• Main News
  • About Us
  • Contact
Premium Times Opinion
Sunday, May 22, 2022
  • Home
  • Democracy and Governance
    • Bámidélé Upfront
    • Jibrin Ibrahim
    • Okey Ndibe
  • Economy
    • Ifeanyi Uddin
  • Issues of the Day
    • Adeolu Ademoyo
    • Aribisala on Tuesday
    • Dele Agekameh
    • Pius Adesanmi
  • Politics
    • Ebeneezer Obadare
    • Femi Fani-Kayode
    • Garba Shehu
    • Hannatu Musawa
    • Zainab Suleiman Okino
  • Guest Columns
  • Faith
    • Article of Faith
    • Sunday Ogidigbo
    • Friday Sermon
    • Elevated Sight
  • Home
  • Democracy and Governance
    • Bámidélé Upfront
    • Jibrin Ibrahim
    • Okey Ndibe
  • Economy
    • Ifeanyi Uddin
  • Issues of the Day
    • Adeolu Ademoyo
    • Aribisala on Tuesday
    • Dele Agekameh
    • Pius Adesanmi
  • Politics
    • Ebeneezer Obadare
    • Femi Fani-Kayode
    • Garba Shehu
    • Hannatu Musawa
    • Zainab Suleiman Okino
  • Guest Columns
  • Faith
    • Article of Faith
    • Sunday Ogidigbo
    • Friday Sermon
    • Elevated Sight
No Result
View All Result
Premium Times Opinion
Home Democracy and Governance Bámidélé Upfront

The Abuse Of Faith By Pastors, By Bámidélé Adémólá-Olátéjú

by Premium Times
July 23, 2019
4 min read
1

It is morally reprehensible to dismiss the crimes of pastors and church leaders. It is an abuse of faith to attempt to silence critics and denounce people who challenge the church to be accountable as unfaithful, or lacking obedience to the word of God. To believe that church leaders are infallible is a disgusting handicap to have.


Have you ever heard a sermon in your church about sexual abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse? The answer is probably ‘No!’ Sexual abuse, domestic violence and child abuse are not just mentioned once or twice, there are references to these issues in abundance. Examples can be found in the abuse of the Levite’s concubine, Joseph, Abel, Tamar and Dinah. Your pastors or reverends shy away from these passages because they are scary and unglamorous. With what is going on in Nigeria and in Christendom, these passages are very relevant today, as they have always been.

Professing the name of Jesus is not a cure all. Being born again can wash away sins, according to the Bible, but it cannot wash away crimes. The pulpit should not be a safe haven for sex offenders, pedophiles, child molesters, wife beaters and rapists. Those who aspire to lead us in faith, ought to be people of integrity, known for their self-control and compassion. It is completely out of line, if churches and Christian umbrella bodies choose to ignore the scripture and the principles behind their own existence. Certainly, sex offenders, rapists and anyone engaging in those crimes do not meet the integrity, self-control and compassion criteria and they should be made to face the consequences.

From what we know about the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) saga playing out and the obscene and ostentatious lifestyles of many pastors, it is clear that the body of Christ in Nigeria desperately needs accountability and responsibility. Self-sanction is best, if they do not wish to lose the digital generation that is wiser, more introspective and practical. They must know that no one is above reproach in all things. Understandable but not excusable is the palpable fear gripping the body of Christ into defensiveness. Many in it fear the allegations of rape is going to make them all look bad. Unfortunately, reactions based on fear are no long-term strategy. It is actually a failing strategy because many of in the body of Christ are bad, and they should look bad. Issues like this have gone on for too long without being addressed. Defensive responses from “respected” pastors and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and attempts by the COZA congregation to demonise victims, rank high among the worst things the sexually abused can endure.

…the nauseating indifference to criminal behaviour by pastors and the “touch not the anointed”-believing congregation is a gross abuse of faith. The lack of accountability and oversight in branches, and big churches without hierarchical structures, constitute an abuse of faith.


Increasingly in Nigeria, people are associating faith or authority with oppression, trauma and betrayal. Religious leaders are authority figures. They are frequently and affectionately called “Men of God”. When someone is referred to as a man of God, there are no holds barred. Those who look up to them have no guards and their defence systems are completely paralysed. There is a feeling that it is a special relationship, blessed and sanctioned by God. Along with star power, it is easy to see why the young women were so vulnerable with zero defences.

That is why the nauseating indifference to criminal behaviour by pastors and the “touch not the anointed”-believing congregation is a gross abuse of faith. The lack of accountability and oversight in branches, and big churches without hierarchical structures, constitute an abuse of faith. Recently, the social media has become the battle ground for the fight against errant pastors and those committed to defending them. It is the height of the apologism of rape to bandy about the worn cliché of “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called”. What about making sure the called become qualified? We must not allow anyone to offer loose interpretation of the biblical text with respect to rape and sexual assault. Rape is never the fault of the victim. We have lessons to learn from the book of Judges 19. The story is a lesson in intimate betrayal and the complicity of the community in the story, calls on us to consider our own roles when we aid and abet evil. In it is the most gruesome story in the Bible. The entire chapter is almost all about the rape, murder, and the dismemberment of a woman, facilitated by her husband. The Bible defined our roles as a people or as congregants in the final verse of the chapter: “Set yourselves (your hearts) on her, confer and speak!”

The common responses to abuse within our churches and communities mimics the ordeal of Tamar. Concerted attempts are made to silence victims and are designed to minimise their pain. What Tamar went through, shows how patriarchy and abuse are intertwined. David was silent but his silence made things worse.


