Dons Eze
- Spirituality
- October 11, 2024
- 72 views
WHY I PREFER TRADITIONAL WORSHIP TO CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM – SOYINKA
WHY I PREFER TRADITIONAL WORSHIP TO CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM – SOYINKA Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has disclosed why he prefers traditional Orisa worshipping to Christianity and Islam. He said the deepness of faith in Islam and Christianity doesn’t match that of Orisa worshipping for him, adding that Orisa fascinated him a lot more. According to him, Orisa worshipping is one of the African religions that eschews violence and is more creative. “I was fortunate to be born in two worlds – the Christian world and traditional Orisa worshippers. My grandfather, until he – poor man – also got converted – he was an Orisa person and a chief, and his (grandfather’s) side (of Orisa) fascinated me a lot more,” the playwright told CNN’s Larry Madowo, during an interview. He added, “For me, it (Orisa worshipping) was more artistic, creative, and also more mysterious. I don’t find much of the mysterious in Christianity and even less in Islam and that is for a simple reason that I didn’t grow up in a Muslim environment. “Orisa is open, and very ecumenical and that is why these foreign religions were able to penetrate it and even distort the truth. Because of the generosity of this spirit (Orisa), it is not violent. It is one of those African religions which eschew violence. “I don’t believe in the Islamic or Christian God and for the adherents of these religions if that makes me an atheist, so I say, I am an atheist. I insisted that all human beings have a certain spiritual core in their being, I believe myself to be a more spirit-sensitive person.” The literary icon also revealed that he said he doesn’t like to watch anything adapted from his life or works. “Let me put it this way, turning anything in my life into what other people can watch pains me. It makes me extremely uncomfortable. It’s wrong to say it’s terrific, let me just say I’m detached from it. “It takes me a while to bring myself to watch me.”
- Spirituality
- October 6, 2024
- 136 views
WHY JESUS, APOSTLES DID NOT COLLECT TITHES – ADEBOYE
WHY JESUS, APOSTLES DID NOT COLLECT TITHES – ADEBOYE The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has explained why Jesus Christ did not collect tithes during His ministry on earth. Speaking during the church’s October Holy Ghost Service on Saturday at the Redemption City, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Adeboye clarified this in response to an unnamed RCCG pastor who preached against tithing, citing that Jesus never collected tithes. Adeboye’s comments came shortly after he apologised for previously stating that those who don’t pay tithes may not make it to heaven, also suggesting that 10% tithing is for beginners. The pastor said, “One of my pastors went online and preached a sermon on why people should not pay tithes. I watched the sermon, thinking I would learn something profound. “He said we shouldn’t pay tithes because Jesus didn’t collect tithes. I said, ah, Jesus was not a parish pastor, He was a world evangelist.” He added that he was, however, disappointed because it was a repetition of what others had been saying. “Forgive me for saying so, but it was a very shallow sermon,” he added. In addressing the claim that Jesus did not collect tithes, Adeboye said, “Jesus was not a parish pastor; He was a world evangelist. “The Bible in Luke 8:1-3 tells us that certain women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, supported His ministry financially.” He further emphasised that the apostles did not collect tithes for the same reason because they were not parish pastors. Adeboye concluded with a word of caution, referencing a fellow clergyman who had a group of women supporting his ministry, urging against gathering women solely for that purpose and highlighting the potential for moral missteps in such arrangements.
