I cannot quite agree ‘with it being outrageous, because there is merit to the probe.
For those who missed the news, South African churches and traditional healing practices will be the subject of intense scrutiny by the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (yes I know, who knows what they do).
The commission is launching an investigative study, apparently to the irritation of some, on the commercialisation of religion.
The scope of the probe would see the affairs, especially the finances, of churches, mosques, synagogues and other houses of religion and spirituality coming under scrutiny.
There are concerns – as scores of churches and traditional healing practices mushroom throughout the country – many of them are benefiting financially, yet failing to truly deliver a spiritual product of worth or merit.
The commission is perturbed that churches and traditional healers who claim they can do certain miracles are not held accountable to ensure that they actually deliver such a product (we all know, for example, of creams that can ensure growth of a certain private part).
This probe follows the apparently dubious actions of religious leaders, such as the Soshanguve pastor who made headlines after he fed a rat, snake and hair to his congregants (if I was a congregant I would rather find a place that serves pizza!).
Such an investigation should receive the thumbs up, keeping in mind, as the commission has stated, that this is not a witch hunt as in the days of the Spanish Inquisition.
Without a doubt, and some might not like to hear this, it is easy to make money out of religion of any kind or shape.
Shocking, but true, some have opted for practicing religion as a means of creating a job for themselves, but they are not qualified on any level to really do so – be it according to natural or spiritual laws.
It is just too easy, through religious manipulation and clever motivational rhetoric, to convince “followers” to believe your “truth”, and just as easy to get people to fund such a “doctrine”.
For some, religion is merely a business, while others have seen the opportunity to run it like a well-oiled money scheme.
Clearly, what is happening in Pretoria is a travesty. To tell people to eat grass or snakes is the gross manipulation of the minds of vulnerable people for own gain.
You can bet plenty of money is rolling into certain bank accounts as people are force-fed the ridiculous deception that they are engaging in sane religious practices to ensure their prosperity and well-being.
It is the sad truth that it is not rocket science to sell a so-called miracle, or to make people believe that you have the power to make a miracle transpire.
But, more than often, such a “miracle” comes at a price, with the “offering” or the “payment” then used to fund a four-storey luxury house or a shiny new SUV.
And this does not just apply to the Christian faith, but to traditional healers who promise people the moon and the stars, as long as they pay an arm or a leg for such trickery.
We live in a tough world, where poverty, famine, violence and heartache are common, so people are often looking for some kind of miracle cure.
Where there is a need (demand) you will always find someone who will meet such a demand, to offer the solution, but it becomes a travesty when the solution, carrying a hefty price tag, is bogus.
There are, after all, horror stories of supposed religious leaders who ask for thousands of Rand to perform a “miracle”, to speak a prophetic word or to just meet with the supplicant.
Fair enough, there are many in this country and town who are genuine in their faith and practice when it comes to the spiritual, but boy, there are many who have seen an opportunity to ride the gravy train while their “congregants” suffer in poverty, waiting for the promised miracle.
Destructive and abusive religious practices should be halted, because any person who seeks some kind of true spiritual enlightenment should be protected from the lie of having to eat grass or snakes to obtain such peace of mind.
