as shared by olu-adegoke on facebook

A TRUE LIFE STORY OF AN EX-DEEPER LIFE MEMBER
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My mum used to work a 9-5 in a very reputable company on Lagos Island in the 80s, and a "hyper-dedicated" member of Deeper Life Bible Church. My dad was a traveler and a man of very few words. Mum was a hardworking woman and passionate about things of her interest. Her church teaches that anything that would hinder you from making heaven should be cut off, be it father, mother, husband, wife, children, family, whatever; so 90% of mum's time was spent and dedicated to Deeper Life, so she could make heaven and sit at the right-hand side of Jesus in white apparel, on the streets of gold. She must have been made to believe that the more dedicated you are to God and his church, the bigger your mansion in heaven.

She was an early member of this church when it started in UNILAG in the 70s as a campus fellowship, she used to be a top leader of a section of the church, but today she's only a little above an ordinary member after investing all her life into the church.
She goes to church almost every day of the week after work, which left us the children to the hands of house girls. Monday is always bible study, Tuesday leaders meeting, Wednesday counseling, Thursday revival hour, Friday prayer meeting(or something or the other), Saturday workers meeting, and Sunday we were in church all day, we attended the 3 services cause mum had to officiate in the entire service.

At the age of 4-5 as a child, my memory started to take notice and store significant incidents at home. when i was between the age of 5-6 i was constantly being sexually molested by one of our house girls. She takes me to the room after she showers, pulls my head towards her crouch and makes me suck her vagina. This happened regularly but mum was too busy with church activities and trying to make heaven, she didn't notice or suspect anything and for over 2 decades i kept it only to myself (I just told my mum about it recently)

The church decentralized in 1991, that same period we moved to a bigger apartment from the room and parlour we used to live in, we had a big compound, enough to play around so we were not allowed beyond it. The church branch needed a temporary space for worship, mum was approached, she enthusiastically offered our compound and we were restricted to indoors with nothing to play with, no toys, no friends allowed, no board games, no TV (board games and TV were considered sin). I was beaten mercilessly by my parents for going to neighbour's house with my siblings to watch TV, guess what...my mum has TV in her sitting room now and so is almost every Deeper Life member nowadays.

So, what happened to the doctrine they preach about "Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever"? Suddenly the Jesus of yesterday that didn't like TV does now. In a conversation i had with my mum recently; i reminded her how she used to beat the hell out of me for watching TV that she now have, she was mute about it.

Our sitting room became counseling room and office, our walkway was divided and part used as church store. Mum had some sets of Fine-China we never really use and only on new years day, but she'll make a banquet with them every week on our dining table for the church officiating ministers.

Church kept expanding and was able to acquire a land, then moved, but our house remained a hub where members go to, when they had nowhere to stay. At those rare times she's home, especially during her leave, we had church members come to her for either financial aid, counseling, parents bringing their children for counseling but didn't realise her own children needed the counseling more.

I was a curious child, I began to wonder if there are other things to life besides "read your book" "go to church". Depression started creeping in at about when i was 11-12, music came to my rescue, I picked a passionate interest in music and i held on to it strongly because nothing was of interest to me in the church besides the music. I was a semi-misfit, I had peer issues, bully issues like every other kid, but mum was too busy listening to other people's children in the church but not me; one time, another kid tried to bully me in school, i fought back but had mixed feeling of guilt and victory, cause mum always say Jesus said "when they hit you on your right cheek, you turn the left".

I started to ask so many questions when i was about 14, i realised the double standards and hypocrisies in the church. The first thing i noticed was a no-one-dares-talk-about segregation, kids of the rich and top leaders, were always given special preferences and i remember one of those sermons we were told, that God is no respecter of any man and how we are same in the eyes of God. This was too huge for me to process at the time, so it expanded my curiosity.

Mum got a huge loan from a finance company to start a business with dad, which eventually wasn't successful. Now we were in serious debt, we suffered severely during this period. Mum was paying through her nose from her monthly salary, the debt had accumulated so much interest. Church members who used to flock around our house started disappearing one by one. It was hard to even eat, then i asked myself again: why can't the church help mum pay at least some of this debt? Afterall she doesn't get paid for everything she's doing for the church, but things remained this way until we were able to crawl out of it.

The church started gaining so much popularity at a time, mum was also getting deeper in her dedication. Mum's over zealousness and less attention for her family started to take a toll on my dad and the marriage between them, this boomeranged into their separation, and the church management said mum cannot hold the significant position she was in anymore, since she's separated from her husband and demoted to a lower position. Her dedication to church, caused her a broken home and she got punished for it by the same church.