- Spirituality
- October 5, 2024
- 110 views
RELIGION HAS BLINDED, FINISHED NIGERIANS – VERYDARKMAN
RELIGION HAS BLINDED, FINISHED NIGERIANS – VERYDARKMAN Social media activist, Martins Ortse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), on Friday said religion has “blinded and finished” Nigerians and Africans. VeryDarkMan was reacting to the apology by Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG. The cleric apologized for his earlier claim that Christians that are not paying tithe won’t make heaven. Pastor Adeboye had previously claimed that paying tithe was one of the prerequisites for going to heaven. But addressing his members, the clergyman apologized for the comment which he described as a “mistake”, stressing that the Holy Bible never said such. He emphasised that the Bible says peaceful and holy living are the prerequisites for making heaven. Reacting via his Instagram post, VeryDarkMan said: “I’m happy about what Papa Adeboye revealed so I’m waiting for all those pastors like David Ibieyomie that preach about giving tithe. “The number one man of all the religious people in Nigeria has come out to apologize that he’s sorry for saying if you don’t pay tithe you won’t make heaven; that it’s not in the Bible. “Which other things have they told us is not in the Bible? That’s what I’m concerned about; how many things have they manipulated that is not in the Bible? I’m glad that Papa Adeboye came out to say these things, so imagine the ones that would come out to apologise and have manipulated the people, they have twisted the right words of the Bible to suit their own narratives. “Religion has blinded and finished us in Africa and I will keep talking about how messed up religion has made us, carry your Bible. I’m waiting for those who will come tomorrow and say prayers won’t move Nigeria forward. I hope God will touch papa and the tithe collected will be used to touch the people of the country by creating jobs for millions.”
- Spirituality
- September 28, 2024
- 147 views
PASTOR DIES IN ABUJA WHILE FASTING, PRAYING
PASTOR DIES IN ABUJA WHILE FASTING, PRAYING A pastor identified as John Ogbonna has reportedly died while fasting and praying over the situation of things in Nigeria. The deceased hailed from Ohazara in Ebonyi state. A disturbing video obtained by SaharaReporters shows the lifeless body of Ogbonna on a mountain along Arab Road in Abuja. According to reports, the deceased was fasting and praying in the area before meeting his untimely demise. “Ebonyi people, Ohaozara people, see where our brother ended. Pastor John Ogbonna. He is on mountain along Arab Road in Abuja, where he died since yesterday (September 22). Today is the 23rd day of September, 2024. Please spread this information to reach his family or anyone who knows him,” a voice is heard speaking in Igbo. Speaking to SaharaReporters, a follower of the deceased pastor said, “His lifeless body was discovered alongside his Bible and other prayer materials, causing sorrow among his congregation, who were awaiting his return. “He was known for his deep faith and commitment to spiritual retreats, often going to the mountain for extended periods of prayer. “The church community is mourning the loss of their spiritual leader, praying for his peaceful rest.”
- Spirituality
- August 24, 2024
- 90 views
KUKAH BEMOANS KILLING OF CHRISTIANS IN THE NORTH
KUKAH BEMOANS KILLING OF CHRISTIANS IN THE NORTH Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has bemoaned the continuous persecution of Christians in the North, saying perpetrators are allowed to move freely without facing punishment. He said regardless of the ill-treatment experienced by the church in the North in recent years, not a single individual had been charged to court for those incidents. The bishop stated this virtually during the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Order of the Knights of St Mulumba Nigeria, Eko Subordinate Council, themed: ‘Christian Martyrdom in Nigeria…a Building Block or Stumbling Block to Salvation or Patriotism,’ held in Lagos. He also decried the ethnic colouration that was being given to the Christian faith in Nigeria, stressing that such attitude must be jettisoned. “If you look at our country – Nigeria, the issue is that, in Northern Nigeria, Christians constitute some of the groups that you can kill without consequences. You can ask yourself has anybody ever been charged for burning churches or for destroying Christian properties. “A pastor was slaughtered openly in Adamawa. People, priests were killed in Benue. Priests have been killed in Kaduna. “It seems as if killing Christians is the only thing the world can do without consequences. That means that if you are serious as Christians, Catholics, what happens to the church in Ikwerre, what happens to the church in Sokoto, what happens to the church in Onitsha, what happens to the church everywhere in this country should affect us. “Tragically, you know, Christianity has become largely subordinated to ethnicity. “Many people today still have a caliphate mentality that those who are not part of us must be against us. And this is the fate of Christians and Christianity in many parts of Northern Nigeria today, where Christianity is being tolerated. “Christians are being denied lands to build churches, and it is not seen as a problem. In a place like Kenya, I have a problem of that nature right now as we talk.” Speaking on, Bishop Kukah said they must preach the gospel, whether welcome or unwelcome, adding that it has no political and ethnic boundaries. “It is not about friendship. If it is about friendship, Jesus would have said to Peter, get behind me. When we are confronted, martyrdom is not just about being killed. Because, of course, in the end, you are killed for speaking the truth. “I remember in the days of Abacha, many times people used to say to me, oh Bishop, if you don’t keep quiet, you will be killed for nothing. “I am saying so because we now need to come to terms with the essence that every day of our lives as Christians, we are challenged to martyrdom. Martyrdom because a sword is dangling before us,” he said.
