Religion is known to be a way of life. A form of spiritual guidance or a coping mechanism to those who face life challenges. By definition, religion is “an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence”. Not only in Ghana, but world-wide, religion has been on the tongues of many. The entire world can attest to how religion has become a very sensitive discussion when reviewing the various global issues. At times, based on fanaticism, you see one/group defends his/her/their religion based on some kind of superiority complex, misjudgement or misunderstanding. To include world issues relating to religion would be too vast in this article, so I will just focus on what I see as happening in Ghana.
Is it just me or does there seem to be a manifestation of Christian based Churches in Ghana? This may not necessarily be a bad thing. What could be so wrong with giving praise to God? Spreading his good word? Relaying and leading by example, the responsibilities of God’s citizens to do good. However and sadly, this is not always the case. There have been some individuals who do abuse God’s work. What do I mean by this? Some so-called Men of God, independently, use the Church to victimize their members.
How, you might ask? By giving strict routine instructions and taking large sums of money from people who may not even have the deserved 3 square meals per day. Some oblige and pay, with hope for and delivery of a miracle(s). Misuse of ‘tithes and offerings’ of the congregation to fund their shiny wardrobe, shoes and expensive fleet of cars. Walking with bodyguards and appointees to even hold their briefcases. Instead of church members paying taxes in Ghana or their societies, they give money to their pastors, when all these individuals will do is pray for you or claim to, (not sure if it is genuine/when you can pray to God as well) and may even provide you false details regarding your circumstances. I am sorry, but call me crazy, but is there something not wrong when the leader of the Church has more money than all members put together?
I strongly believe, the role of the Church should be to clothe the needy, feed the poor, give shelter to the homeless, educate their members regarding various issues and ultimately provide moral guidance based on the teachings of the Good Word. Instead, we see some stepping/roughing up people during deliverance, engaging in immoral acts, providing poor advice (i.e. your mother is the reason you are broke or your sister is BEYEFUO etc.) and making the Church a center for financial gain.
When I hear or see such things, I sometimes revert back to the rule of not going to a Church that is not older than your own father. But you give chances, and then may face disappointment over and over again. There seems to be some kind of blame game, rather than looking at the individual themselves. Let me emphasize, I am not painting all with the same brush nor am I saying this only happens in Ghana. But I have to ask; are they not also causing financial loss to the state?
From my personal experience, I recall visiting a church by invitation. The individual who was speaking that day said that one should not hang with people who wear their pants down low or who rock a certain hairstyle i.e. dreadlocks… Went on to say that such people are a bad influence; the “yo, yo, yo” type. Hmm I said to myself. .. How does this sound? I thought Jesus said “Come as you are” and from my recollection of the Bible, the mission was to accept all who accepted the word of God. What about “thou shall not judge? Is it not the responsibility of the Church to try and rehabilitate and counsel the fallen (if that is the case)? Well, I believe spreading the word of God, should be done prejudice-free.
Within my immediate home city alone, we have over 150 Churches for the Ghanaian community…Why does it seem like every Tom, Dick and Harry can get up and establish a Church? Can’t some of the in-common denominations join forces and have mega churches rather than divisiveness? This to me, has become a very big problem.
This article was submitted by Adwoa Nyantakyiwaa-Boahen | To submit an article, CLICK HERE
Am a Christian and I agree with this article 100% bit what I’ve realised is the church members actually want to be deceived. They seek for so called miracles and prophesies about themselves so they invite these troubles into their lives. The pastors also realise that the congregation are illogical and will accept any bull that comes out of their mouths. Ghanaians have put this idea of witchcraft into their heads and have actually embodied this into themselves so they do the most stupidest things to the people who love them the most. No wonder why men do not really attend churches because they can already see through it. Hardly any of the women actually read the Bible so the pastors deceive them so easily by taking their money, sleeping with them and breaking their marriages and family. I really wish Christians would wise up and stop following these pastors and stop judging people. They love to judge and criticise, I believe that you can learn something from anyone. The worldly people or sinners who whatever all contribute to our lives even though we don’t no recognise it but they actually do give good advice on how not to end up doing the same mistakes they did. But each to his own anyways.
There is No Where in The Bible Jesus said “Come as you are”. Prove to me. The writers on GC including your chief editor are all novices when it comes to the bible, you see only few people comment on ur articles these days, people are fed up with ur anti christ stand. Again, u want to justify ur stance of being rebellious in the house of God by saying “Thou shall not judge”. We can judge based on the word of God. The word of God is God according to John 1. We who are spiritual can judge all things.