This began to affect her psychologically.
She has been so emotionally detached from her children, she was only dedicated to these brainwashers. I thought maybe she'll realise herself by now, but it got worse. Now she became dedicated to fighting to get her spot back, by trying to impress the church leadership, even by desperate measures which gradually turned her to a full blown hypocrite. Churches create standards humanly unachievable and has turned members into hypocrites.

I watched as they announce and placed members under disciplinary measure, in front of the entire congregation in humiliation and excommunication. Why would anyone subject themselves to such dehumanisation? I literally saw people become mentally deranged from overzealousness, i saw people disown their families, i saw people leave their spouses cause they were told they were in an ungodly relationship. Then i watched as hypocrisy massively became the means of survival. Workers, members, leaders, secretly taking their daughters for abortion. Those who were caught became scape goats.

In Deeper Life, as a leader, no matter how dedicated you are, the standards set for your children is the litmus test for your credibility and your fate to remain a leader, especially the female children. No trousers, no lipstick, no earrings, no make-up, no relaxing of the hair, must be born again etc. my sisters were not having none of that bullshit, they pierced their ears, wore trousers, got their hair did, nails done. This affected mum's position the more, but she bothered more about her relegation in the church rather than pay attention to her children.

I was at this point, already socialising myself and beginning to absorb information about life in general, outside the church. I left home to face the world alone without any orientation of how to survive out there. "Go and read your book" and "Go to church" was the only thing i know.

I built up a conviction to find the truth about life by myself and the pursuit of a personal identity outside the indoctrination and dogma.
I found my path in life quickly enough, but this made me to be seen as a rebel back home. I hoped mum would talk to me and ask about what was happening in my life, but that never happened; I wasn't going to the church anymore, so me being around her would further reduce the possibilities of her achieving that leadership level she so craves. My personal life and success as her son wasn't her goal, Deeper Life was.

Religious fanatism is damaging people's families in this clime, but I have decided to save myself from the chains of these brainwashers.

END
= Narrated to me on September 30, 2017 by an ex-member of the Deeper Life Bible Church who was inspired to share the personal story after reading my post on the Deeper Life Church. I sought and got permission to share the story.

source-https://naijastoryz..com.ng/2017/09/a-true-life-story-of-ex-deeper-life.html#more

cc:seun,lalasticlala,hahn,plaetton,hungerbad,LoJ,hopefullandlord

What works for one may not work for another. One man's sincere zeal and hunger for God may be another man's religious fanaticism.
All that matters is that each one of us is able to make heaven at the end of the day, wherever we decide to pitch our tent.

thesicilian:
What works for one may not work for another. One man's sincere zeal and hunger for God may be another man's religious fanaticism.
All that matters is that each one of us is able to make heaven at the end of the day, wherever we decide to pitch our tent.

......religion fanaticism of all kind is wrong bro...

Hope you haven't given up the faith?
Your case is too small my dear friend because many of us experienced worst scenario of this nature but we never gave up. From the the whole story, your mum was more dedicated to church at the expense of her family. I think I kind of blame to a large extent for this. Deeper life didn't help matters at all because from the story given that branch of the church were not concerned about her well being. This isn't peculiar to just deeper life but most churches in Nigeria. Now that you have left deeper life, continue with the faith because narrow is the way to eternity. There's no perfect man or perfect church as we're trying to attain perfection.

You have found your path in life, you did not say what you have found. You are no longer in deeper life, where are you or what are you ? Have you become an atheist ?

naijastoryz:
......religion fanaticism of all kind is wrong bro...

What exactly is your definition of religious fanatism

naijastoryz:
......religion fanaticism of all kind is wrong bro...

I totally agree. You know eh, zeal without knowledge is very deadly. My heart went for that guy being left to the mercy of an agent of satan.

His Mom was out fighting satan using the front door but left the back door open. Very pathetic.


But, you see, my Mom was and is a Deeper Life Member too. Although, i didn't follow her to her Deeper Life, but it moulded my Christian foundation. All i am today is owed to my Mom.

So, yeah, fanaticism is wrong.

analice107:

I totally agree. You know eh, zeal without knowledge is very deadly. My heart went for that guy being left to the mercy of an agent of satan.

His Mom was out fighting satan using the front door but left the back door open. Very pathetic.


But, you see, my Mom was and is a Deeper Life Member too. Although, i didn't follow her to her Deeper Life, but it moulded my Christian foundation. All i am today is owed to my Mom.

