I grew up faithfully attending church services almost every Sunday, but when I was about 16 or so, I became somewhat withdrawn from my faith.
Later, I would learn that it is a pretty common occurrence as we grow away from the blind faith of our parents to our own personal beliefs.
That is why I believe so strongly in the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities Commission (CPPRCRLCC) that it will come to the rescue of many people and give solutions to many of the people who have been sucked in and deceived by false pastors and prophets, including myself.
The CPPRCRLCC has summoned church leaders to present among others, the church’s annual financial statements dating back to 2012, bank statements, qualifications of priests, their institution of learning and proof of ordination, annual general meetings’ minutes, title deeds and or lease agreements.
The commission also demanded churches’ statement of faith, governance documents, size of congregations – number of families, church ministry regulating authority, church registration documents, whether the church sells god and on what basis, does the church charge admission fee at gatherings, the mechanism utilise to receive income – tithing, investment, contribution and whether services of foreign religious leaders are utilised and do they have work permits, and how payments are made to foreign religious leaders.
One of the objections or problems I had with some of the churches as a teen (a problem I still have) is the commercialisation of religions and promises of miracles by churches, mosques, synagogues and other houses of religion.
The recent stories I read in the news and watch on various television channels are making me feel fearful, scared and powerless.
The beginning of this goes back to a report that a “pastor” in the Soshanguve Township in Tshwane was not feeding his congregation the traditional loaves and fish (or even bread and wine) but petrol, snakes and women’s wigs, which the pastor, Penuel Mnguni claimed, turned to chocolate and bread in the mouths of his followers.
Mnguni is by no means the only “pastor” doing this. Depending on your own beliefs, you may, or may not feel that other people operate very similar operations to that of Mnguni.
Around here in our very own Umjindi, a pastor who claims to have resurrected a man from the dead, has emerged.
The pastor’s tent, which is set up somewhere around Emjindini, always has a long line of people queuing in front of it.
People from all walks of life are always seen flocking there just like bees to honey.
Words on the street are that the pastor has commercialised his prayers. He is reported to charge sums raging from R150 upwards, depending on the sickness and assistance you are looking for. He is also selling some holy water.
With so many desperate people out there in our communities, they are easily falling into such traps that promise them better lives.
To me there is no doubt that people like Mnguni and others, are liars, and almost certainly thieves. Today we have many false religions proclaiming many ways to eternal life. They are taking from the poor to feed their own rich tastes.
Good people, there are many sheep in wolves’ clothing in the world today. Be vigilant!