- Spirituality
- August 23, 2024
- 128 views
RESCUED CHRISTIAN GIRL IN YOBE CONVERTED TO ISLAM VOMITED CONCOCTIONS IN CHURCH
RESCUED CHRISTIAN GIRL IN YOBE CONVERTED TO ISLAM, VOMITED CONCOCTIONS IN CHURCH A disturbing report has emerged from Damaturu, Yobe State, revealing that a rescued underage Christian girl, abducted and converted to Islam, vomited concoctions in church. According to the Centre for Justice on Religious and Ethnicity in Nigeria, the girl, Rejoice Markus, was rescued from the Damaturu Emir’s palace and taken to the Anglican Church for deliverance, where she vomited “satanic concoctions” administered through her mouth and private parts. The Centre’s Director General, Rev. Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, alleged that the victims’ placentas were used for rituals. The Anglican Church Bishop and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman in Yobe State, Bishop Audu Yohanna, confirmed that the girl vomited in the church office during prayers. The Centre has given an ultimatum to the abductors to release all other captives, as 30 cases of abductees are currently with the police, according to CAN. The incident highlights the ongoing injustices and iniquities faced by less privileged Nigerians, particularly in the Northeast region. The Centre has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the abduction of underage Christian girls, forced conversion to Islam Rev. Dikwa alleged that Muslims are using the placentas of underage Christian girls who were forcibly converted to Islam for ritual purposes. He stated that when Rejoice Markus was rescued and taken to the church for deliverance, she vomited the concoctions given to her. Other victims, including Elizabeth Bitrus, Deborah Yusuf, Damarin Paul, and Linda Usman, are experiencing similar issues. The Centre has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the abduction of underage Christian girls, forced conversion to Islam, and forced marriages. They have given a 48-hour ultimatum for the release of the abducted girls, failure of which will lead to action from Christian youths. CAN Secretary in Yobe State, Rev. Ibrahim Kure Abagu, confirmed that there are 30 cases of abducted Christian girls being handled by the police. He noted that no non-Muslims are employed or work in the Ministry of Islamic Religious Affairs. The report highlights the ongoing issue of abduction and forced conversion of underage Christian girls in Northern Nigeria, with the Centre and CAN calling for action from the government to address this issue.
- Spirituality
- August 19, 2024
- 123 views
CONGREGANTS EXCHANGE BLOWS IN ABUJA CHURCH, DAMAGE PROPERTY
CONGREGANTS EXCHANGE BLOWS IN ABUJA CHURCH, DAMAGE PROPERTY Church service abruptly ended at the United Methodist Church in the Durumi area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as congregants engaged in a serious fight. The fight, which went on for hours, resulted in damage to some of the church’s property and required intervention from FCT command operatives to bring it under control. Newsmen gathered that frantic efforts initially made by the police to stop the fight proved abortive until tear gas was released. It was further gathered that the police locked the church, dismissed the members, and took some of the elders to the station for interrogation. A church member, speaking anonymously to journalists, expressed displeasure over the conflict, saying that there had been a rift among the church elders concerning the decision to separate from their headquarters in the United States. The member added that the conflict arose from the church headquarters legalizing practices that are foreign to Nigeria’s culture. The member said, “Our headquarters is in America and they have legalized some practices that are not part of our culture. Some elders were of the view that we should pull out, and give the church another name. But another set of elders kicked against the move. This created a faction in the church. At a point, they wanted to go to court, but I cannot say why they did not end up going. “Today, while addressing the church during the service, our pastor announced that they would be heading to the court and expressed his wish that the church remain with the headquarters. That was what instigated the fight. I have never seen such a thing before in my life. The fight was so serious that when the police came they did not stop until they fired teargas. Some of the church elders were taken to the station for interrogation after the whole thing. “ When contacted, the FCT Command Police Spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incidennt. She added that the Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, had invited the church elders to his office on Monday. Adeh said, “The CP has invited all the church elders to come to the command by 10 am on Monday, August 19.
