I sign off some of my messages with God bless you and some recipients express surprise because of my public stance on religion. But two religious loonies have, in their infallible wisdom, declared me a closet-Atheist. After everything I have shared on this platform you think I will be afraid to state it if I am indeed an atheist? Oh puhlease! . Yes, I have stated time and again that I am not religious, now if that is synonymous with atheism, thats your bloody business not mine. I am not religious because I cannot follow dogmas; I believe God can and does deal with individuals as we present ourselves to him. Theistic beliefs are supposed to be personal. Institutionalising them doesnt work for some of us. So, spare me. I refuse to see God as majority see Him and I take exceptions to anyone trying to put me into a box constructed ages ago; in lands far, far away Yet, the problem isnt in religion itself. Because like most things in life, religion has two sides to it. Good people would always align with the good in religion and evil people would always find their alignment in religion. Life and indeed living, is all about choices. CASE STUDY A On July 23 2014, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was the reported target of a bomb blast in Kaduna. Although he survived, the attack left a reported number (some say 25, others 30) of people dead. In the wake of the attack however, it seems the man has made some claims which are inflammatory in nature. Just yesterday, a Facebook friend, Fatuhu Mustapha had a post on his wall berating Sheikh Bauchi for comments with these words inter alia: I think Dahiru Bauchi need to be cautious about his statements. The way he is parroting nowadays is quite unbecoming and not helping matters. Such divisive opinion will not augur well with already volatile situation we are living. On July 25 2014, a procession of Shiites had a face-off with men of the Nigerian Army in Zaria. Earlier reports had it that the leader of the Islamic sect lost 3 sons aftermath. Just recently, Sheikh Mahmud El Zakzakky revealed that 33 members of his sect were arrested and tortured to death in custody. Sheikh El Zak has been called on his followers to be calm and that the sect would be seeking legal redress. *Applause* Two Sheikhs: one attacked by Boko Haram, survived, no record of personal loss, makes inflammatory and divisive sentimental claims which are condemnable and are being condemned; the other had children and followers killed extra-judiciously, approaches the situation with calm and logic, has called on his members to trust him to handle the situation legally. Awesome! Impressive! Commendable! CASE STUDY B Who remembers Rt. Revd Akinolas prayers at the interdenominational service to mark Democracy Day in 2012? Premium Times says it better so here is an excerpt from PT on subject-matter. At the interdenominational church service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to commemorate the 2012 National Democracy Day, the guest preacher and immediate past Prelate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Peter Akinola, in his sermon, challenged the congregation to join him in the fight against corruption in the country by committing perpetrators to God. But the congregation, including the President, who was accompanied by his wife, Patience, the Governor of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson and Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dameshi Luka, as well as some ministers failed to respond to prayers to take corrupt officials “to the court of God.” Apparently, expecting to hear a thunderous YES or AMEN from the congregation, the Reverend, who instead got a deafening silence, exclaimed: “There you go! Oh, corruption! So, you are not ready to fight it, because you are all beneficiaries of it. Whether you steal in a small or big way, stealing is stealing.” Apparently disappointed with the response he got, the clergyman shot angrily at Mr. Jonathan and his delegation, “See, it is very clear. You are not interested in fighting corruption. If you do, let us take our case to the court of God, if you dare. Who is deceiving who? You are only deceiving yourselves, not God. And you who is stealing government funds, subjecting the poor to untold hardship; you who steal oil subsidy money, making Nigerians pay for fuel through their noses; you who steal funds meant for improving our power supply, deliberately making Nigerians live a life in utter darkness, will you repent today? I doubt it!” Source: See comment section. Compare this to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafors mostly inciting and divisive shenanigans even as CAN president who should sue for peace and lead the campaign for inter-religious dialogue and tolerance. Again, two Christian clerics: one a fearless anti-corruption crusader; the other, well, a corruption promoter and bestie. So, what am I driving at? Good people will be good people. But since there are more people using religion to manipulate, subjugate, control, destroy, and sometimes kill, and good people within the major religions have chosen to keep quiet and play the victim when some of us take swipes at the evil practices of their colleagues, it has become expedient for government to regulate both major religions before things get out of hand as preparations are already under-way to guarantee that like a friend noted in a WhatsApp conversation earlier today: Both major religions urgently need regulations. The radicalization of young people is scary on both sides. Our universities (religious institutions owned) now have more religious centres than laboratories All preaching supremacy and exceptionalism ideologies, turning the campus to a huge indoctrination camp Sodiq Oyedeji Alabi. Words in bracket mine. Government, be proactive for once. This deserves looking into. A stitch in time...
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 13:17:33 +0000
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