It has
been recently announced by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian
Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, that the church would build
a three-kilometres long auditorium in Nigeria. The statement has prompted
controversy among Nigerians, with some calling the investment a “waste” and yet
another confirmation that Nigerian churches are veering off the religious
teachings.
Pastor Adeboye claims that the
existing auditorium, built in 2000 with a capacity to sit one million people at
once, could no longer accommodate millions of people who attend service.
The new auditorium which would be
built at the mission’s camp ground at km 46, Lagos-Ibadan expressway would also
be three kilometres wide. This will make the auditorium a humongous 9km square
auditorium, and one of the top ten churches in the world in area size.
The Holy Ghost Service was one of
the programmes lined up for the 61st Annual Convention of the church, and
Adeboye promised that the project will start soon and will be completed before
the 62nd Convention in August 2014. He solicited for donations from members
toward making the project a reality.
But not long after the announcement
was made public that Nigerians reacted angrily on social media with many
describing churches in the country as business centres.
According to one reader, Adeboye
should rather build a three-kilometre farm land and employ a million unemployed
youths in Nigeria instead of wasting money on a building.
“So what impact will this have on
the common man? More queues on Lagos-Ibadan Express Way, making life unbearable
for travellers on Lagos-Ibadan route whenever programmes are going on,” said
another reader, adding, “While I commend such vision, I think the billions of
naira that will be used for such project could do the common man good if such
is used to build affordable hospitals, schools, scholarships and provide basic
needs for the common man.”
According to yet another user,
Nigerians are hungry and unemployment rate is sky-high but churches are wasting
their resources on buildings and other investments rather than tackling
poverty.
“Why not use that money to build a
non-profit organisation and employ our youths?” he queried.
Another reader thinks that, despite
constant prayers, deliverance services and vigils in these big churches,
Nigeria remains stuck in darkness and corruption.
“If they like, they should convert
the whole of Oyo State and Ogun State to church there’s still nothing to show
for it . No light. Even the General Overseer has more bodyguards than
government officials and moves about in Helicopter/Private jet,” he said,
adding that the road to Adeboye’s church is a death trap.
According to another’s opinion,
“Building long auditourium means more tithe. For God’s sake, these churches can
industrialise Nigeria!”
Others reckon Nigeria needs jobs and
not competing in being among the largest church in the world: “We can see
clearly that all the countries that have these large churches are economically
stable in terms of infrastructure and job creation, unlike Nigeria that any
idea by church only benefits the immediate people at the top . We read about
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they were all farmers creating jobs for their
followers and not people that expand churches.”
To one reader, religion is the bane
of Nigeria: “I have said it time without number that religion is the bane of
our country. Remove religion from the affairs of man and there will be peace. I
have watched closely some of our colleagues who have been brainwashed to
believe that prayers from the so-called men of God is all that is required to
be saved,” he said, adding that church followers believe and swallow everything
they are told by their pastors.
Another reader said he would not
mind being given the contract for the fencing of the church.
Some say it is good news Nigerians
are waking up from spritual hypnotism: “They (Nigerian pastors) are worse than
armed robbers. They are con artists who are not afraid of God’s punishment.
Some of Nollywood actors and actresses have also dumped acting and joined these
con artists because, it is more lucrative than acting or 419 business.”
