Is religion our problem?
My dearest brothers and sisters in this great nation, permit me to correct the ills being perceived about religion in this country. There has not been a day I tuned to listen into radio stations or watch television stations news and won't see or hear the word "religion* in/on the headline. If all really believe in the 'creator' then there wouldn't be religion crisis the least. I stand to argue that what we practice today is but a deceit against our own conscience. I look at people pitifully when I see them dressed in their best attires on Fridays and Sundays going to mosque and church respectively. And I wonder if they are worshipping their ego or God.
I will like to come out frank and expose the dubious imams and pastors who are nothing but opposite of what they preach in reality. Somebody might rebuke me for throwing such a jibe without the least respect, I don't mind! Nigeria has the highest number of worship places(mosque and church) in the world yet we are ranked as one the top most corrupt people of the world. Why can't we ask ourselves 'why'? This is simply because our religion leaders have failed to perform their purpose, they are but just a replica of the thieves in our government houses stealing our resources cleverly under the facade of religion. And we have been so gullible that we don't listen to our own intellect. It is only in Nigeria you will see someone who earn below #30,000 monthly paying money into the church account and a pastor who can afford a pair of shoe worth #75,000 will go home with it. This is the country where you will see a woman selling pure water paying money for prayers at 'tahajud' night only for these imams who drive in expensive cars to share. And they will justify it by saying it's 'tithe or Sadaqah', Nigeria is truly in pain! Funny enough is that these pastors and imams will build schools from the proceedings of the money contributed by the poor people to the church and mosque only for their children to be deprived to enjoy from the privilege. RCCG, LFC, IMA, NASFAT foundations are evidences, they are with no doubt one of the most costly schools to afford in this country. Yet they are built in the name of God and from the contributions to God.
This message is for every Nigerian to be open minded and listen to the truth to make a change. We can't continue to live under the deceits of these sect of people and expect any change. There are lot of faithful Christian and Muslim Nigerians dieing in hospitals because they can't afford bills. They are thousands of Nigerian kids on the street, under bridges selling all sort of things, and some doing conductor, all of which can hardly make them live happily the way they should, yet we have our religion leaders preaching morality on Fridays and Sundays but not practising it. The effect is that, this lifestyle is not only killing the potentials of these kids but in the same vein stabbing the future of Nigeria. This in the sense that they won't be able to attain their rightful capabilities since there is little or no education at all. Consequently, they will end up as tools in the hands of politicians and/or terrorists. Unfortunately at our expense, the children of these religion leaders are in the foundations of mosques and churches enjoying the full right of what their father's had little or no contribution to only to graduate and conquer the poor ones who grew up under bridges.
Another obvious atrocity which we pay no interest to is how these pastors and imams influence us to the dictate of their political affiliation. Is funny how the sect of people who are meant to correct ills in our environment and speak the truth always shake hand warmly and smile on TV screen with those politicians ferrying away with our nation's resources. Why do we love fallacies and disregard the truth?
I don't find any greater sadness on social media than when I see Nigerians writing against one another in the name of religion. Until our church in cleansed and our mosques purged of religion bandits, there shall be no end to diversity and wars of religion. It's high time we realised who we are worshipping, whether it's God or these self acclaimed men of God. Until church and mosque goes back to what Jesus and Muhammad preached, there won't be peace. The truth is bitter and sometimes harsh to the ear but it's better to say it. Until we direct the gifts and money we give to our pastors and imams to the less privileged, Nigeria won't move forward. If we don't stop donating into church/mosque account and sponsor an orphan, this country won't witness greatness. And if we continue to avoid those living in the swamps as despondents while feeding the big stomachs, there won't be positivity.
Laconically, I know religion is not our problem, but the undeserved respect we accolade to the dirty holy men. I know people will criticise and some will even pray for me and say am not in the 'spirit', I careless as long as am saying the truth.To he who beget ears, let him not only listen to the truth but act accordingly.
God bless Nigeria!!!
