₦airaland Forum

Goshen360: Again, YES!!!

Romans 5:16 - 18

Romans 8:1

Before you come back to continue your argument, endeavour to look up key words in those verses.

You were shy to paste them verses?

Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

They don't say a christian cannot be cursed, do they? You're trying to draw logical conclusions, okay. But those verses say nothing about a christian being cursed.

nora544: first they should sell their jets, and they can use cars but not the big ones and one car is okay for this big pastors!!!!!!!

No pastor need so much security, they are no popstars, but they feel like popstars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How many of them? Which is the big car? Nora Nora. Is it a sin to have more than one car? Can you have more than one car?

Jesus is Lord. i hardly said anything, why all this long tori for me only? i only addressed a part of anony's post and added a scripture passage to the mix. i wasn't answering any question or commenting on a bible verse. Draw your conclusion please, let's not unrail the thread, you know.

@drumb

Olusanya333: Yes if they can. Walk on ur legs if u r to preach

Hmmmm, does that change anything? They all walk on their legs when preaching. You hardly know their private lives though.

MrAnony1: This is a quick reply typed on my way to work.....I have been very busy of late: my response to F1 is still halfway typed since two sundays ago but it appears the thread has moved on. This is good.

I must say that I love what I have been reading and seriously, I don't think there is much I can add but upon reading our brother Ihedinobi's replies to the thread, I have decided to respond quickly so a to nip something in the bud before it becomes a huge flame.

@Ihedinobi, consider this question: If you saw your brothers sheep for whom Christ our shepherd gave his life being led killed by wolves in sheepskin. How would you warn them of the danger? Will you not expose the wolf?

These false teachers do not teach in secret, why then should we protect their identities? I believe it is upon us to bring to God's light both the false message and it's teachers so that our brethren are not ensnared by the evil message of death.

@Trustman and BabaGnoni, we must be careful not to have an "us vs them" mindset when someone asks us a question.

I beg you all; let us not allow this thread to devolve into a petty fight. It has been civil thus far. God bless y'all. Gotta run now

It's apparently civil only because it is largely ignored by opposing views. i trust the thread champions, they're not that nice. I'm adding this passage to the mix.
Matthew 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Olusanya333: Yea Brother u see I think its Time we Make a change lk d Apostles did nd those pple cried "dey turned d world upside down". Seriously if a Sinner see Pst E.A Adeboye, Pst Kumuyi walking on leg to preach to him will he not be happy?nd now telling him dat Jesus Loves him more will he nt turn to Jesus? These are the changes i Vision to bring to pass nd i need brethens with d same Vision to win 4 Christ.

You want them to stop using cars?

BabaGnoni: I've waited long enough (i.e. holding back)
since, no one yet or so far, have managed to pull out these three verses for Image123, I'll do so now

But God said to Balaam,
"Don't go with them! Don't curse these people, because they are blessed."
- Numbers 22:12 GOD'S WORD Translation

How can I curse those whom God hasn't cursed?
How can I condemn those whom the LORD hasn't condemned?
- Numbers 23:8 GOD'S WORD Translation

Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim
- Proverbs 26:2 NLT

Maybe Image123, can reciprocate too,
and now tell us, if there is a Bible verse that says a Christian cannot "...take advantage of the law of aerodynamics..."

Are you really quoting three OT verses FOR christians? Tell me you read all that story Goshen has been telling about old and new and Adeboye?

Goshen360: There're lots of verses in the new covenant, where we, Christians belong that says a Christian cannot be cursed. This teaching of generational curse is completely false and foreign to the New Testament. Never was it taught by any of the Apostles. Those who teach generational curses are actually insulting the finished works of Christ and His blood. It doesn't matter if such a famous man of God.

Try\continue to break a curse (that is not there) and you lose your blessing that is there by grace. It’s your choice, go under a law that is not to be obeyed, or stay in grace where all our spiritual blessings are found in Christ.

If Jesus broke the curse and became curse for us, how can we who believe in Him have a curse? Can you be full and still be hungry at the same time? Can you carry blessings in Christ and still be cursed? Did Jesus remove our sins by the cross or only some of them? Did Jesus remove the curse against man for not fulfilling the law by the cross or only part of it? This is what needs to be answered. Does His blood not cleanse all things as it says in the Bible? “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:7).

