THE INTERACTIONS! (THE FINALE) ....maam,religion is poverty-driven in Africa!Caught up in the same shackles of colonization as Africans,by the British supremacist philosophy of bringing the light through religion,some parts of Europe systematically gravitated towards economic Eldorado - and religion?It became more of a tool of morality than a spiritual tool.Their fate became unattached to religion.Then she sighed my name.Hmm,Isaac...but...But I wasnt through so I politely interrupted her,but this she took with no offence as her face radiated that mixed expression of admiration and confusion... Maam,during the industrial revolution in Europe,even the countries in the stronghold of colonization ventured into industrialization - from Europe to the Americas to Asia.But you know what,we were such an irredeemable simple souls who thought and still think Christ is coming tomorrow.Paradise was all that mattered.Let the whites have as much as they wanted...so,the whites plundered and kept milking the cow...the African continent,I mean.... Mrs.Ofeghene looked at me again,and certain inexplicable palpitation hit my heart,tumbling down and setting between my legs...She smiled momentarily,again my soul was like being flung into an ocean from the hellish Sahara Desert.I knew she wished to say something...Why do you reduce their religiosity to poverty?Why dont you think the Africans understand religion more than those crusaders?Looking at my wrist watch out of impulse,indicating 7am,I took a glance above my left shoulders and saw Pastor Chris in his exotic car driving off to church.And I smiled...... You people know nothing about poverty!What do you know?You could see Chris eyes dilating as he passionately kept talking...You could see his goose pimples....Ive lived in poverty.Im talking about not being fed nor clothed...Have you ever drunk garri with garri?On certain circumstances,we would laugh to such,almost ridiculous question.But not today...You could see Chris tears-glittering eyes....Six of us,children,we would fry the garri mixed with oil,salt and pepper if available.Thereafter,we would soak garri in another bowl to be voraciously consumed....Then he shook his head.In a rather conciliatory tone he said,But I know God will soon lift me and my siblings and parents.But not even one of us knew what was coming.Soon after,we all heard he was now sleeping and schooling in a pastoral school.After six months,the saintly affectation,transformation was startling.It all happened one morning at 5am,such a time a couple would want to hurriedly couple for missing the 4am bout...Today,I come not in my name,no!Who am I?Job was spat at.He was ridiculed by the unclean,swine,but God heals all wound...Arise,brethren...koboro skebi...seletrimokobrajebeni....Arise,brethren...forget your yesterday...Those are in Gods hands...verebopalasibo....I come to you like John the Baptist from the wilderness....I cocked my ears....I couldnt have mistaken Chris muscular voice...I tiptoed,put off the outside light,and sneaked out.Behold,the metamorphosis of Chris and the trial of Isaac intensified.That was three years ago.Now,Chris is now an elite,no doubt... Maam,you must have noticed pastors these days are even unsure of paradise,so institute theirs here...She gave me a generous smile....they conclude,if hell be for the majority - those who were the wretched of the earth - and I have had a feel of paradise,I am better than losing at both ends....Besides,these same self-ordained or apostate-ordained men of God know the gullibility of the African man.Like the colonizers,they tell them to invest in Christ not on earth....They promise them through Christ to better their lot....So,these flocks keep believing and sowing with more or less circumstantial gains that the shepherds attribute to themselves and God.The same poverty doesnt end there...Our politicians loot in the name of Christ....Some have even bought churches,become pastors and kept channelling looted money into churches to buy ordinances.They keep looting to obliterate the hydra-headed poverty from their childrens future....The politicians,the so-called pastors are all driven by poverty! Mrs.Ofeghene looked at me again with renewed interest like she hadnt been doing.But,is that why almost everyday,morning till evening it is all church?I have often come across stalls-like churches with a handful of people,you know,singing energetically,ringing bells,drumming in ritual-style in the morning with motor bikes,cars outside...Isaac,I mean 7am on weekdays...you know what I mean,Isaac...I am like,whats the use of a Sabbath Day?What are they looking for?I only could smile...Maam,they are all driven by the fear of poverty!... Isaac!Isaac!Make we come dey go.I looked at my friend,Mike,then I remembered I followed him there to see Mrs.Ofeghene.They were friends on business grounds.This was a woman I never had the opportunity of meeting.Her Parlour?
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 21:53:56 +0000
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