Liberian Literary Magazine
RELIGION/CHURCH!
What can I say? I mean what
can I really say on this
issue? It seems that each
time a church folk sinks
into the gutter, another
gets envious and purposes
to do better. By this, they
take a pitch deeper in the
mud. And trust you me,
they don’t disappoint.
These
people
make
Hollywood comedians look
like child’s play. This would
all be funny were there not
real people’s lives touched
and seriously affected by
this tragedy/comedy.
As I have said before and
will say for the umpteenth
time, religion [the church,
mosques and places of
worship] is arguably the
foremost
enabler
of
poverty and corruption in
Africa and the developing
world.
Promoting Liberian literature, Arts and Culture
Because of the sentiments
attached,
many
folks
wouldn’t say it. They won’t
even try discussing the
issue. Many aren’t bold to
call their ‘men’ and
‘women’ of God out for the
trickery they do. Few
would dare voice it out.
They sit and swallow these
insults and abuses until the
scales are forcibly jerked
from their eyes and then,
they go ballistic. But
funnily
enough,
they
replace one for an even
worse one. At this rate, I
fear Christ might find
himself
returning
to
another crucifixion. These
lots would swear He ain’t
the real deal and would
‘recrucify’ him for being an
imposter of the Savior and
taking away their livelihood.
I would not bother listing
their ‘atrocities’, trust me.
Despite all we know and
have seen, there will be
staunch defenders and selfappointed
executioners
ready to take me down.
That frightens me not but it
saddens me like crazy.
Church & Family Tensions
So what is my beef this
time around? Let me see….
Everything. Since I can’t
discuss everything, we will
deal with disruption in the
family structure and the
church’s role in this saga.
I’ve always wondered
why ‘men of God’ feel it is
fine to keep another man’s
wife or partner in their
service most or all of the
10
time [I don’t mean worship
service here]. It never
made sense to me. It
doesn’t gel that one would
feel comfortable having
women with families stuck
up in prayer meetings,
revivals, evangelism etc.
they draw up schedules
that place everybody else’s
spouses on duties but
theirs. Are they not aware
that these women should
be catering to their homes?
Or do they not care? A good
number of these women
come to these churches
with
a
shitload
of
problems.
They
are
vulnerable, scared and
need comfort. Instead,
over time, these leaders
[wife included many times]
begin exacting favors. It
starts of small. A special
meeting today, a cleanup
tomorrow, a cook for some
guests… nothing beyond
their abilities. Initially, the
husbands either didn’t
know, didn’t care or
preferred to stay the heck
away from these women
just so they can have peace
to continue doing whatever
it is they are/were doing
[or not doing]. But when it
becomes weekly, then
homes start to break.
There is the Sunday
service, Monday meetings,
Tuesday choir practice,
Wednesday Bible study;
Thursday & Saturday re
more
choir
practice
sessions. Friday prison
ministries and outreach