By Lanre Ogundipe
The Psalmist calls the attention of those who identify as believers to the fundamentals of true worship and acceptable service unto God. Psalm 24:3 enunciates the parameters of acceptable worship, of the almighty. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully…”
In Nigeria, religious pretentiousness displayed as true piety, has, to a large degree, replaced true godliness. Book of Isaiah chapter 58, unequivocally denounces religious observations that do not measure up to God’s own standard of righteousness.
Pentecostalism in Nigeria seems to fit into this description. This charismatic Christianity brand, has become synonymous with a yearly ritual of prolonged fasting. For several years, religious leaders in the country have annually declared months of fasting and prayers at the onset of every year. These fastings range from 21 days to 100 days, depending on the practicing denomination. The over 3 months fasting of a particular megachurch, often dovetails into Lenten season – as practitioners struggle to keep up with the mantra of invoking God’s blessings for self, church and the nation in the new year. The fastings, usually cloaked in religious piety, often fail to evoke true spiritualty or produce palpable godliness in majority of the faithful. This is a no guess-talk or arm-chair speculation. The facts are there for all to see. The fastings have inadvertently or otherwise, been made to replace or at best make up for the shortcomings of the adherents in living by Christ’s uncompromisable requirement, that anyone who wants to follow him, must deny self and take up his cross- meaning that living godly, requires giving up sinful pleasures and unedifying conveniences. James 1: 26-27 specifies the religion that is acceptable to God.
Unfortunately, this man-induced practice has baited many to believe that God could be entreated by mere religiosity wrapped in the cloak of piety, and that God could be “bribed “to endow blessings even when the acts and motives are not pure. They make people believe that the best way to attract God’s attention is through superfluous annual arrangements regarded as requisites for answering prayers by the one and only Omniscient God.
For many, it is just a routine that must be observed every year to maintain loyalty or fulfil their denominational righteousness. Sadly, many of the enforcers and compliants have deviated from the purity and simplicity of the faith laid down by Jesus Christ and entrenched by his apostles,
As a keen observer of events and a Christian as well, I should honestly agree with some commentators, that Nigeria qualifies by now, to be named the religious capital of the world. By our deep immersion in religious activities, and ubiquity of religious centers, our nation should have become God’s own country, reflected in our value system and concomitant development through prudent and honest use of resources, inspired by godly fear. Nigeria would have attained the enviable status of “the Apple of God’s eyes.” It is disheartening to note that Nigeria is defined by the opposite.
Our case becomes even more complicated when some Muslims add their own prescription to the “holy” month of Ramadan, to present Nigeria as a country that is deeply God- reverencing. Lo and behold! Religion in Nigeria is characteristically used to mask the godlessness that pervades the land.
I wonder, seriously speaking, why some states will shut down schools in the name of fasting. What hypocrisy! What regressive thinking! Niger, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Bauchi, and one other State. l heard, recently declared holiday for their primary and secondary schools. This, to me, is carrying religion too far! The question is: how do fasting interfere with education? And why were the children – pardon me – of the talakawas made to halt schooling while the children of the rich, workers, traders, and self-employed are busy peddling their stocks? Why can’t the governments shut down the entire states to give pep to the fasting?
What of Christian Lenten? To declare holidays too, for 40 days? Haaa! What hypocrisy!
By inference, it is apparent that this display of religious piety is more of showmanship than true penitence and godliness in Nigeria. In several countries where religious devotions are not as deeply entrenched as it is in Nigeria, things are moving forward, governments are ruling reasonably well, and citizens are following better.
The question then is why do Nigeria remain caged in the hole of confusion and underdevelopment? It is because its religion is mostly wrapped in deceit. Repeatedly we have heard, that this land is blessed with milk and honey! But why are those living in the desert more nourished than those inhabiting the land flowing with milk and honey? Is it not time our religious leaders, especially church leaders, ditch pretentious worship and embrace the truth that sets free?
It is time to seek the Lord so he may send the “rain” upon us. The present bulk of religious leaders with the exception of few, who have merchandised the gospel either openly or subtly, needs to change course. Otherwise, God’s judgement looms. Contrariwise, the government has a right to demand taxes from these entrepreneurial religions. The CAMA law as enshrined in the Corporate Affairs Commission should be invoked while the status of charity to religious organizations be reviewed.
Some of these organizations are far wealthier than government establishments and private companies. Churches having 3- 4 bombardier aircraft are far richer than few notable private business organizations in the country.
I read in the course of the month, a politician gifted a religious leader a whopping one million US dollars years back and later gifted another 50 million Naira. The translation of that in today’s inflated economy is huge with no proven far-reaching contribution to national growth and development. More worrisome is that they received these “largesse” without questioning the source(s) or spiritual status of the giver.
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Another Pastor, went wild on social media that he and his partners gifted a famous church leader a 1.5 billion Naira car to mark his birthday. And few months later while celebrating his own 50th birthday, one of his ‘spiritual sons’ gifted him a brand-new limousine of equal cost to celebrate. He turned 50 years this last January! Here’s someone with no records of work experience anywhere other than mounting the pulpit to sermonize, and has now joined the league of pastors that parade long exotic cars and perhaps move in convoy, that even some world leaders will shun. And anti-graft agencies dare not query their sources of income because the religious mantra is: “It is the Lord’s doing …” The obvious truth is that the political powers are glove in hand with these religious leaders. While one is perpetrating physical and fiscal exploitation, the other is committing “spiritual” robbery.
Corruption and crime are being subtly if not brazenly encouraged by these so-called Pastors.
Imagine an association of mothers of Yahoo operators, saying they spend endless time praying for their children to succeed in their enterprise! What a country! In such circumstance, how can we have a functional country? Righteousness exalts, sin is a reproach- Except the religious establishment drop the garb of deceit and embrace true piety, weeping and lamentations would continue to torment the nation.
Its time the religious leaders repent and lead the nation to genuine repentance.
Lanre Ogundipe
Public Affairs Analyst;
Former President Nigeria and African Union of Journalists
March 19, 2025