Soneye Abdul-Azeez Lekan
My dearest brothers and sisters in this great nation, permit me to correct the ills being perceived about religion in this country. There has not been a day I tuned to listen into radio stations or watch television stations news and won't see or hear the word "religion* in/on the headline. If all really believe in the 'creator' then there wouldn't be religion crisis the least. I stand to argue that what we practice today is but a deceit against our own conscience. I look at people pitifully when I see them dressed in their best attires on Fridays and Sundays going to mosque and church respectively. And I wonder if they are worshipping their ego or God.
I will like to come out frank and expose the dubious imams and pastors who are nothing but opposite of what they preach in reality. Somebody might rebuke me for throwing such a jibe without the least respect, I don't mind! Nigeria has the highest number of worship places(mosque and church) in the world yet we are ranked as one the top most corrupt people of the world. Why can't we ask ourselves 'why'? This is simply because our religion leaders have failed to perform their purpose, they are but just a replica of the thieves in our government houses stealing our resources cleverly under the facade of religion. And we have been so gullible that we don't listen to our own intellect. It is only in Nigeria you will see someone who earn below #30,000 monthly paying money into the church account and a pastor who can afford a pair of shoe worth #75,000 will go home with it. This is the country where you will see a woman selling pure water paying money for prayers at 'tahajud' night only for these imams who drive in expensive cars to share. And they will justify it by saying it's 'tithe or Sadaqah', Nigeria is truly in pain! Funny enough is that these pastors and imams will build schools from the proceedings of the money contributed by the poor people to the church and mosque only for their children to be deprived to enjoy from the privilege. RCCG, LFC, IMA, NASFAT foundations are evidences, they are with no doubt one of the most costly schools to afford in this country. Yet they are built in the name of God and from the contributions to God.
This message is for every Nigerian to be open minded and listen to the truth to make a change. We can't continue to live under the deceits of these sect of people and expect any change. There are lot of faithful Christian and Muslim Nigerians dieing in hospitals because they can't afford bills. They are thousands of Nigerian kids on the street, under bridges selling all sort of things, and some doing conductor, all of which can hardly make them live happily the way they should, yet we have our religion leaders preaching morality on Fridays and Sundays but not practising it. The effect is that, this lifestyle is not only killing the potentials of these kids but in the same vein stabbing the future of Nigeria. This in the sense that they won't be able to attain their rightful capabilities since there is little or no education at all. Consequently, they will end up as tools in the hands of politicians and/or terrorists. Unfortunately at our expense, the children of these religion leaders are in the foundations of mosques and churches enjoying the full right of what their father's had little or no contribution to only to graduate and conquer the poor ones who grew up under bridges.
Another obvious atrocity which we pay no interest to is how these pastors and imams influence us to the dictate of their political affiliation. Is funny how the sect of people who are meant to correct ills in our environment and speak the truth always shake hand warmly and smile on TV screen with those politicians ferrying away with our nation's resources. Why do we love fallacies and disregard the truth?
I don't find any greater sadness on social media than when I see Nigerians writing against one another in the name of religion. Until our church in cleansed and our mosques purged of religion bandits, there shall be no end to diversity and wars of religion. It's high time we realised who we are worshipping, whether it's God or these self acclaimed men of God. Until church and mosque goes back to what Jesus and Muhammad preached, there won't be peace. The truth is bitter and sometimes harsh to the ear but it's better to say it. Until we direct the gifts and money we give to our pastors and imams to the less privileged, Nigeria won't move forward. If we don't stop donating into church/mosque account and sponsor an orphan, this country won't witness greatness. And if we continue to avoid those living in the swamps as despondents while feeding the big stomachs, there won't be positivity.
Laconically, I know religion is not our problem, but the undeserved respect we accolade to the dirty holy men. I know people will criticise and some will even pray for me and say am not in the 'spirit', I careless as long as am saying the truth.To he who beget ears, let him not only listen to the truth but act accordingly.
God bless Nigeria!!!
Soneye Abdul-Azeez Lekan
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