Beware of religious capitalism

By Rev. Father John Damian Adizie, OCD

People often mistake Christianity with what I may call religious capital-ism. They attack Christianity not knowing that they are actually attacking religious capitalism. With this reflection you will soon discover that Christianity has little or nothing to do with Religious Capitalism; you will also discover that what most people are practic-ing in Africa, especially here in Nigeria, is not Christianity but Religious Capitalism.

Religious Capitalism is a system of belief where money (capital) is revered as ultimate value. It is a system of worship where the rich are celebrated over and above the poor, a system where the rich are getting richer while the poor get poorer. It is a system where reli-gious leaders are chosen on tribal and financial, a system of religion where some states or tribes be-lieve that they are born to rule others.

In Religious Capitalism the lucky men of God occupy the rich parishes while the unfortunate ones, especially those whose names are in the black book of the superiors, are posted to poor pa-rishes. In a capitalist system of religion, men of God are not rated based on their level of spiritual growth or the number of souls they were able to win into God’s king-dom but based on how much they are able to submit to their General Overseer or Bishop.

Religious capitalism is a system of religion where missionary schools and hospitals built with poor people’s tithes and offerings are so expensive that the poor can-not afford to send their children. It is a system of religion where the poor people who clean the church on a daily basis are never recognized whereas the rich ones who visit the church once in a while are celebrated.

Religious capitalism is that system of religion where the so-called men of God, religious leaders, are busy serving the in-terest of the rich. It is a system where the rich, especially corrupt politicians, are decorated with all kinds of awards even when it is obvious that they are not serving the interest of the masses. It is a system where rich sinners are canonized as saints while they are still alive!

Religious capitalism is a system of religion where people are allowed to tell lies so as to raise more money for the church pro-jects, a system where religious lies are justified as holy lies. It is a system of religion where the poor have to borrow money to pay church levies. In this system, the poor are denied some basic sacraments and other spiritual benefits because of money.

Religious capitalism is a system where the rich people’s crimes are justified. It is a system where poor people are mandated to be buried two weeks after death whereas the burial of the rich can be ex-tended as long as they want. It is a system of religion where people commit all kinds of atrocities and get away with them in the name of confession.

Religious capitalism is a system of religion where people imp-overish their fellow members through seed sowing, tithing and offering without considering their financial statue. It is that system of religion where some arrogant ones claim ownership of the Church either because of their wealth or positions in the church.

Religious capitalism is the system of religion where people believe that the more money you sow into the church treasury the more likely you are to inherit God’s kingdom; it does not even matter if the one is a ritualist or a kidnapper. It is a system where the rich are considered as those in heaven whereas the poor are seen as those in purgatory or even in hell fire.

Religious capitalism is a system of religion where the front seats are reserved for special person-alities in the church. It is the system where the poor ones can be asked to leave their seats and position in the church at any time within the service for those that are considered more important; a system where people go to church only to showcase their latest fash-ions.

Religious capitalism is a system of religion where people have access to the men of God, esp-ecially the General Overseers based on how much scratch cards they are able to buy. It is a system where the poor one’s have little or no access to the men of God. The only number Men of God usually respond to, are numbers of those who partner with their ministry; others can go to hell.

With these definitions, you can agree with me that most church goers, especially those who claim to be Christians, are not in any way following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. In our next reflection we shall try to establish the essence of Christianity.

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