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

The word for salvation here is the word sōtēria and it means:

deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation

deliverance from the molestation of enemies

in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the soul's safety or salvation

of Messianic salvation

salvation as the present possession of all true Christians

future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.

This salvation is what Paul, the Apostle of Christ called "complete in Christ" because we're in Christ.....if any man be in Christ...

Salvation also mean deliverance completed by the saving blood of Christ. Those who have accepted His message are translated from the power of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son. That is what the Bible says, and no mans teaching should be given priority over this. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away and behold ALL things have become new!” It all points to Jesus Christ crucified-- Jesus Christ and Him crucified gives us victory.

Finally, those who teach generational curses are teaching a strange doctrine of double punishment. How do I mean? Look at this,

New American Standard Bible
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE "--

King James Bible
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

There're two things to pay attention to here in that verse.

- 1. Christ redeemed us from curses of the law
- 2. He became a curse or the cursed one

How can I still be cursed or a Christian be cursed when a divine exchanged had already taken place in place of the curse that Christ became? Why then was he cursed or became a cursed one or why did he redeemed us from the curses of the law then?

Listen to scripture, the very next verse:

New International Version
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

New American Standard Bible
in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

King James Bible
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Is there a Bible verse that says a christian cannot be cursed?

nora544: there is no such Bibleverse, this only comes from this money loveing jetflying businesspastors in nigeria to put fear on their followers.
they make all that people have always fear but a christian can live a life without fear.

Gosh, Goshen now flys a jet? He's been insisting that a christian cannot be cursed. i hope he or someone produce that bible verse that says so.

TheBigUrban2: If I called you a "dumbazz religitard that has comprehension problems", people would say that I'm abusive.



Here is my comment again;


Here is your ridiculous interpretation;






I clearly said that USA was built on the backs of African slaves. That is different from saying that Africans built America


Please, do not unreasonably call me a racist again out of your ignorance

Your comment was racist. You sound like you suffer from family problems BTW.

Is there a Bible verse that says a Christian cannot be cursed?

Kay17: When Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on water, what work did he do that guaranteed his miracle of walking on water?

Stepping out.

stop asking purposeless questions, please.

TheBigUrban2: First off you are talking to a black African man.

Your country, USA, was built on the backs of slaves. Black African slaves

Before that, the land was stolen from the indians who were killed anyhow.

More land then stolen from mexico



If slavery, colonization and theft all equal christianity, then be my guest.



The usa is not the most developed or fair country. In fact, the USA fails on many issues that other western developed countries excel. Healthcare, life expectancy, literacy, foriegn policy, etc

black people built USA? Oh what happened to the free ones in Africa, they don't know how to build? Stop being racist.

Nice sparring on first page, i enjoyed every bit.

Kay17: HENCE one (a Christian) can decide to rely on his faith when plagued with a disease or cancerous tumour rather than go to a hospital?!

The subtle conclusion frequently made in this thread, is that miracle/faith should serve as a last resort when orthodox medicine fails. If a woman has an ectopic pregnancy, there is no reason why she shouldn't rely on her omnipotent God to actively heal her. At least doctors are not omnipotent.

A Christian should have faith all the time. Faith without works is dead. Faith is not a last resort, without faith it is impossible to please God.

Spotless180: u mean some people programmed to end up in hell and some in heaven? Do u think man has freewill?

No, i don't know any bible verse that says anyone is predestined to heaven or to hell. That's theological talk. BTW, that something or someone is predestined don't guarantee that that task would be accomplished. Ever heard of a predestined letter or luggage lost in transit?

Spotless180: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.
11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the councel of his own will.
- Ephesians 1:4-5, 11.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many bethren.

Pls I need an explaination of what predestination is. What does it means to be predestinated by God.

Predestination is SIMPLY pre destination. It is like the address on a letter or luggage. Lagos - London. The goods are predestined to reach London from Lagos. Simples. Same way, God has plans for our lives both general and specific.

