Corruption is characterised by extreme immorality and dishonest exploitation of power or wealth for personal gains. Today, its modes are endless and exists in almost all spheres of the society and among all levels of authority.

Children lose their innocence readily to corruption in examination rooms, right from the primary school levels. It continues to eat them up as they grow into secondary schools and subsequently higher institutions. Afterwards, they become full blown corrupt adults who, by the way, have always been adherents of one faith.

These same individuals, who have dug deep into government and the corporate world simply because they have access to it, are also given all sorts of titles in all spheres — traditional, educational, communal and, unfortunately, religious.

Religion is a sacred relationship with the Creator which plays a part in human culture. It forms the most revered part of human existence. Every religion has a leader who directs, guides and counsels in all matters of faith. He is a custodian of its tenets and principles. All religions uphold the highest level of integrity, dignity, morality and all forms of virtue. A religion is naturally opposed to corruption which is embedded in deceit, dishonesty and fraud. Our country, thankfully, is a religious one. Despite the fact that most Nigerians hold firmly and dearly to their faith, corruption persists. We must therefore analyse religion as an anecdote endangered. Without pondering too far, the onus rests on the heads of these institutions.
Wealth, today, is not only a matter of status but a symbol of the magnitude of God’s blessing as asserted by religious leaders; the source of the wealth being immaterial. Endless sermons on prosperity and less on salvation of the soul is the order of the day. Sermons on death, which is certain for all, is avoided like a plague and the worshippers are fed with sermons on the life of this world alone — how to live in it in affluence and prosperity without bounds.

The rich rule the world and have all the authority. The poor dare not speak in a gathering where the rich are. It seems a crime or a curse to be poor. The poor are outcasts in the society and despairingly in religious gatherings. They must wait for their rewards in heaven.

From the look of things, Nigerian religious leaders are totally reliant on members’ donations. Couldn’t there be really additional means of sustenance such that they can be selective in reception of donations?

Do religious leaders of today truly uphold the teachings of the founders of their faiths? All faiths have a core similarity of piety and moderation as the practice of the founders. None of them lived like kings as our modern religious leaders are wont to do. Sermons have become selective to the whims of the worshippers. Nigerians are so consumed with various vices which they have no plans of dropping, even as they hold on tenaciously to a religious identity. They do not want sermons condemning their immorality, corruption and blood shedding.

Religion is meant to be the ideal model for man. Yet, with its elements astray, a tainted model can’t yield the same expected spotless result of a corrupt-free society. Materialism, which is the root of corruption, has tainted the idealism of religious leaders. Religion has always appreciated hard work which, with a good blend of time management should, in no way, affect religious obligations. Thus, the body and soul get fed with legitimate earnings.

Why has the trend of religious practices today derailed from the original practice? Initially, religion was pristine and revered. Its laws were observed to the letter, unlike today where laws are made to be broken. A minute branch of corruption such as lying, is today taken so lightly that it is considered impossible not to lie.

The onus is on religious leaders to return to the basis of their religion. If religious matters are watered down, what then is left of the society which looks up to religion for direction? The function of religion is yet unrivalled and this is what religious leaders need to employ and deploy in winning hearts, not for the institution of treasury but in thirst for God’s will and favour which translates to the common good of the society at large.

If religious leaders fear men more than God, what should be expected of a mere member of the congregation? It is the fear of losing members that make religious leaders selective in their sermons in order not to offend the sensibilities of members who fornicate, commit adultery, steal, cheat, lie, etc. Mere numbers shouldn’t count, but worth.

Religious leaders can also go a long way in curbing corruption by deemphasising the overt recognition of the wealthy. They should begin to ask questions about questionable donations. They should also become totally selective in their acceptance of donations/charity. This would go a long way in dissuading shady characters from bringing their ill gotten wealth as donations for fear of rejection. With less places to show off their ill gotten wealth, there should be less drive to acquire these wealth.

Furthermore, there should also be a balanced recognition of material as well as physical commitment. The world we live in is so materialistic that the tide has crept into religious institutions. The poor are left with no place of solace, as their humble devotion is hardly recognised in religious gathering. Not only do these leaders aid the corrupt, they also help in stirring up corrupt intent in the hearts of those yearning for a place of recognition. All these could be nipped in the bud by downplaying material acquisition.

If only everyone could sit back and weigh the supposed gains of corruption against its ills, we’d begin to be more responsible. The greatest of all burdens lie on religious leaders as custodians of faith.





http://www.punchng.com/opinion/corruption-and-our-religious-leaders/

While one religion preaches prosperity the other preaches hatred for other religions and their members. The result is corruption and wanton killing of innocent people by blind and misguided people. The only set of people I regard as sincere are those who visits houses on Sundays to preach love and the Kingdom of God to their neighbours.

Can't agree more with the above comment