OPINION: Why Nigeria Is A Huge Market For Pentecostal Pastors |The Source

By Olu Daramola, SAN

“Before I travelled to Israel, I used to believe that the Jews’ phenomenal achievements in all areas of human endeavours was because they were the annoited of God. But the thought vanished after  spending three days there.

I saw things for myself. First, there is no milk and honey flowing in their land. It was a desert with acute shortage of rainfall and water.

For Agriculture, they depend on massive irrigation. The Jews  are extremely hardworking, resourceful and innovative. They are determined to rise above the challenges in their environment.

The Jews are not Christians but Judaists.

The main difference between Judaism and Christianity is the total rejection of Jesus as the messiah. They also do not believe a word in the New Testament.

In their Bible, there’s no New Testament. Despite their abhorrence of Christianity and Jesus, they were smart enough to explore the commercial opportunities that pilgrimage offers.

Israel makes billions of dollars yearly by commercializing a belief or faith they do not share.

Jesus was not killed by the Roman rulers of Judea but by his fellow Jews who saw him as a threat to the Religious establishment. Over 2000 years after, they are yet to change their mind about him.

Nobel Laureates Are Atheists

More than 90 per cent of the Nobel Laureates are Atheists. Albert Einstein who was declared as the greatest scientist of the 20th

Century was an Atheist. He neither accepted Christianity nor Judaism.

Looking at the countries that are doing well in the world,  you will see that it has nothing to do with their religious beliefs or special favours from God. Their progress has more to do with the choices they have made.

Trump Does Not Read The Bible

Look at Donald Trump, He does not read the Bible but he knows that to win an election in America, you must pretend to share the sentiments of the evangelical Christians. That was precisely what he did.

Japan was the first country in the world to achieve the feat of turning its name into a brand. Once you see made in Japan on any product, you are assured of its excellent quality. Japanese people are neither Christians, Muslims nor Judaists. They achieved success because they are hardworking, resourceful, innovative and honest. What of Singapore that leapt from  the fringes of third world to the first world? I can go on and on.

How Religion Is Used To Exploit Nigerians

In Nigeria, despite being blessed with huge natural and human resources, we do not want to succeed by vigorously exploiting the resources. We are dreamers hoping to succeed without lifting a finger. We are miracle chasers who also cut corners. This explains why there is a huge market in Nigeria for Diviners, Sorcerers, Prophets and Pentecostal Pastors who promise  prosperity without labour.

Chinese, Our Masters

The Chinese are fast becoming our new masters in Africa. In 1960, Nigeria had a better prospect for success than China and Singapore. In fact Western Region in Nigeria had television before Australia.

UAE Are Muslims

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most visited tourist cities in the world. This was inconceivable just 20 years ago. They are 100 per cent Muslims. This is the same Religion that is exporting terror in many Arab and African countries including our dear country Nigeria. No UAE citizen has been accused anywhere in the world of involvement in terrorism. Their  cities are more modern than Paris, New York and London.

The Lies

Therefore, I do not share the belief that the greatness of the Jews has anything to do with fulfilment of any prophecy. On the contrary, it can only be attributed to their iron-cast determination to succeed in the face of all odds.

It is awkward to attribute Einstein’s success to any special blessing when the man never believed in God or offered any prayer throughout his lifetime.

Material success has nothing to do with God

If it were so, Nigerians should be the richest people on earth because our greatest export, apart from crude oil is religion.

Let’s get to work