Lol, big grammar to describe big God. Depends on him and your relationship with him. You can approach him if he's approachable and correct him jokingly and in love, like you'd correct your father or senior brother/sister. That's what he is, right?

trustman: The Christian cannot equate himself with Jesus. He had inherent authority. We can only at best have delegated authority. The Apostles too were unique in their own way. They were pioneers. They were foundation layers.
You either address and depend onGod seeking his intervention in any issue or choose to handle it on your own way. There is no other Biblically prescribed way.

eweeeeeeeeee, just tuned in to check what's up here being a bit bored waiting for someone. See calamity escapism that I was welcomed with!! This dummy excuse can be used to not do anything or live a christlike life. Who is a disciple. Talk about biblical prescribed way, what an irony. Show them Genesis-Malachi, you go hear the story of your life and mumbo jumbo about Judaism. Show them Matthew-Revelation, na still tales by moonlight like the above quote. They may respond well to trite verbose weblinks though.

Was it Kay17 or so that i was telling that polls change and differ?

shdemidemi: A Muslim lady claimed she got healed from cancer. Now, I wonder which God did her own miracle... Could it be the same God of Jesus?

Wonder is good for you, God is God of wonders.

Kay17: BUT why would Jesus resurrect the dead and heal the sick when there are hospitals?

It's like asking why there are trains when there are cars and motorcycles. They are different forms/modes of transportation. Miracles heal and hospitals heal, they are not competing with the other or mutually exclusive. Again, i advice you to follow David's advice, you're not sincere to learn.

PastorAIO: Ol boi, you talk talk talk talk u, still you no address the points wey the guy dey make. The OP was not about his credentials as a pastor, or deep believer or whatever. Whether or not you are satisfied with the depth of his belief that doesn't have any bearing on the points he is making.

In other words, you are saying the OP was POINTless in stating "I've been a deep believer my whole life. 18 years as a Southern Baptist. More than 40 years as a mainline Protestant. I'm an ordained pastor. But it's just stopped making sense to me." Forgive me, i didn't know he was just rambling that was why i initially addressed that pointgroup of sentences.

By God dabbling, I understood that he was talking about God getting involved in people's lives. full stop. You seem to understand something else by 'dabbling'. Almost like it's an insulting word to you. Does god get involved in people's lives or not? If he does then how do you explain the issues that he then brought up.

To 'dabble' is to become involved in something casually or superficially, to fiddle or play at something, absent-mindedly as it were. FYI, God owns the whole world and owns and created every human. He doesn't dabble, He has specific purposes and legal rights to be involved in any life He so chooses. He is not purposeless, casual, fiddling or superficial which the word 'dabble' connotes. The OP's statement was (It doesn't make sense to believe in a God that dabbles in people's lives )

I believe that the issues that he addresses here are implied by Jesus too here:

43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5.

The fact is that our fortunes in this life seem to be totally random. God does not seem to discriminate in favour of those who are believers or just.

If you had calmed down and read my post, you would have seen that i said the same thing about God blessing the just and the unjust. See it again.

---

the Bible teaches or explains about God's mercy/mercies. The Bible teaches that everything we are permitted to do is by God's mercies. That is why it is said that you are alive by God's mercies, and whatever else you do or are permitted to do is just God's mercy. Having children, joy, promotion, health, whatever good thing is by God's mercy which is upon the just and the unjust. You shouldn't even have been born in the first place, according to the Bible that is. So that you are even born, or see a new day, or are chanced to repent, or have some 'hope' of going to Heaven is extra.

---

---

The question is, if some people experience favour and others do not, what is the reason behind it. Is it because 'God has a plan for them' implying that he doesn't have a plan for the others? If this is your concept of God that he has a bias in favour of certain people then the facts apparent to us contradict the existence of a God thus conceptualised. Furthermore it contradicts the understanding of God presented in this chapter to us by Jesus.

If you care to understand what i posted about perspectives, the veil of undue emotionalism and sentimentality would be dropped and progress made. There is more to life than life(physical) itself. All that favour and mercy shown on the just and the unjust are little compared to God's greater plan and blessing. Being saved from accident, material success and bodily health are child's play compared to God's riches in glory. What God offers the just includes Eternal life and resurrection, Peace that passes understanding, Joy unspeakable and full of glory, Holiness the divine nature. These are God's real gifts and they are not a dime a dozen, or for every random fellow.
1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