We have heard about the promotion of Joseph as prime minister of Egypt but have we heard or read about the ordeal of Tamar and her rape in 2 Samuel 13:18-22? As they say, there is nothing new under the sun. The common responses to abuse within our churches and communities mimics the ordeal of Tamar. Concerted attempts are made to silence victims and are designed to minimise their pain. What Tamar went through, shows how patriarchy and abuse are intertwined. David was silent but his silence made things worse. The refusal of David and Absalom to turn over Amnon to the authorities complicated things, leading to dysfunction within their family and death.

It is morally reprehensible to dismiss the crimes of pastors and church leaders. It is an abuse of faith to attempt to silence critics and denounce people who challenge the church to be accountable as unfaithful, or lacking obedience to the word of God. To believe that church leaders are infallible is a disgusting handicap to have.

Bámidélé Adémólá-Olátéjú a farmer, youth advocate and political analyst writes this weekly column, “Bamidele Upfront” for PREMIUM TIMES. Follow me on Twitter @olufunmilayo

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Print
  • More
  • Pocket
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

Previous Post

Don’t You Already Regret Voting for Buhari?, By Femi Aribisala

Next Post

Gadzama’s Revelations and the Urgency of Security Reforms In Nigeria, By Uche Igwe

Related Posts

Trust and Confidence Building As Conditions of Good Governance, By Uddin Ifeanyi
Columns

The Policy Implications of 2021’s Low Growth Projections, By Uddin Ifeanyi

February 1, 2021
Akinwunmi Adesina: Africa’s Spotless Son, By Wole Olaoye
Columns

Iron Woman of Berlin, By Wole Olaoye

January 31, 2021
Rethinking Heroism and the Nigerian Civil Service, By Festus Adedayo
Columns

Aliko Dangote’s Costly Mess of the Libido, By Festus Adedayo

January 31, 2021
Why Lai Mohammed Must Be Fired Immediately, By Femi Aribisala
Article of Faith

Is God Invisible?, By Femi Aribisala

January 31, 2021
Religion As Africa’s Trojan Horse, By Osmund Agbo
Columns

South-East Governors: Preparing For a Post-oil and Restructured Nigeria, By Osmund Agbo

January 30, 2021
People Deserve The Coach They Hire, By Owei Lakemfa
Columns

Again, Entombed Humans Triumph Over Death, By Owei Lakemfa

January 30, 2021
Next Post
Nigeria’s Corruption Problem: Is Getting Worse a Step To Getting Better?, By Uche Igwe

Gadzama’s Revelations and the Urgency of Security Reforms In Nigeria, By Uche Igwe

The ‘forgotten’ girls of Chibok, By Dele Agekameh

The Shi'ite Frankenstein, By Dele Agekameh

Editorial

  • EDITORIAL: The Urgency of Tackling Nigeria’s Second Wave of COVID-19

    EDITORIAL: The Urgency of Tackling Nigeria’s Second Wave of COVID-19

  • EDITORIAL: Unearthing the Cogent Lessons In the NESG-CBN Economic Policy Imbroglio

    EDITORIAL: Unearthing the Cogent Lessons In the NESG-CBN Economic Policy Imbroglio

  • EDITORIAL: COVID-19: Calling On Nigeria’s Billionaires and Religious Leaders To Step Up

    EDITORIAL: COVID-19: Calling On Nigeria’s Billionaires and Religious Leaders To Step Up

  • EDITORIAL: Bichi Must Go; Buhari Must Halt Slide Into Despotism

    EDITORIAL: Bichi Must Go; Buhari Must Halt Slide Into Despotism

  • EDITORIAL: The Flaws In Governor Emefiele’s Five-Year Plan For Central Bank of Nigeria

    EDITORIAL: The Flaws In Governor Emefiele’s Five-Year Plan For Central Bank of Nigeria

Subscribe to our Opinion articles via email

Enter your email address to get notifications of new opinion articles as they are published.

Join 526,538 other subscribers

Most Popular

  • The Bad Consequences and Dangers of Adultery and Fornication (Zina) In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
    The Bad Consequences and Dangers of Adultery and Fornication (Zina) In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
  • World Teachers Day and The Position of Teachers In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
    World Teachers Day and The Position of Teachers In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
  • Islam and the Conditions For Marrying More Than One Wife, By Murtadha Gusau
    Islam and the Conditions For Marrying More Than One Wife, By Murtadha Gusau
  • The Qualities of a Good Leader In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
    The Qualities of a Good Leader In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
  • Olabisi Ajala, the Traveller: Of Fame and Penury, By Femi Kehinde
    Olabisi Ajala, the Traveller: Of Fame and Penury, By Femi Kehinde
  • You Will Be Held Responsible On What Happened To Your Children!, By Murtadha Gusau
    You Will Be Held Responsible On What Happened To Your Children!, By Murtadha Gusau
  • Slaughtering Animal for the New Born Baby (Al-Aqiqah) In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
    Slaughtering Animal for the New Born Baby (Al-Aqiqah) In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau

Like us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook

Podcasts

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

  • Main News
  • About Us
  • Contact

© 2022 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Democracy and Governance
    • Bámidélé Upfront
    • Jibrin Ibrahim
    • Okey Ndibe
  • Economy
    • Ifeanyi Uddin
  • Issues of the Day
    • Adeolu Ademoyo
    • Aribisala on Tuesday
    • Dele Agekameh
    • Pius Adesanmi
  • Politics
    • Ebeneezer Obadare
    • Femi Fani-Kayode
    • Garba Shehu
    • Hannatu Musawa
    • Zainab Suleiman Okino
  • Guest Columns
  • Faith
    • Article of Faith
    • Sunday Ogidigbo
    • Friday Sermon
    • Elevated Sight

© 2022 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.