johnny1980:
Guy quit it. Hero worship is a global phenomenom that transcends poverty and social strata. There are people who sold their houses in the US before year 2000 because their pastors told them the world was ending before the new millenium. This were fairly rich and educated people and we still have millions of them around the world. Narrowing it to Africa is actually inferiority complex as you believe everything bad that happens, happens because we are blacks and can't think. That's a racial stereotype. You know how many whites that can't point to the American continent on a map and can't make simple logical judgements? Millions of them.

onegig:
Your last line is not true. Yeah, seeking hope or being overtly superstitious push most people into following things like zombies but it happens in all facets of human life.

Have you seen how some people gobble whatever rubbish a celebrity say just because they see them as demigods? This also happens in the intellectual and financial field. People looking up to Professors, High ranking CEOs, Rich men and so on as gods.

The problem isn't religion, it is man's innate crave for a "superman" entity that can help them navigate the murky waters of life. Nothing wrong with this but when such Superman thingy turns to HEROWORSHIP then it's a big problem because all logical reasoning is lost at that point and the soul is already owned by this hero to do whatever they like with it. Religion is just more susceptible to such scenarios because of the need for the "sheep and leader" process that most religious denominations requires.

One reason i have apathy to organized religion's use of a "preacher" or "head" to dictate to people how to live their lives. They most times (90% of the time) end up putting their own colouration to such messages and messing things up badly. Best bet is for everyone to pick their holy books and make personal inferences from whatever they read there. It's simple but impossible for majority of humans because they can't "think and reflect" for themselves.

tammie24:


So you don't believe in Jesus Christ?

standd:


The bolded is the key. Plus the half-baked unproductive education they subject the folks who can't afford quality education to, makes a whole lot of people susceptible to a truckload of Bullshit.

plaetton:


No jazz, no magic.

The human mind is like clay.
It is very very malleable.
This goes to prove, and I have argued before, that there is no freewill.
The mind is always always fully or partially encumbered by the very nature of it's evolution.

We are hardly independent personalities viewing and judging reality from a distance. No.
Rather, are network of neural interactions, mirroring , expressing and trying to validate individual selves through our environments.

My point in all this is that the mind is porous and akways open to hacking and subtle manipulation, especially when you have the perfect combination of fear, superstition, ignorance and hopeless poverty.
Believe it or not, about 90%or more of people want to be controlled or led.
They want another person, a stronger mind, to define reality to them and break it down in small chewable bits, with plenty of sugar.
.
This is why Africa and other poverty laden societies provide the perfect inexhaustible resources for religious fraudsters and hustlers.

johnny1980:
Poverty maybe a big influence in Nigeria based on the demographics but poverty isn't the main root cause. FEAR which is a universal factor is the root cause.

A case in point is the Ebola issue. Do you know how many educated and rich people fell for that stupid prank of bathing with salt and water? Millions. Exactly what plays around when it comes to religion and hero worshipping. Play on people's fear, offer them hope as regards what they are scared of. WITH that you would control them like robots. It's no news that there's a message of hell fire and burning of those who don't turn to God on a certain day of resurrection by most preachers. This FEAR pushes people to seek people they believe or heard have the magic wand or promises them hope from their troubles and FEARS.

So they troupe out to meet these people no matter their social strata and education.

Have you not seen many Professors and Rich men cower under the messages of these pastors? The pastors are using their FEAR to rule them. This can be applied in many ways, by using their fear of poverty to preach hope and prosperity; or fear of hell fire to preach hope of paradise and eternal living; or it can be their fear of illness or diseases to preach cleansing them and healing them just to get them under their wings.


Although you are right that poverty plays a dominant role in Nigeria .

plaetton:


No jazz, no magic.

The human mind is like clay.
It is very very malleable.
This goes to prove, and I have argued before, that there is no freewill.
The mind is always always fully or partially encumbered by the very nature of it's evolution.

We are hardly independent personalities viewing and judging reality from a distance. No.
Rather, are network of neural interactions, mirroring , expressing and trying to validate individual selves through our environments.