The blessings of the just or righteous believer are not limited or the same to just this physical life. If it was, believers would be the most miserable. Why? Material blessings are common place and seemingly random, they even appear easier and quicker to come by for the unbeliever. God doesn't bestow spiritual blessings to both the just and unjust. They are for overcomers, people who are more than conquerors.
Experiencing favour for physical blessings is majorly a result of mercy. Mercy comes in many ways. God can have mercy on a person for several reasons e.g prayers, being merciful, sovereignty etc. Someone else's prayers, yours, your parents, your gparents, your friend's etc can produce mercy for you that separates you from others in an event or incidence. Your good deeds(whether as a christian or nonchristian) can bring you mercy for material blessings, God's sovereignty and ability, right and wisdom to choose to have mercy on you can bring you mercy. God's specific plan for individual is different from person to person. There can be 10people in an accident, and God in His omniscience and wisdom draws the graph of each life as it were. Whether you are just or unjust, if your graph is straight line no change there might be no big picture need to stop the accident. Everybody is going to die one day if Jesus tarries, and someone's got to mourn or bury. But God can save/interfere because of mercy or prayer, or someone in there who still has something relevant in God's eyes to accomplish. Relevant like helping someone else, or repentance or whatever. And so on and so forth. i'll stop for this while.

Okay, i said i should be back to respond to the rest of the post and perhaps more comprehensively

Kay17: If 96 percent of Ghanaians believe in a God whom they pray to, who answers their prayers, watches their lives, and intercedes on our behalf, then our conduct, our actions must reflect that. Well, does it?

When we fall sick, we do not head to the church, to the temple or to the mosque to pray, (ah, but I am mistaken! Alas!, some do, with disastrous consequences! - but that is another matter). When we want an attire we see the tailor. When we have a legal case, we see a lawyer. When our car breaks down, we call a mechanic.

http://m.modernghana.com/mobile/552468/1/i-daresay-you-dont-believe-in-god.html

Belief in God does not exclude having a lawyer or a tailor. There is no where God COMMANDS us to go to church when sick. How you arrive at that as true belief beats imagination. Faith in God is trusting God, it is the evidence of things not seen. That is, a 'hope' that one will be well when sick, instead of giving up. This 'hope' placed in God sees Him as in control of the universe and not permitting things to go out of His control. This 'hope' can cry/call to God for help especially for His glory, or when one is overwhelmed/helpless about the situation or sickness.
Faith in God is not carelessness or a resort to irresponsibility. God is not against medicine or humans bettering their lives with the use of science, technology etc. What He warns though is that we do not forget Him or completely place our trust in anything(ourselves or inventions) while neglecting God. Emphasis on NEGLECTING GOD.

Why is it that when such cases arise we turn to other humans for help? Why do we not take our petitions to God directly and by-pass all these intermediary humans? We almost never choose exclusive prayer.

Here's a deal: let's abolish the law enforcement agencies, forget the military apparatus. Why not? God will protect his children. Unless of course, we aren't sure He will.

There is NO COMMAND or injunction against human help. God created us as SOCIAL beings. Nothing stops us from taking our petitions and requests to God and still going to an hospital, they are not mutually exclusive events. Christians are to pray without ceasing, and to commit ALL their ways to God's hands. You have an exam/test, you pray and go to write. You don't just pray and not read, that is not what the Bible teaches. True faith is not irresponsibility, true faith is walking hand in hand with God, trusting Him to favour you and help you, and true faith is rooted in God's Word.

1Ti 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Here is God's Word, on a particular man that had frequent stomach troubles and infirmities. The writer prescribed something for him to use. Of course, it does not exclude faith in God, prayer, or people praying for him. They can all be done, nothing wrong with that. Anything used to treat or prevent illness is referred to as medicine. The Bible teaches that medicine does GOOD.
Pro 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.


The above is what is okay for anyone to follow and God is not against it. It is different from MIRACLE. Miracle is not necessarily true faith/belief. God can do miracles, but it is not for normal living. Miracle is God doing the supernatural or unusual. Like keeping people in the wilderness for 40years, or delivering someone from evident theft, robbery or danger, fire, accident. Those are miraculous and they happen. But whether they happen or not, one can demonstrate true faith. Infact, their happening is not a proof of true faith. Miracles can happen through God's mercy, providence, sovereignty, prophecy etc, not necessarily faith. God does not command or require us to exclusively pray and do nothing else. You are to watch and pray.

