I can live with the fact that millions of adults believe in talking snakes and donkeys because their holy books state so. But when a pastor claims to resurrect dead people, cure all kinds of diseases and to have driven a car without fuel and professors of medicine, law, engineering, history and so on believe these to be true then I have a serious concern about the system that trained and nurtured them. Believing that donkeys and snakes talk because the Bible states so is one thing (religion). But to believe that Pastor Adeboye resurrects dead people, cures illnesses and drives his car without fuel is the height of stupidity. And I do not mean this in any disrespectful way.
The Nigerian Vice President is a professor of law. And he is an ardent follower of Pastor Adeboye. In fact, he is a pastor in Adeboye's church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). From what I understand, Prof. Osinbajo is the head of Nigeria's economic team. Guess what he will be doing in less than two week's time? He will be leading a 30,000 man-convention to pray for the economic prosperity of Nigeria and to avert recession
President Barack Obama co-authored last month's issue of Wired in which he discussed cutting-age scientific breakthroughs including artificial intelligence . I was very impressed by the depth and breadth of his knowledge. For those who may not know, he is a professor of law just like our Vice President. The difference is that Prof. Osinbajo is a disciple and supporter of the man who makes his living by exploiting the desperation of our most vulnerable and gullible citizens. This man sells our old, infirmed, poor, desperate, vulnerable and credulous citizens false hope in exchange for their money.
Time and again Nigeria's intelligentsia, the people who should enlighten the society, have proven themselves to be no smarter than the people with no academic qualifications. Our respected Dr. Reuben Abati recently told us about the existence of witches in the Presidential Villa and how some residents of Aso Rock walk around on their heads. This man advised our former president for 5 years. Of course, President Goodluck Jonathan himself holds a doctorate from one of our universities. When Bishop Oyedepo assaulted the young woman who described herself as "witch for Jesus," he was cheered by his congregation which has a high representation of very educated Nigerians. Just last week, another respected Nigerian pastor tweeted that mental illness is caused by sin and medical doctors (including psychiatrists) were all over the spot defending this absurd statement. It is professionals and highly educated people like them and the likes of Prof. Osinbanjo who validate the charlatans I euphemistically refer to as pastorpreneurs.
Pastor Sam Adeyemi's tweet is ignorant because it lacks evidence and is supported only by folklores and myths such as the ones in the book where snakes and donkeys talk with perfect human diction, a man walks on water, a virgin gives birth without having sex, dead people are brought back to life and a man atop a chariot flies in the sky. I do not understand how anyone can spend 6 years in medical school, not counting 12 years of primary and secondary education, and defend the ignorant statement that mental illness is caused by sin (and demons). What is the point of education if not to unchain the mind?
Adeboye's vision for members of his church to secure senior political appointments has everything to do with safeguarding his interests and privileges and nothing to do with a desire for good governance for Nigerians. The man is only interested in lining his pocket and acquiring power and influence by proxy. I am not convinced he cares about his followers whose donations built his schools and universities. He would make these facilities affordable and accessible to them if he cared. Adeboye has the ears of influential people in government but where is justice for the 14-year old Christian girl that the Emir of Katsina is alleged to have married? Eunice got murdered by a Muslim mob while carrying out duties for Adeboye (to win converts who will then donate their tithes and offerings to RCCG), but there has not been a public statement from Adeboye. Why?
If one person believed the claims a religion makes about itself, we would call them odd, stupid, mad or a looney. You would call me mad if I told you half of the things said by Jesus such as "eat my flesh and drink my blood, and you will be saved" or the notion that epilepsy is caused by demons. You would laugh at me if I said, "you will burn in hell forever except you believe a pink unicorn lives in my backyard." But if I can persuade a billion people to believe my claims then I am a prophet and my delusions are no longer known as delusions. They are now called religion. Religion and superstitions are the bane of development in this country and the rest of Africa.
Like President Goodluck Jonathan, I believe Prof. Osinbajo is a nice person. But that is not enough. We need visionary leadership. It does not feel me with confidence to know that the Vice President of my country believes prayers will avert recession and bring us economic prosperity. I find the idea troubling because it suggests he lacks a plan for the economy. It suggests a state of helplessness. Are his prayers going to increase the price of crude oil? Will they end corruption? Will they formulate the right economic policies? Prayers cannot grow amputated limbs, so why should they grow the economy? The Chinese, Japanese and the Scandinavians achieved economic prosperity through meticulous planning and an understanding of world affairs, not by kneeling and saying prayers to a bearded man in the sky. It is up to Prof. Osinbajo what he chooses to do or believe as a private citizen, but we employed him as the Vice President of our country to use his intellect, not prayers and fasting, to solve the man-made problems facing our nation. I regret to say I have sufficient cause to worry about his judgment and competence.
Ijabla is a medical doctor and a humanist. He writes from the U.K.
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