My point in all this is that the mind is porous and akways open to hacking and subtle manipulation, especially when you have the perfect combination of fear, superstition, ignorance and hopeless poverty.
Believe it or not, about 90%or more of people want to be controlled or led.
They want another person, a stronger mind, to define reality to them and break it down in small chewable bits, with plenty of sugar.
.
This is why Africa and other poverty laden societies provide the perfect inexhaustible resources for religious fraudsters and hustlers.

plaetton:

Quit your dishonesty.
Perhaps you have an inferiority complex.
Maybe that's why a simple truth stings you.

Telling myself truths about my society does not in any way diminish me or my self-esteem.
In fact, self introspection is the best service to one's self.

Of course hero worship is a universal phenomena.
I worship Gani Fawemini. You can hardly say that he is manipulating me.

In the context of evangelical Christianity, we are talking of delibetate and well choreographed manipulation, using weaknesses in the cultural, economic and social landscape.

I make references to Nigeria and Africa because, first, this is where it pinches me, secondly, it is non-disputable fact that the cultural landscapes of Africa have polluted and denigrated by centuries of assaults by the foreign religions and colonialism.
It is also a fact that Africa's economic and social landscapes have rendered desolate by decades of visionless km leaderships and corruption.

With all these put together, when the evangelical fraudsters of the Christian religion look upon Africa, they see inexhaustible reserves of oil, gold and diamonds flowing in surface of the continent.

For an argument, please try to prove to us that evangelical invasion of African is not grounded on manipulation and exploitation.

johnny1980:
Poverty maybe a big influence in Nigeria based on the demographics but poverty isn't the main root cause. FEAR which is a universal factor is the root cause.

A case in point is the Ebola issue. Do you know how many educated and rich people fell for that stupid prank of bathing with salt and water? Millions. Exactly what plays around when it comes to religion and hero worshipping. Play on people's fear, offer them hope as regards what they are scared of. WITH that you would control them like robots. It's no news that there's a message of hell fire and burning of those who don't turn to God on a certain day of resurrection by most preachers. This FEAR pushes people to seek people they believe or heard have the magic wand or promises them hope from their troubles and FEARS.

So they troupe out to meet these people no matter their social strata and education.

Have you not seen many Professors and Rich men cower under the messages of these pastors? The pastors are using their FEAR to rule them. This can be applied in many ways, by using their fear of poverty to preach hope and prosperity; or fear of hell fire to preach hope of paradise and eternal living; or it can be their fear of illness or diseases to preach cleansing them and healing them just to get them under their wings.


Although you are right that poverty plays a dominant role in Nigeria .

johnny1980:
You still don't get this. So telling you to get off your high horse and stop seeing this as a problems with Africans alone is me denying that we have such problems. If anything you introduced that aspect to the discuss and i had to call you out of such bull crap.

People all over the world make silly mistakes and follow foolish doctrines. It transcends geographical locations or race.

You admire Gani you aren't hero worshipping him. If you did, you would spot the same hairstyle, drink the same kind of beer he takes, dress the same way he does and follow every stupid rule he may have left and followed without questioning the rationality.

Let me enlighten you before you make this a race thing and go off tangent. Immunisation is still a big front burner issue in The US and Australia currently as most parents are denying their kids of immunisation because their church does not allow such even when its contrary to logic. The government is weighing bills to deny those parents social security and so on to force their hands. Isn't this your almighty ADvanced Race who can do no wrong and are the bastion of education and wisdom?

Please tell me, this is happening in Africa and i would keep shut. We have gullible people ruled by religion world over stop making it seem like Africans are the only ones who are indoctrinated into such rubbish. You would end up sounding very inferior. You would sound more intelligent to take a look at things with a broader look and stop narrowing them to a specific race or people.

plaetton:

Quit your dishonesty.
Perhaps you have an inferiority complex.
Maybe that's why a simple truth stings you.

Telling myself truths about my society does not in any way diminish me or my self-esteem.
In fact, self introspection is the best service to one's self.

Of course hero worship is a universal phenomena.
I worship Gani Fawemini. You can hardly say that he is manipulating me.