The Pope has never grown weary of reminding the world how benign, how merciful, how benevolent, and beneficent the infinite God he worships and whose wisdom is beyond reproach is. Hardly, does he realize the irony of conducting the business of God in bullet-proof cars. If the Pope believed that God is ultra-benevolent, ever merciful, and all powerful enough to protect him, and if He really intercedes on behalf of the worthy, why does the Pope need the services of bullet-proof vehicles, and the Swiss Guard? Won't God protect him? If there was danger lurking, won't God avert the danger? Wouldn't God brush aside a bullet directed at him? Or could a decent God who upholds justice, and punishes evil not change the assassin's mind and heart? Or couldn't He blight the assassin with some cool heart-attack? But is the Pope or the Vatican counting on God to protect him? No! Of course, not!

This by implication applies to all cases of security to as little as having a door lock or a gate at one's house. Your reasoning will say at least God is your Shepherd and will deliver you from evil, so while have passwords or lock the door, or have mosquito nets. That is not the correct understanding or teaching, this is amongst why i said you are malinformed. God expects us to put up proper care and security for ourselves, bodies and nation. He has given us the collective wisdom and knowledge required. Nothing stops us from the use of soldiers, police, and other protective medium if it so requires. Even if it requires angels, God can give it. Apostle Paul was guarded by centurions to keep him from bodily harm by some zealots. Some people like the pope, some leaders are public figures are subject to attack, assassins, bodily harm, thronging etc. It is not wrong for them to be adequately protected. True faith is not irresponsibility or carelessness.

The laity is asked to demonstrate their faith by doing things for God. But never encouraged to validate faith itself by testing if God himself will return the courtesy.

On the contrary, most so called conversions and altar calls are done with the so called encouragement that God will do so many things. Are you living on earth?

If a person claims to believe in miracles, and does not turn to doctors when afflicted with disease, but turns to prayer for healing, then we can make a case for 'true belief'. It would also be an incredibly silly move - but that's a different matter.

Miracles happen on the hospital bed too. Though i doubt if you believe miracles happen ANYWHERE even. There are different sources of healing, prayer is one, medical attention is one, laughter/good news is one, music is one, food is one, they are all valid.

Why didn't Abraham simply pick up a ram rather than his son?

Like David said earlier, "you should read the bible rather than pretending to ask questions that you clearly do not want answers to."
God specifically told him to, recall?

Why didn't Gideon simply pick enough men to fight against the Ammonites?

He didn't have enough men.

Why did Jesus heal the sick when they could have gone to the hospital?

He healed those that went to the hospital too.

Why didn't God want David to count his army?

Because He didn't want him to at that time. He does not answer to you, does He? At another time, He did approve a census.

[quote author=The.Big.Urban]what is this low life saying?

The point was about mockery and not Jon Stewart per say....and worse, your forget it was davidylan who said that he is a huge fan of jon stewart.


Please, respect your old age. In my village, you would have 5 wives by now[/quote]errmmm, is this mockery, intellectual, criticism, or plain frustration, a lack of home training and disregard for forum rules/public behavior?

john Stewart the role model thread. Abeg carry your talk somewhere else jor,

Pastor AIO: It's interesting that you consider my posts to Alexleo as 'attacks'. That tells me quite a bit.

Unless you're trying to derail, I don't see what you've contributed to the issue being discussed on this thread. The Issue raised by the OP. Can you explain how anything you've said is relevant?

You were on his case, you referred to your own posts as "retorts", you described them as harsh, and later had to apologize to him. You don't have to carry cutlass or gun to attack bro. May you see in Jesus' name. If i have time, i''ll try to be clearer than the post i gave wrt the OP.

mazaje: So the verse in James 5:14-16 is falsehood?. . Some one quotes what the bible recommends for sick christians and this deluded one is saying that the person is spreading falsehoods.The thing is you know the reality and the reality is what is written inside James 5:14-16 is pure nonsense, you will never try it yourself, if you get infected with a serious illness like cancer today the hospital is where you will run to, you will never go to the church and try what the bible recommended in James 5:14-16 because you KNOW it is pure nonsense. . .

Does James say to go to church?

InesQor: Lol brother Image123, looks like you're taking the phrase "all my life" literally. He probably meant since he was old enough to understand these things (and I doubt it's impossible for one to have been a deep believer since such a time as that).

Yes i took it literally or it would be meaningless to me. i made a one liner or perhaps two liner comment on that and AIO has been on that case since. i fear oh. i'm not in doubt or belief about the OP's credibility or geniuneness, i simply stated stuff based on a literal comprehension.

