"In the minds of people who don’t believe in privilege, luck or circumstance, they count their blessings as evidence of their talent, perseverance and intelligence.

They worked hard and they became wealthy, therefore, they believe that most rich people work hard. And if one believes wholeheartedly in this premise, then, conversely, they must also believe that people who aren’t rich don’t work as hard as them.

But as a trained economist, I can tell you that poverty has more to do with intergenerational wealth, wage inequality, historical influences and predatory capitalism than it has to do with one’s willingness to memorize 2,500-year-old Bible verses and wake up a few minutes early" - Michael Harriot, The Root

which people to be specific?

amaniro:
So, Are the people you used as example "Christians?"

Exactly... that's what it entails being a Christain. Not all these eye service we the see everywhere. th

Golden6:
Well, your post is a nice one.
As your message to Christians is more about being a reflection of love and kindness wherever you find yourself.
Not just doing eyeservice by acting 101% righteous in church but dismissing/ignoring/forgetting that they should be "Temples" (Reflect love and kindness) everywhere, and in every situation, not just the church.

@ Amaniro ....A Christain is who lives by and follows the teaching of Christ

These are words I thought I might never have to utter publicly, but feel it's about time, as people are already beginning to connect me with atheism.

I believe in people's right to self-determination, to choose which God to worship or even decide to doubt his existence. I have many wonderful friends who identify with atheism. I respect them. Heck, I've met Atheists who have a higher moral compass than some 'Christians' I know, Atheists who are more inclined to protect my interest and see me elevated.

I've been privileged to live in a European country with a predominantly atheistic population, who are more economically and technologically advanced, have far less viscous tendencies, show more compassion and respect to their fellow humans, than countries where almost everyone professes to be religious and holy. I've learned to believe that economic development is a higher enabler of morality than religion. It's extremely difficult for people to be poor and moral at the same time, no matter how religious.

I like atheists, I respect them, but I don't agree with them. I've made these clear through many of my writings. But now it seems I'm one myself, at least that's the public persona I've unwittingly created. I'm no longer a 'Christian,' by the standards of today's Christianity, merely based on my criticisms of organized Christianity in this country.

Do I have a problem with organized religion? Yes, I do! Spoiler alert: there's a man from Galilee who also vehemently opposed organized religion whose tenets were not established on Gods law. He's called Jesus the Messiah, and his approach was much more radical. It might surprise you to know that just the other day, he went to a 'church' to angrily whip some 'worshippers' out. Yes, he did that.

Given that over 70 million of our citizens identify as Christian, do you ever feel the essence of this identity in our socio-political endeavors? If after all these years, which translates into countless hours of prayer and worship, the impact on our development has been largely negligible (if not counter progressive), then, most likely, something is not working. Something is wrong! The logical thing to do is to question our approach at least. I have numerous questions that I, unfortunately, can't keep to myself, and that makes me an atheist.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't see anything wrong with Jesus's message of love, peace, and hope, I see a lot wrong with the church today.

Do I attend church? Yes, I do, but occasionally. Lately, I've elected myself to attend church once a month. Of course, I know that means I'm no longer a Christian. Good Christians go to church every Sunday, spend, sometimes, up to 5 hours worshipping God and 'fellowshipping' with people they pretend to like. People they have no interest in and no inclination to see become successful, people they would brush aside should they meet on a Monday, especially if they do not attend the same church.

I believe many Christians spend this much time in the church because it makes us feel good and holy. We've reduced Christianity to a set of rituals instead of a set of character and attitude! And because it's been reduced to a set of outward rituals, people perceived to be judiciously performing these rituals are considered good Christians. For instance, a politician who steals from the state and makes hefty donations to the church is given the best seat and the most majestic title. Forget about the fact that his corrupt practices are the reason others won't make it to heaven.

A person who prays in 5873 tongues is considered spiritual, even if they are a different species from Monday to Friday (if you want to know who a real Christian is, ask the cleaners and security guards at their offices). A person who attends every prayer meeting and partakes in every fasting is expected to make the first entry through the pearly gates, forget about the fact that he/she shows no love or compassion to their fellow human beings.

Outward rituals have only one purpose: to receive praise from man. We all have a natural proclivity to acting this way because it's socially desirable. This explains why a new species of Nigerians are born each Sunday morning and die on Monday mornings, only to be reincarnated on Sunday mornings, and this cycle of life continues till thy kingdom come.

But I'm afraid God turned this 'doctrine' upside down when He said he's more concerned about what's inside a person's heart than what they pretend to be on the outside. By attending church once a month, I consciously condition my mind into accepting that church is wherever I find myself. I know, I know, it's written somewhere in the Bible not to forsake the gathering together of the saints, but isn't it also written that "where two or three are gathered in my name, behold I'm there also"? The church is what happens when you meet the cleaner and security guard at your office entrance. When you attend to the desperate citizen needing assistance at the government ministry, you're employed when you a reasonable contract signing as a representative of the state when you give the job to the young lady based on her qualifications, not your selfish sexual desires...Of course, I'm not a Christian because I talk about stuff like these.

I believe Church is not what happens when you're sitting in an Airconditioned room and listening to a sermon you're most likely to forget before it's over. The church is you! Haven't we read that our our bodies are the temple of God? Of course, we have! But somehow the only message many of us got from that text is in its relation to sin. Hardly heard anyone say, "because my body is the temple of God (which by extension means my body is a church) I ought to exude love and goodness to others, wherever I am."

Also, (and here's perhaps the best representation of my atheism) I think many of the so-called 'men of God' are only inspired by economics and not a desire for the things of God. They are not "prophets" because they love God. They are 'prophets' because they love money. Their 'calling' is an economic necessity, an entrepreneurial avenue. Over 70 million-plus Christians is a big economy, and it's only natural that people would have the incentives to want to cash in.

And the good thing is, the government incentivizes this 'industry' very faithfully; there's no tax obligation and no requirement for financial accountability. I think the African politician considers the church an important element in preserving their power and sanity. Because the church sells an important message: the devil is responsible for poverty.

The church defers the government's responsibility to God. Each Sunday millions of our citizen's troop to church to ask God to do what they should be asking their government to do. So government can have taxpayer-funded vacations with mistresses in exotic places, transfer the nation's wealth to secret offshore accounts, live in the poshest neighborhoods, drive the biggest cars and disturb the very citizens who gave them their vote with annoying sirens because they are too "big" to stay in the very congested roads their inactions have created. And they still have a sound sleep at night. If we exerted a fraction of the energy we put into prayer in keeping our government on its toes, we wouldn't have to bother God over the little things.

Again, I'm told anyone who professes to be Christian and see something wrong with the constant display of absurdity by these 'prophets' on our TV screens is lost in the vicissitudes of wonderland. I'm no longer a 'Christian' because good Christians don't criticize the church, no matter its form.

Do I pay tithes? No, I don't. This one deserves its own article. In summary, 'tithe' is what I do when I provide an underprivileged kid a decent education.

Right now I'm in a bit of a conundrum because Atheists, especially the radical ones, would not extend a hand of welcome to me as well. Perhaps I have to start my own church then. The Right Reverend Holy Prophet Dr. Shimasaan Kelvin Anger Global Outreach Ministry, coming to a classroom near you.