Otumfuo Bares His Mind (4): The Abuse Of Religion

By I. K. Gyasi
'Sometimes, when you listen to some of our new crop of pastors and prophets, you wonder whether it is the Holy Ghost that is empowering the citadels of Satan, or Satan who is invading the House of God.' – Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene. (May 17, 2013)

When Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, mounted the platform of the NCCE's Constitution Week observance, one of the things that concerned him was the state of religion in Ghana today.

In addition to the words quoted above, he also stated,' Somebody up there must be striving to protect the souls of vulnerable Ghanaians who are falling prey to those promising instant visas to the Pearly City.'

He added, 'The danger in preventing the word of God is all too real, and it is not making the lives of Ghanaians any better.'

There is no doubt that religion has always exerted a very powerful influence in the lives of human beings, since the beginning of time.

Most religious beliefs, if not all of them, teach an after-life of bliss for those who did good deeds while on earth and a life of torment for those who committed sins.

It is my opinion that religion aims at making people morally better human beings, by pointing out what is good and what is evil. This is the case, whether we mention traditional religion, Islam or mainstream Christianity.

Undoubtedly, an overwhelming number of Ghanaians believe, not only in the existence of a Supreme Being, but also in an after-life. Ghanaians throng houses of prayer, namely churches/chapels, no mosques, synagogues, etc. to pray to God, sing His praises, and request that their wishes be granted.

Until fairly recently, most of us were familiar with the existence of the so-called Orthodox churches, namely Catholicism, Methodism, Anglicanism, and Presbyterianism. The Salvation Army also existed, but it did not appear to be prominent as the others mentioned above.

What put all these churches into common bracket were the sedateness and solemnity that characterised the services in the churches.

The Methodist or Anglican or Presbyterian priest usually preached from a pulpit placed well above the heads of the congregation. The priestly robes were very much in evidence.

Came Communion time, and the Catholic faithful lined up before the Catholic priest to receive communion – wafer and wine blessed beforehand.

The piano accompanied the singing of the choir. The collection of the offertory was also a solemn affair. There was nothing extravagant or 'secular' about the whole ceremony.

Came a new breed of Christianity - Charismatism and Pentecostalism. The singing was retained to the accompaniment of the piano.

But the robes were discarded, and congregants did not have to stretch their necks to see their pastor up there, giving them spiritual food.

Today, Orthodox has to fight a battle, not only with the Pentecostal and Charismatics, but also with new crops of liturgy or worship introduced by the virtually one-person churches.

The decibel of the musical instrument is raised so high that there is always the danger of having one's eardrums perforated by the sound.

Curiously, the congregants do not seem to care. Song ministration, congregants dance and dance away their sorrows.

The collection of the offertory is also accompanied by drum music. As in the song ministration ritual, the offertory dance is sometimes lewd. One questions oneself if this is the House of God.

Unfortunately, to stay alive and relevant, the so-called Orthodox Churches have been forced to borrow some of these practices, not to talk of all-right services.

Indeed, as noted by the Asantehene, the word of God is in grave danger of being perverted by some of these one-person so-called houses of God.

Some of us have come to believe in instant miracle, and these one-person churches are ready to exploit the insecurity and gullibility of people.

The other day, a friend told of one 'miracle' performed by a so-called pastor. He 'cured' a person of his hunchback. How was that done?

A balloon, which had previously been inflated, was placed on the back of the 'sick' person. At the 'right' time, the pastor surreptitiously punctured the balloon with a pin. Hey presto, the man was cured.

There is the story of how one of these high-priced televangelists, with a church and large following, connived with someone to 'cure' him of his 'blindness'.

The 'miracle' cure was effected when this televangelist organised a crusade in one of the regions where this 'blind man' was planted.

Sometimes, at the end of the 'preaching' on radio or television, the pastor tells listeners or viewers to place one hand on the radio or television set, and another hand where the sickness is. He then starts praying to miraculously 'cure' your sickness.

One pastor has been heard claiming that a woman who had undergone surgery to have her womb removed still managed to have a baby, after prayers by this pastor.

Recently on television, a woman who claimed she could not lift her arm instantly, managed to do so after a few seconds prayer by the pastor.

If you ask these pastors why they do not go to our hospitals to cure the sick, the escape clause is that the person has to have faith. Simple and short!

So, anointed water, anointed oil, porridge, handkerchiefs, etc. are being sold to these deluded victims of these unscrupulous so-called men and women of God.

Do you want a job? Do you want to obtain a visa? Do you want a husband or wife? Do you want a cure for impotence or barrenness? Are you afflicted by the spirit of witches?

Look no further. Right at that corner, there is a 'man' or 'woman' of God who has a solution to all your problems. Just pay the right amount of money to make him or her rich, and your needs or wants will be met.

Vulnerable Ghanaians, as the Asantehene noted, are clearly falling prey to those so-called pastors (and Muslims 'Mallams' as well) who are nothing more than charlatans, criminals and rogues prepared to enrich themselves overnight. Only God can save us.