangelist, prophet, or pastor who was talking about buying another private jet during the coronavirus period while there were members in his congregation who had to walk home after church service that blessed day. Someone would say that’s not his fault. My question to that kind of person is, what does the Bible or the Quran or any of these religions teach about sharing when you have abundance? Especially when most of them claim to be anointed by God to do his work, and now they own the most expensive worldly products. The question now is, is it to serve God or amass wealth?

“This is my third private jet …” apart from being a man of God or whatever. Why do we indulge in things that don’t benefit us personally or anyone around us? Let me say something we usually say around my place “Are you sure everyone in your family can have three square meals a day? If not stop nonsense. abeg! No be competition!”

I urge my brothers on the other side to cease letting their government lend taxpayers’ money to any African nation. The African continent only has three problems: mismanagement, corrupt leadership, and a lot of laissez-faire. The continent of Africa has trillions buried beneath its surface. We do nothing about it, and we do nothing to protect our people either from outside or from within. How do we expect respect anywhere? Use some of your money to better your own countries, because some of us know not all that glitters is gold. In their suit-wearing guises, these men are sucking dry the entire system and cannot leave it to younger people to bring better ideas, so many people will commit atrocities in the name of religion and go free until there is genuine change.

Let’s hope a layperson will understand where I am coming from. So ask yourself some questions. Since you were born, you have heard about aids being sent to Africa, and till today, there has been no change. Instead, more Africans are dying in the Mediterranean Sea and traveling to Europe to find greener pastures for themselves and their families left behind. Where has the money gone? Are your leaders and mine in bed? Are they purposely putting us against each other with the help of the church? Cease offering aid! They are scamming you and me. It renders Africans stupid because how would I explain to someone that the wars fought here in Africa sometimes are just squabbles between friends in politics for political positions and acquisitions? And then the entire country is in shambles and comes “help us, help us” not from the people needing help but from the leaders themselves. Then your tax money is used to buy private jets and expensive cars and you think you helped me? No, you didn’t. I didn’t see it.

Remember what I said before and think about the example I am about to give. A friend and his wife request help to pay for hospital bills for their child, and the next day you discover that his wife just purchased a Lamborghini. What comes to mind? No matter what direction you take, you are right. When the citizens of a country have almost the same amount of money, they come to you for assistance when you know they could use the resources within to solve any problems they may have. How does that make anyone feel?

To sum up, we know the definition of a church, right? As such, anyone using the name of a church who does anything inconsistent with what it is or at least follows the word of God, the first constitution of the church, is not a church but a private NGO that launders money and participates in politics secretly for its benefit. Thereby considered a scam.

Religion
Church
Church Leadership
Church And State
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