- Spirituality
- August 19, 2024
- 184 views
NIGERIANS MOCK ADEBOYE OVER CLAIM THAT ANOINTED HANDKERCHIEF RESURRECTED DEAD WOMAN AFTER 11 DAYS
NIGERIANS MOCK ADEBOYE OVER CLAIMS THAT ANOINTED HANDKERCHIEF RESURRECTED DEAD WOMAN AFTER 11 DAYS Nigerians have reacted to claims of the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, who claimed that a handkerchief he anointed raised a dead woman.In an old video clip making the rounds on social media, Adeboye, during a sermon, mentioned that his church member used a handkerchief he had anointed to resurrect the dead woman who had been embalmed after she died eleven days ago. Adeboye said, “A young man who is working in Lagos was told his sister died in the east of Nigeria, and he told them they should not bury her yet that he will get permission from his place of work so he can be there. “By the time he got permission and was able to arrive, the woman had been dead for 11 days. They have embalmed her and kept her in the house. “But he had a handkerchief that had been anointed by us. He entered and carried the baby of the woman who died because the woman had a little baby before she died. “He entered the room, laid the handkerchief on her, and commanded, ‘I command you in the name of the God of Adeboye, arise.’ “Then he started going out of the room. When he got to the door, he heard a sound behind him, he turned to see the sister sitting up.” The claims by Adeboye have generated reactions from Nigerians, with many calling the testimony “audio,” a term that means “a lie” in the Nigerian pidgin. Chronicle NG highlights some of the reactions of Nigerians to Adeboye’s claims below. Obidile Stephen, “The problem with these miracles is none of them was ever witnessed by someone. No names attached to it, no hospital claiming it happened, no documentation. Just the pastors version of it.” Ayomilekan, “You have all these powers, and you can’t pray for better governance or what? Man, I don’t think I can ever believe these unless testimony. He can do that again on someone else in my presence.” Tedy Jerry, “He used to be the man. So it’s possible. Now, he’s deviated from the calling. 100% politics. If not, you could still use that anointed handkerchief and wipe Nigeria’s wicked leaders out.” David Oghe, “This man and his lies. 11 days dead, arose just by the touch of a handkerchief anointed by him; why is that the wonders don’t break the news; these miracles are only known by him? Where is the video of testimony? Why has the man or the sister never shown up on TV to share their tales? From one lie to another. The painful part is, doctors in the church too believe this lie, fully knowing the impossibility of it.” Moh, “Nobody, I repeat, nobody can bring anyone back from the dead, and this man is taking his followers for granted. I don’t care how brainwashed you are; this is not true.” Elijah, “I know some people will take this testimony serious. Baba is just narrating a Nigerian Hollywood movie.” Onyinyechi Okwu, “All he needs is a straight and serious face to unleash such wicked nonsense on the pulverised brains of his victims who have no knowledge of the abuse they are being subjected to by these conmen collaborating with the people in government to hold them down.” Obiora Otu, “The era of ignorance is gone. People know the truth about religion and all the lies that pastors propagate just to rip the gullible off their wealth.” Miji Hadiza, “This man is old. He needs to step aside now and allow another pastor to take over. The people around him should help him.” Ubuntu, “Getting increasingly…
- Spirituality
- August 16, 2024
- 238 views
ENUGU INDIGENES REJECT ANAMBRA MAN POSTED AS BISHOP
ENUGU INDIGENES REJECT ANAMBRA MAN POSTED AS BISHOP In a move that has sparked widespread outrage and protests, the Anglican Church in Nigeria has elected Ven. Prof. Sam Ike, an Anambra man, as the new bishop of Enugu Diocese. The election, which took place on August 13, 2023, in Abuja, has been rejected by the indigenes of Enugu State, who claim that the process was unfair and did not reflect the will of the people. According to a petition written by Kingsley Okah, a justice advocate, on behalf of the people of Enugu, the election outcome is a clear indication of the church’s insensitivity and disregard for fairness and justice. The petition alleged that Ven. Prof. Ike is a puppet of the retired Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, who has been accused of atrocities during his tenure in Enugu. The protesters argued that the Anglican Church has consistently marginalized the people of Enugu, citing the fact that the first bishop of Enugu was from Anambra, and the immediate past bishop was from Asaba. The petition demanded that the church hierarchy revisit the election outcome, citing the need for fairness and justice. It also threatened to explore legal means to assert their rights and borrow strategies from the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, which successfully rejected Okpaleke. The Enugu controversy has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many calling for the church to address the concerns of the Enugu indigenes and ensure fairness and justice in its decision-making processes.