So, yeah, fanaticism is wrong.

deeper life oohh my lawd

Childofaking:


What exactly is your definition of religious fanatism

been completely overwhelmed by mumu religious principles and not been able to differentiate religion from normal day to day activities and when you are been corrected ,you become harsh unnecessary to the person trying to correct you

OP this your story touched me.... Sorry for what you passed through.

I keep saying it, RELIGION IS BAD FOR YOU, THE ONLY REMEDY IS FOCUSING ON CHRIST JESUS. Its a pity but most Christians in Nigeria are in this type of bondage. They uphold man made traditions at the expense of Christ Jesus and His Finished Work. They worship their pastors but have little trust for Christ and His Cross. That's why there are so many hypocrites in the Churches today.

I thank God for setting me free... For making me have a deeper knowledge of Christ and what the CROSS is all about. Christianity is not a religion. Christ didn't come to set up a religion but to set the captives free. Op it is well with you. Just focus on Christ Jesus and him alone!! He is your Salvation not man!!

jiggaz:
OP this your story touched me.... Sorry for what you passed through.

I keep saying it, RELIGION IS BAD FOR YOU, THE ONLY REMEDY IS FOCUSING ON CHRIST JESUS. Its a pity but most Christians in Nigeria are in this type of bondage. They uphold man made traditions at the expense of Christ Jesus and His Finished Work. They worship their pastors but have little trust for Christ and His Cross. That's why there are so many hypocrites in the Churches today.

I thank God for setting me free... For making me have a deeper knowledge of Christ and what the CROSS is all about. Christianity is not a religion. Christ didn't come to set up a religion but to set the captives free. Op it is well with you. Just focus on Christ Jesus and him alone!! He is your Salvation not man!!

e be like say..una no dey read finish the story no be my own oh

naijastoryz:
e be like say..una no dey read finish the story no be my own oh

Yes, i know say the story no be your own. The Op am talking about is the original poster of the story not you.

jiggaz:
Yes, i know say the story no be your own. The Op am talking about is the original poster of the story not you.

okay boss

asuustrike2009:
Hope you haven't given up the faith?
Your case is too small my dear friend because many of us experienced worst scenario of this nature but we never gave up. From the the whole story, your mum was more dedicated to church at the expense of her family. I think I kind of blame to a large extent for this. Deeper life didn't help matters at all because from the story given that branch of the church were not concerned about her well being. This isn't peculiar to just deeper life but most churches in Nigeria. Now that you have left deeper life, continue with the faith because narrow is the way to eternity. There's no perfect man or perfect church as we're trying to attain perfection.

@emboldened

What's the problem with most of you religious fellas
been spiritual is synonymous to brainwashing and susceptible to gullibility
So he should have faith until his case graduate from small to big àbí?

naijastoryz:
......religion fanaticism of all kind is wrong bro...

One man's zeal and hunger for God is another man's religious fanaticism.

adepeter2027:

@emboldened

What's the problem with most of you religious fellas
been spiritual is synonymous to brainwashing and susceptible to gullibility
So he should have faith until his case graduate from small to big àbí?

Yes faith is the key in Christianity. If you can't have faith then what's use. If that was why you left Christianity then it's a pity

adepeter2027:

@emboldened

What's the problem with most of you religious fellas
been spiritual is synonymous to brainwashing and susceptible to gullibility
So he should have faith until his case graduate from small to big àbí?

The bold text is part of things most Christians pass through. If you aren't comfortable with it no problem

asuustrike2009:

The bold text is part of things most Christians pass through. If you aren't comfortable with it no problem

You mean to say stress and punishment are attributes of a Christian?

No wonder God enjoys watching his people suffer - which I called MADNESS but you people redefine it as TRIAL OF FAITH

asuustrike2009:

Yes faith is the key in Christianity. If you can't have faith then what's use. If that was why you left Christianity then it's a pity

Clap for yourself.. Faith - the last resort used by Chris when there is no better explanation.

As a devoted Christian that you are, Do you have faith that you're gonna address Nigerians on TV as the president of the country on independence day?

adepeter2027:

Clap for yourself.. Faith - the last resort used by Chris when there is no better explanation.

As a devoted Christian that you are, Do you have faith that you're gonna address Nigerians on TV as the president of the country on independence day?

What's my business with addressing Nigerians on TV? I have no business with it

adepeter2027:

You mean to say stress and punishment are attributes of a Christian?

