National Issues
European Religion: A Nay Or Yay? -By Odu Joke Magaret
I would implore everyone in this country and this great continent (Africa) to let us preserve our tradition and do not allow the European religion to make us neglect our ancient ways, while they tightly hold on to theirs.
“Repent for the kingdom of God is art hand.” The truthful lie they told us!
After being colonized by the Europeans, they imposed their culture and brought their own religion, they made us to believe that, the religion we once had which some still practice (traditional religion) is evil, barbaric and demonic. They brainwashed the people by telling them that, they would not be save nor see heaven if they don’t accept and believe in their own religion. They brought their religion and we ignorantly sold ourselves to them.
Today, we are now the one extorting ourselves. The so called men of God are using us to enrich themselves and their families, while the members are getting poorer. Some person(s) even go to church with their last penny and immediately the “Man of God” mount the podium and inform them that” Give unto to thy Lord for ye shall receive in abundance.” They gullibly give their all and look up to God for “Manna”.
Moving on, even, when the missionaries built schools then, they enrolled the less privileged and whoever wants to learn, but, the reverse is the case today. The churches build schools that the children of the members can not attend.
Furthermore, I cannot mention the bad about European religion has caused without mentioning the good part. The religion has helped in eradicating the act of using human blood and animals for sacrifice or remission of sins. It gives us an easy way to talk to God.
Notwithstanding, the Europeans have their own tradition, which they didn’t allow civilisation to take it away from them. A look at the proclamation and crowning of King Charles after the death of his mother, who happened to be the the former queen of England, late Queen Elizabeth ii, during the coronation, a white ram was seen( intended for sacrifice). This, I think, they used as a sacrifice for the crowning of the king. While we make use of the “books” they introduced to us to sworn in our leaders. Let not forget that they preserve their culture and traditions too.
In conclusion, I would implore everyone in this country and this great continent (Africa) to let us preserve our tradition and do not allow the European religion to make us neglect our ancient ways, while they tightly hold on to theirs.
Odu Joke Magaret
Department of English Language, Lagos State University, Ojo.