Pastor AIO: Ooops!! I believe I owe you an apology. I've just read the previous page again. Your issues with genuine or fake christianity has nothing to do with the OP. You were talking about AMan from Mars. I was mixing it up with the response that Image123 gave to the OP.

I beg your pardon.

my response had almost nothing to do with your attacks on him. i'll respond to that later though. i simply stated a neglected theological truth. Perhaps you read it with the prism of its Image123's post. Nobody, not me nor the OP can be a deep belieever all his life. All have sinned, need to repent and then believe, And that life of believing is no usually a DEEP believing all of life. Perhaps you need to go re-read what i posted, this time less skimming .

Kay 17: In 2012, reports emerged that a Gallup poll involving 57 countries ranks Ghana as the most religious country in the world. The publication read:

'Overall, 59% of those surveyed described themselves as religious, 23% said they are not religious, and 13% said they are convinced atheists.

'The nations with the highest percentages of self-described religious persons are Ghana, Nigeria, Armenia, Fiji, Macedonia, Romania, Iraq, Kenya, Peru, and Brazil.

The nations with the highest percentages of self-described 'convinced atheists' are China, Japan, the Czech Republic, France, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Iceland, Australia, and Ireland.' ( You can read the poll report here: http://www.wingia.com/web/files/news/14/file/14.pdf ).

There is something peculiarly funny and interesting between in the socio-economics and living standards of countries which majority of citizens professed 'religious' as opposed to those countries where majority professed 'convinced atheists' ; - but that is a different matter .

Polls change. Religion is not necessarily righteousness. Anyone or anywhere righteousness is practiced will experience flourishing and prosperity in the long run and bigger perspective. Anyone and anywhere sin is perpetuated and glorified will experience reproach in the long run.

Ecc 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

i hope you do not need comprehensive Bible study to know, see or realise that righteousness involves hardwork, honesty, charity/giving, diligence, peace, love, planning and projection, accountability and other good virtues. Praying, dancing and going to church is not righteousness.

In this piece, I want to argue that in large parts, the socio-cultural parameters for the validation of belief, are to say the least, misleading. And that most people who gladly tick / respond 'religious' to survey questionnaires in fact, do not believe. Easy! Please indulge me.

Couldn't agree less, kindly meditate on this. This contradicts the preceeding paragraph which glibly assumed that religion or being religious is true faith and a yardstick for measurement.

My contention is that most people, in fact, do not believe in God, although they may profess to it. Most people - Yes! That's your mum, daughter, your partner, your priest, your cousin who went to the convent or aspires to some 'respected' and privileged religious position, and definitely not the Pope!

But what is God?
Of course, most people know what I mean when I say God, but since some have adopted this watered down bull-crap of saying God is this nameless, faceless 'energy'/ 'force' that is ingrained in the human mind and fills our consciousness with virtue, and beauty and awe and directs the affairs of men or the universe,blah blahblah and all such nonsense, I am compelled to define what I mean by God.

The God I refer to is this omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent being that created the universe, everything in it, and sets laws for how to live in it. I speak of this God who has set aside some conducts and modes of behavior as virtues, and others as vices. I speak of this God with an earnest sense of justice, who listens to prayers, who intercedes in human affairs. Irrespective of the name assigned to him or the book being touted as his true Word.

Oh you gat me, that's my God described in bold.

If 96 percent of Ghanaians believe in a God whom they pray to, who answers their prayers, watches their lives, and intercedes on our behalf, then our conduct, our actions must reflect that. Well, does it?

When we fall sick, we do not head to the church, to the temple or to the mosque to pray, (ah, but I am mistaken! Alas!, some do, with disastrous consequences! - but that is another matter). When we want an attire we see the tailor. When we have a legal case, we see a lawyer. When our car breaks down, we call a mechanic.

Why is it that when such cases arise we turn to other humans for help? Why do we not take our petitions to God directly and by-pass all these intermediary humans? We almost never choose exclusive prayer.

Here's a deal: let's abolish the law enforcement agencies, forget the military apparatus. Why not? God will protect his children. Unless of course, we aren't sure He will.

God is not against going to hospitals or using medicine. You can go to the hospital, treat yourself and still pray and believe in God. In the end, your belief might still be your saving grace. People still die in the hospitals EVERY day, no?

i'll find time to respond to the rest of the post and perhaps more comprehensively, got to sleep.