As 2011 kicks off, the global economy is struggling along, South Africans are moaning about government, traffic lights are still not working, AIDS is still a reality and crime dominates the papers.
I heard some disturbing stories of a woman belonging to a popular charismatic church in Johannesburg while I was on holiday. Her husband was in jail for committing a serious crime, her family was in desperate need for financial support and she turned to the church for support.
Unfortunately, her new found faith in the church was short lived. She was destitute, financially crippled and the only thing she had was the clothes in her cupboard and the house she lived in. The church insisted that she sell all her furniture and everything she owns and donate the money to Jesus.
Let’s be realistic here. Jesus died a long time ago and does not need the money of a poor and destitute woman to spread His word. Christianity is the largest and richest religion on the planet so a couple of thousand rand from a destitute follower is not going to make a massive dent, unless it ends up in the preacher’s pockets.
Needless to say the woman fell for the ploy and as a result, she has no home, lost her family and lives on the streets of Johannesburg.
Now someone please tell me... Does religion feed on the fear of the masses to make a quick buck? Well, it certainly seems like it.
I believe that there is value to be found in religion. However, I also believe that churches that fool the underprivileged into buying their faith should be shut down.
Just, putting it out there...
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