Opinion / Columnist
When religion and prophecy has lost its way
13 Jul 2016 at 10:27hrs | Views
"This is a year of great harvest as there will be no depression and sorrows," the United Families International Church leader, Emmanuel Makandiwa predicted this statement at the beginning of 2016 and gave people the much needed optimism after a difficult 2015. Halfway through the year whilst people are still waiting for the fulfilment of that prophecy, the man of God is at it again this time he sees Zimbabwe as being "on a verge of an implosion" and has gone as far as wading into the succession politics of the country by "seeing a person coming from outside, who was running towards the people of Zimbabwe". Forgive many a Zimbabweans for being sceptical, are these prophecies from the Almighty or fabrications from religious leaders who have their own agendas and have of late cast the die by clamouring for the removal of a duly elected leader.
Religious leaders especially of the Christian denomination have of late been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. One would actually think religious leaders have taken over the place of opposition politics in the country to the spiritual detriment of their congregants. A Kariba pastor Patrick Mugadza, was arrested in Victoria Falls last year for demonstrating against President Robert Mugabe's alleged misrule, Shingi Munyeza, a senior pastor Faith Ministries in Harare has been making a nuisance of himself wading into the unchartered territory of politics and "pastor" Evan Mawarire has gone a step further in calling for a revolt against the ruling government. Whilst a little-known Christian Voice International-Zimbabwe (CVI-Z) has been calling for the coalition of opposition political parties to form " a formidable force" in a bid to push the ZANU PF government from power. It has real been a flurry of activities amongst the men of the cloth trying to outdo each other in influencing the politics of the day.
Which begs the question, what is the role of the church in society. Many agree that religion is a valuable asset for society; it encourages healthier lifestyles which resultantly leads to higher life expectancies; its followers are less likely to suffer from depression, have more stable marriages, are less likely to engage in criminal activity, and are more generous in contributing to the common good. For Christians, their exemplar Christ, left a model for his followers to follow his footsteps (1 Peter 3:21). Jesus was never involved in the politics of his day, his purpose was to preach about the Kingdom of God as the means to human salvation. Have the pastors who have been dubbing in the politics of the country following Jesus's example. I think NOT. I would like to believe these are the "wolves in sheep clothing" that Jesus spoke of. These men of God should be encouraging people to "continue …. to be in subjection and to be obedient to governments and authorities" (Titus 3:1). Instead they have lost their way and would like Zimbabweans to follow them to the precipice.
Instead of bringing religion into disrepute these people should quit and join fulltime political activism and leave people with a calling to give people of God their spiritual food, which has been overshadowed by preaching politics. I would to believe these purported pastors have turned the pulpit into political stages depriving genuine Christians with a thirst for the word of God.
Christians in Zimbabwe should say no to these rogue pastors who have done nothing but cause populace despondent by their out-of-this-world prophecies and political activism. They should be helping build Zimbabwe and not help the country' enemies tear it down. In these difficult times people seek religion to have a message of hope but if political pastors have filled the clergy where are the people going to find their resting place.
The country have plenty of opposition parties, numerous to even mention who can challenge government come election time. Zimbabwe remains a democratic country where freedom of association with any political outfit is enjoyed. What people won't tolerate are fly-by night pastors who abuse their position in society to influence the outcome of politics in the country. These "pastors" should quit short-changing congregates by dubbing into political activism, the door is open for them to join any political party of their choice and leave pastorhood to men with a genuine calling.
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Mandla Nsingo <nsingoma@gmail.com
Religious leaders especially of the Christian denomination have of late been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. One would actually think religious leaders have taken over the place of opposition politics in the country to the spiritual detriment of their congregants. A Kariba pastor Patrick Mugadza, was arrested in Victoria Falls last year for demonstrating against President Robert Mugabe's alleged misrule, Shingi Munyeza, a senior pastor Faith Ministries in Harare has been making a nuisance of himself wading into the unchartered territory of politics and "pastor" Evan Mawarire has gone a step further in calling for a revolt against the ruling government. Whilst a little-known Christian Voice International-Zimbabwe (CVI-Z) has been calling for the coalition of opposition political parties to form " a formidable force" in a bid to push the ZANU PF government from power. It has real been a flurry of activities amongst the men of the cloth trying to outdo each other in influencing the politics of the day.
Which begs the question, what is the role of the church in society. Many agree that religion is a valuable asset for society; it encourages healthier lifestyles which resultantly leads to higher life expectancies; its followers are less likely to suffer from depression, have more stable marriages, are less likely to engage in criminal activity, and are more generous in contributing to the common good. For Christians, their exemplar Christ, left a model for his followers to follow his footsteps (1 Peter 3:21). Jesus was never involved in the politics of his day, his purpose was to preach about the Kingdom of God as the means to human salvation. Have the pastors who have been dubbing in the politics of the country following Jesus's example. I think NOT. I would like to believe these are the "wolves in sheep clothing" that Jesus spoke of. These men of God should be encouraging people to "continue …. to be in subjection and to be obedient to governments and authorities" (Titus 3:1). Instead they have lost their way and would like Zimbabweans to follow them to the precipice.
Instead of bringing religion into disrepute these people should quit and join fulltime political activism and leave people with a calling to give people of God their spiritual food, which has been overshadowed by preaching politics. I would to believe these purported pastors have turned the pulpit into political stages depriving genuine Christians with a thirst for the word of God.
Christians in Zimbabwe should say no to these rogue pastors who have done nothing but cause populace despondent by their out-of-this-world prophecies and political activism. They should be helping build Zimbabwe and not help the country' enemies tear it down. In these difficult times people seek religion to have a message of hope but if political pastors have filled the clergy where are the people going to find their resting place.
The country have plenty of opposition parties, numerous to even mention who can challenge government come election time. Zimbabwe remains a democratic country where freedom of association with any political outfit is enjoyed. What people won't tolerate are fly-by night pastors who abuse their position in society to influence the outcome of politics in the country. These "pastors" should quit short-changing congregates by dubbing into political activism, the door is open for them to join any political party of their choice and leave pastorhood to men with a genuine calling.
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Mandla Nsingo <nsingoma@gmail.com
Source - Mandla Nsingo
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