- Spirituality
- August 15, 2024
- 168 views
IRAN’S JESUS REVOLUTION: ONE MILLION MUSLIMS ACCEPT CHRIST
IRAN’S JESUS REVOLUTION: ONE MILLION MUSLIMS ACCEPT CHRIST “You have a country with one of the highest drug addiction rates in the world. You have a country where corruption runs rampant. You have a country where more than half the people live below the poverty line,” explained Todd Nettleton of The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). “And the people of Iran are looking at this and they are saying, ‘Wait a minute. If this is what Islam has brought us in the last 45 years, we’re not interested. We want to know what the other options are.’” According to Nettleton, Vice President of Messaging at VOM, the faith option many are choosing is Jesus with at least a million Muslims reportedly leaving Islam for Christianity. So, how is the regime reacting to this with a reported 50,000 of the country’s 75,000 mosques now closed? “This is not something that is making the regime happy. And, really, in many ways, they are seeking to solidify their power and to crush any kind of dissent,” Nettleton said. “We have heard multiple stories this year of Bible study, a home church being raided. “Everyone there is photographed, everyone there is questioned. But then the leader of the meeting is held on to. They are arrested. They are detained, they’re put in prison.” Moreover, Nettleton contends family members and friends are more tolerant than the government about leaving Islam. “They kind of have the attitude of, ‘Hey, if you found something that works for you, if it’s Jesus or if it’s atheism or if it’s whatever, if it works for you… I know Islam doesn’t work, so I’m happy you found something that works,’” he explained. “I think what’s happening there is actually representative of what’s happening in the Islamic world,” said Don Shenk, executive director of The Tide Ministry. He explains how Muslims are experiencing dreams and visions, leading many to find purpose and a different understanding of God. “We get responses from listeners who say, you know, now I understand that God loves me. I always thought that God wanted to punish me,” Shenk explained. “And I think there’s an awakening that is taking place across the Muslim world, not just in Iran.” Shenk says Tide Ministry radio broadcasts are even receiving positive responses in Afghanistan where the Taliban pose great danger for those seeking information from secret Christians within the country. “There’s a lot of suspicion, okay. If I’m going to meet with these people and share that I’m now a believer, ‘Are they really true believers or are they, just trying to identify me?’” he said. “It’s more than simply being ostracized or disowned by your family. It is actually the threat of death. So, accepting new life in Christ means accepting the possibility of your life ending in this world.” Christianity is also spreading in Yemen, where the Joshua Project reports Christian growth is almost double the global average. Next door, Nettleton sees the Saudi Arabian monarchy becoming a bit more tolerant of Christians and their churches. “Not necessarily welcoming with open arms, obviously. But just the understanding that it could happen, that there could be Christians here,” he explained. “And maybe that’s not the worst thing in the world. That’s such a change from what we would have seen 10 or 15 or 20 years ago.” It’s a move of God’s Spirit bringing change that may eventually transform not only Iran but the entire Middle East.