Of faith, conversion and repercussions (Comment on Aisha Uzoechina) Category: Opinion Published on Saturday, 03 August 2013 06:00 Written by Bitrus Gwadah Hits: 7 Pastor Raymond Uzoechina of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Suleja, has reason to feel upset. As a Pastor, he has the responsibility for the spiritual health of members of his congregation. Not only is his conduct as Pastor expected to be exemplary, his position as husband, father and head of his household demands that his family members compliment his effort to achieve that. His daughter, Charity, also has reason to be upset, afraid even, of her parents and neighbours. In our society, the conduct of members of the family of the clergy are constantly – under public scrutiny. In all things children are expected to compliment the special calling of the head of the household. But now it seems something has obviously not gone right in the RCCG of Kwankwashe Suleja parish; and in the home of its Chief Shepherd. (2) Born into a Christian home, brought up under the guidance of Holy Scriptures, grew up in the church, she went through all the motions expected of a daughter in such environment. According to reports, Charity Uzoechina, on Friday 15th February, 2013, in Bida, Niger State, took perhaps the most serious personal decision of her life. She embraced Islam and renounced Christianity; and took on the new name of Aisha. She did not then return home to announce her new found faith to her family. She instead went to the Palace of the Etsu Nupe to seek refuge “against any aggression she may face” when as expected, her family eventually got to know about her conversion to Islam. Pastor Uzoechina of course eventually got to know. He was told where his daughter was. Naturally, he travelled to the Bida Palace to take his daughter home. Not possible. He learnt his daughter will not follow him. Her protectors will not force her to go with her father. There is a stalemate. The matter is now before a court. Poor judge. He needs more than the laws and the constitution of Nigeria to do “justice” in this case. He needs the wisdom of King Solomon. No less. (3) While we await the judge’s decision, which will be subject to appeal up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, let me, at the risk of committing some kind of contempt (there is no mens rea), offer my view and advice to Pastor Uzoechina, as Aisha’s father. I have no business with CAN or the vituperations of its national or state officials; in Nigeria, it is usual for the so-called Political clergy (CAN &JNI) to put down money to buy a problem which does not concern them, as long as it affords them space to gladiate with imaginary enemies and offer advice on politics. (4). My understanding of Christianity is that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, since the original sin of our original parents in the Garden of Eden. According to the Christian scriptures, whether we are born to Christian or pagan parents, our salvation awaits our PERSONAL act. There is no special privilege for sons and daughters of saints or pastors. To benefit from God’s plan of salvation for mankind, the Bible says you must confess with your own mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, that he was crucified and died for your sins, and that God raised him from the dead so that you may have eternal life. Nothing else can substitute for that confession. No one can do that on behalf of another. It is personal and private, but it is encouraged to be made public post haste. I believe very strongly that Pastor Uzoechina has seen to these steps being taken by his 25year-old daughter. Because I know that as a Pastor, as indeed every Christian parent knows, the Bible admonishes that all parents should “teach a child the way he should go and when he grows up he will not depart from it”. Unfortunately for Pastor Uzoechina, Charity has chosen to depart from it. While this is definitely disturbing for any parent, the best place to go by Pastor Uzoechina is not the court, not to CAN and indeed not in any of those who find it difficult to accept Charity’s decision. The right thing to do is to turn to God, not to human institutions. It is a spiritual matter not a legal matter. (5). Permit me therefore to address the following points to Aisha’s father, Pastor Uzoechina; a. I read an interview given to Weekly Trust of Saturday July 27, 2013 by your daughter. She said it was her own decision. If this decision is based on a deep divine persuasion of faith, if it is genuine, there is nothing anyone can do about it. It is the path a twenty five year old woman is entitled to choose, and she has made her choice, according to her, freely. Even if she was influenced by considerations less “Godly” than anyone can imagine, no one should seek or try to force her out of it. Please withdraw from the court case. Return to God, plead your case with Him, and leave the entire matter in God’s hands. The court official, witnesses, police, the military, CAN and JNI and all the lawyers you can pay or volunteer, cannot help you or Aisha. They are all humans being subject to the same thought-short-circuit as you and Aisha and all of us. You cannot fight faith with the court, the police, the CAN, the army or with any human institution. You can only fight faith with faith. And the fight is a spiritual struggle, not by the use of arms or rhetoric. So forget the court. Forgive your daughter. She remains your daughter, but you do not owe her anything, neither does she, in all matters touching faith. Show her love, not hate. I am sure you have Muslim friends. If you truly love your Muslim friends, it should not be difficult for you to love your own daughter – who has converted to Islam. b. There is a certain Dr. Christopher Shuaibu Abashiya, a Hausa-Fulani Christian who some years ago found himself in the same situation you now find yourself. His daughter, brought up in the best of Christian tradition, converted to Islam. She gave reasons similar to those stated by your daughter. She found refuge in the Kaduna home of late Sheikh Abubakar Gumi. She was given out in marriage by a Muslim to a Muslim. CAN spat fire, and threatened to declare war against all Muslims. If you live in Kaduna as I do, you will appreciate what that portends. However her father, Dr. Chris Shuaibu Abashiya called everyone to order. He said he was not angry with his daughter because as a father, he has “taught her the way she should go”, and that was all he, as her father, owed her. He told CAN to back-off, because no one should shed more tears than the bereaved. So, inspite of the headline by GAKIYA TA FI KWABO (new Nigerian stable, of agonized memory) saying “MUSULUNCHI TAYI WAWAN KAMU”, celebrating the young Abashiya’s conversion, peace reigned in Kaduna. I will not tell you the eventual outcome. You can reach the Abashiya family via any ECWA Church, anywhere. I believe you should. His testimony as well as that of his daughter, will be of tremendous spiritual benefit to you personally, and to every true Christian, generally. c. When we stand before the God of all creation, fathers will not be held responsible for their daughters or for their sons or their wives, etc. All of us will answer for ourselves. As a man of faith, and as a parent I urge you, to please leave this matter where it has dropped. (6). There is nothing in the Bible that hold you or any Christian responsible for taking the life of another Christian for denouncing Christ, or going to war with anyone who assists in the conversion of your daughter to Islam. God does not need human help to deal with his erring creature. This we believe. Please make peace with your daughter, love her now, even more than before. That is what Christianity is all about. Love and forgiveness. God bless you. (7). To Aisha I say this: I am impressed by Aisha’s statement in the interview that she will not cut off from her parents. Please do not. Parents are special, family is wonderful. Parents fulfill a special need in each life that no other person or persons can. It is the way God planned it, and God makes no mistakes. You must have the courage to visit your parents. You need to prove to them that your conversion was an act of faith. (8). My advice to the press is that newspapers should refrain from publishing noises made by self-appointed defenders of faiths. This only helps fan the embers of hatred. None of it actually assists in resolving the core issues. (9). As for CAN and JNI and all their national and states aides and agents, I assure you no one will go to war, not anymore, because of your grand standing. If you really want to make a difference, return to resuscitating core values in the home and in society live exemplary lives. Shun politicizing our faiths. Gwadah can be reached at: b2gwadah@yahoo
Posted on: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 08:09:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015