No wonder God enjoys watching his people suffer - which I called MADNESS but you people redefine it as TRIAL OF FAITH

Punishment isn't synonymous with trials. Trials and tribulations are there to test your faith in God. They're happen for a purpose one of which to draw us closer to God

May God forgive whosoever post this about Deeper life.

Does it mean that Deeper life has not affected this generation in a positive way?

Pls, let's be objective with the way we post about churches.

asuustrike2009:

Punishment isn't synonymous with trials. Trials and tribulations are there to test your faith in God. They're happen for a purpose one of which to draw us closer to God

Trials are to test your faith and not me.

Yà comments are always out of points

asuustrike2009:

What's my business with addressing Nigerians on TV? I have no business with it

You see your life. Ye Christian of zero FAITH

thesicilian:
What works for one may not work for another. One man's sincere zeal and hunger for God may be another man's religious fanaticism.
All that matters is that each one of us is able to make heaven at the end of the day, wherever we decide to pitch our tent.

TOUCHED BY THE STORY...RELIGION IS NOT THE WAY, JESUS IS...RELIGION WILL ENSLAVE YOU, JESUS WILL MAKE YOU FREE...RELIGION GIVES YOU WORRIES, BUT JESUS GIVES YOU PEACE..RUNAWAY FROM RELIGION AND RUN INTO JESUS OUR SAVIOUR...RUNAWAY FROM MEN PREACHING RELIGION AND RUN TO MEN PREACHING JESUS CHRIST THE WAY..PEACE

bloodofthelamb:
TOUCHED BY THE STORY...RELIGION IS NOT THE WAY, JESUS IS...RELIGION WILL ENSLAVE YOU, JESUS WILL MAKE YOU FREE...RELIGION GIVES YOU WORRIES, BUT JESUS GIVES YOU PEACE..RUNAWAY FROM RELIGION AND RUN INTO JESUS OUR SAVIOUR...RUNAWAY FROM MEN PREACHING RELIGION AND RUN TO MEN PREACHING JESUS CHRIST THE WAY..PEACE

what's the difference between Jesus Christ and religion?

Ericsunday619:
what's the difference between Jesus Christ and religion?

RELIGION IS MEN'S PRESCRIPTION...RELIGION IS MEN'S SOLUTION TO HUMANITY...WHY CHRIST JESUS IS GOD'S PRESCRIPTION...CHRIST JESUS IS GOD'S WAY OF RECONCILING MAN TO HIMSELF...RELIGION IS MEN'S INVENTION...CHRIST JESUS IS GOD'S SOLUTION TO OUR ACHING WORLD...SHALOM!

the letter kills but the spirit gives life......
a spiritual man Judges all things but he himself isn't subject to anyone's judgement

one that cannot handle the home is worse than an unbeliever......


I don't blame the woman one bit.... its just that the gospel is perverted.... only people held by God can escape this spiritual tribulation

God2man:
May God forgive whosoever post this about Deeper life.

Does it mean that Deeper life has not affected this generation in a positive way?

Pls, let's be objective with the way we post about churches.

Forgive what? He/she posted what they are going through and you're telling them to be careful. Are you in their shoes to know where it hurts.
It's religion, you're bound to defend it. But we can't watch people wallow in languish and be silent. No one disputes the magnanimity of the church. Additionally religion can be termed a simulacrum of an institution hence it errs. Don't see it as a perfect system, it has many flaws. This story by the op only lists a few.

Get enlightened enough to question everything around you, and lose yourself from the bondage of ignorance. I bet you, you'll be making your creator proud this way!

N.B I say this with sincere truce, with no iota of parochialism.

bloodofthelamb:
RELIGION IS MEN'S PRESCRIPTION...RELIGION IS MEN'S SOLUTION TO HUMANITY...WHY CHRIST JESUS IS GOD'S PRESCRIPTION...CHRIST JESUS IS GOD'S WAY OF RECONCILING MAN TO HIMSELF...RELIGION IS MEN'S INVENTION...CHRIST JESUS IS GOD'S SOLUTION TO OUR ACHING WORLD...SHALOM!

oh what about Odin the popular God

NigPatriot:


Forgive what? He/she posted what they are going through and you're telling them to be careful. Are you in their shoes to know where it hurts.
It's religion, you're bound to defend it. But we can't watch people wallow in languish and be silent. No one disputes the magnimousity of the church. Additionally religion can be termed a simulacrum of an institution hence it errs. Don't see it as a perfect system, it has many flaws. This story by the op only lists a few.

Get enlightened enough to question everything around you, and lose yourself from the bondage of ignorance. I bet you, you'll be making your creator proud this way!

Lord have mercy.