In the context of evangelical Christianity, we are talking of delibetate and well choreographed manipulation, using weaknesses in the cultural, economic and social landscape.

I make references to Nigeria and Africa because, first, this is where it pinches me, secondly, it is non-disputable fact that the cultural landscapes of Africa have polluted and denigrated by centuries of assaults by the foreign religions and colonialism.
It is also a fact that Africa's economic and social landscapes have rendered desolate by decades of visionless km leaderships and corruption.

With all these put together, when the evangelical fraudsters of the Christian religion look upon Africa, they see inexhaustible reserves of oil, gold and diamonds flowing in surface of the continent.

For an argument, please try to prove to us that evangelical invasion of African is not grounded on manipulation and exploitation.

freecocoa:
I'll keep it short.

What you advocate is impractical because the holy book you refer to, encourage people to gather and do whatever it is they do together.

Organised religion was practised in those books and that's what's expected of religious people. BTW, I never said ditching religion is the best thing to happen to anyone, I pointed out that it is only but ONE of the things, you can add hero worship and celebrity whatnot to the list.

superior1:
The spirit of falsehood is still around, there is one around Idimu area of Lagos currently.

Blackfire:
If u are reading this post and u are a lady believe me u are under one control of religion

36STATES:
Yorubas scamming Nigerians with "God told me" since 1800.

kradleber:
Why the unceasing tagging of this episode as a typical 'African/ Nigerian" affair and occurrence.

standd:


When you are a Nigerian, in Nigeria and on Nairaland, you contribute to topics with what you have seen, or what you know.
Besides, majority of the people who know Jesu of Oyingbo have never heard of Jim Jones hence, the need to tag the episode as a Nigerian thing.
Religion is being used to brainwash hordes of people worldwide, I personally believe that humanity will only achieve her full potentials if religion ceases to exist; and man starts to think with his brain.
People would stop believing in gibberish and then subsequently, use a greater part of their brain to better their lives and make smart decisions( without interference from pastorprenuers or hopes in miracles).
I may not be alive when this happens but I know it will surely happen since the human race will continue to evolve. One day, religion will be another fairytale relegated to history books.

naijababe:


Very very naive thought! Be careful what you wish for o

freecocoa:
I'm not surprised many people fell and still fall for their lies, in a place where superstition is the order of the day, what do you expect?

One of the best things that can happen to a person is to ditch religion.

standd:



Decades ago, our forefathers never heard of Jesus or Mohammed..Decades to come, other sets of prophets and religion will crop up.
Gradually, humanity will evolve and there will be trace of religion left; by this time, men would be using more than 20% of their Medulla and things will become better and all hidden myths will be revealed...

Evolution!!

onegig:



Mabye the organised worship you used to perform back then but the one I know specifically requests you to seek for whatever truth you desire and it's highly enjoined on your to seek personal education as regards your religion. Which makes it very practical to the best of my understanding, the only problem is people are less willing to take that journey. It's always more easier to take the easy route out.

As for your ditching Religion is ONE of the best thing statement. I would like differ on that but I guess you are free to have whatever opinion you want. Anything that suits your needs, but I would just admonish a self retrospection. Don't judge most religions by their adherents , most people don't truly follow what their various religions preach and a bit of personal research won't hurt.

naijababe:


Lol.........the same forefathers who worshipped Sango, Osun , Orisha-nla and the likes! The ones who killed twins and sometimes buried the living with the dead, the ones who pass down a widow to the next living male relative, the one who sacrificed human beings to gods?!

Like I said before, be careful what you wish for.

standd:


Yes, we evolved from that era to the present one. Same way the coming generations will evolve from our era to a brand new one. NEW gods, new prophets, new RELIGIONS.

Then afterwards, no religion at all. Just humans using their brain to create wonderful, wonderful things... Without pastors and miracles, the blind would begin to see, the lame would begin to walk, scientific mirrors that surpasses human comprehension will come to stay...And our very wealthy PASTORPRENUERS will run out of gullible fanatics to deceive

Or do you think the world will end with us?