OPINION: Oyedepo And His Promise Of Hellfire

In a opinion piece written on Daily Trust by Kokoette Akpan (editor, contributor on political issues), the author examines the 2015 elections verdicts given by the most popular pastors, bishops and clergymen.
Akpan argues that the clergymen should keep their opinions to themselves, as they are role models to others.
Read his opinion below:

From the way most of our clerics talk nowadays, it goes to show that they are, after all, businessmen who may ordinarily not know God more than most of their followers.

The only difference is that they make God’s Work (I now scantly believe) their daily calling by reading the Holy Books and interpreting in their own way. Most of them are not mindful of how developed minds would weigh their utterances, which may easily showcase that they are better than the clerics.

Some of these so-called men of God destroy people’s homes in varied ways; they make people steal from their employers in order to enrich them; they make most of their followers poorer while they themselves get richer; they lead people into sin rather than teach them how to make eternal heaven.
My consideration is that clerics in this category are not better than the sinners and extremists abound in various religious beliefs, and I have Boko Haram in mind also.

While Pastor Kumuyi of Deeper Life Bible Church is busy admonishing his followers to pray for violence-free elections, Pastor Adeboye continues asking his followers to pray God to make Nigerians vote the right candidates; Bishop Oyedepo went busy last week telling President Jonathan that he (Oyedepo) would release hell fire to consume those who are against his current re-election bid.

This statement from the once respected bishop could mean that he is the Chief Security Officer of the Hell’s Gate, and that he is in control. Whereas I know and believe that good clerics would pray for peace to be unto all and let God’s will be done. 

I am certain that many members of his church, like myself, are not happy that the bishop we look up to, could throw such a venom to human beings created by God Almighty, or has he assumed the position of God? President Jonathan, being a politician should have people who are against his re-election because they feel not satisfied with his performance so far.

This is expected as we are in a democratic setting. This ‘man of God’ flies in his personal jets bought with his church members’ fund. But are the members as privileged? He has just said that any person who is not on Jonathan’s side should be consumed by the hellfire. I say God forbid! I cease to be a member of his church henceforth because, while I support Jonathan, my parents do not. I do not want hellfire to visit my parents. It can only visit them if I said ‘Amen’ to that prayer of Oyedepo.

If I should say to hell with my Bishop Oyedepo, I believe God may receive my prayer better than his because Oyedepo should know better than me and should be seen to be preaching God’s peace to all mankind. During the 2011 elections, Pastor Tunde Bakare mentioned that most of his colleagues sold their conscience; now I believe him.