WHAT SHOULD WE REALLY BE ANGRY AT?

WHAT SHOULD WE REALLY BE ANGRY AT?

I have come across several posts on social media condemning the decision of the opposition candidate; General Muhammadu Buhari to keep his cap on during an interdenominational Thanksgiving service of the Lagos state government a few days ago.  He was a special guest having honored the invitation of his host and outgoing governor of Lagos state; Raji Fashola.

Bro Raji who is himself a Muslim was captured on tape singing loudly and dancing while the praise songs were being sung.  His Christian and Catholic wife was on his left hand side also dancing while the General stood elegantly with his hands clasped and motionless. The video clip clearly captured several dignitaries including Anglican and Catholic Bishops, Rotimi Amaechi, Pastors Adeboyes and the APC vice presidential candidate alongside his wife.  I observed that a few other men had different types of head gear on just like the General. 

Why are people angry? God must have expressed disapproval that a non-Christian dared to venture into His sanctuary and they felt impressed upon to relay the message.  Does the presence of a head covering really halt the move of God? Do angels really bypass any man who covers his head? I think it's actually Jewish custom to pray with skullcap and shawl on; it's normal to have Bishops clothed in flowing robes and skullcaps as well. It must be easy to tolerate Muslim women in hijabs within a church premises because it somehow conforms to the teaching of women doing stuff with their "heads" covered but a Muslim man who is perhaps respecting his God by having his head covered is not viewed that way because he steps into a church or an open field for a  non denominational service.  

Does uncovering one's head equate a healthy fear of God? The subject of head covering as it pertains to what Apostle Paul described in the book of Corithians has been subjected to various interpretations just like the issues of wearing garments belonging to other genders and men having long hair.  Many times literary interpretations are done without ever considering the context and audience to which such epistles were written.  If we paused a moment and put things in proper perspective, the things many of us lose sleep over will be revealed as folly eventually.  Does Goodluck Jonathan taking off his cowboy hat before any type of preacher mean he fears God? The results of his actions and inactions despite his unchanging pious demeanour I'm afraid does not support that theory.  

Would we turn back Shekau from entering our church as long as he is unarmed with weapons or a bomb? Would we let him just sit in the pew to listen to a regular message of hope? Would we turn back a scantily dressed harlot because we fear our pastor would fall into temptation? Would we professionally ask a drunk man with bad breath to kindly sit at the back of our church away from the celebrities and bank executives who have deposited for front row seats? Would we make our churches inaccessible to people who cannot afford to sew the dress code and pattern for the next service?

I was watching the broadcast of the Latter rain assembly on Sunday evening and was very shocked when it was terminated with about 10minutes to go and replaced with a report on power supply in several areas of Lagos. I watched on for about 5minutes hoping that the channel would tender an apology citing a break in transmission due to an unexpected power outage or some trick like that.  It didn't come and I realised that the perennial best TV station in Nigeria winners had pulled the plug on Pastor Tunde Bakare's new year message/ press conference where he expressed his irrevocable support for the candidacy of General Buhari and a step by step analysis of the nation's current economic, political, military and religious predicaments.  

It appeared the broadcast got under the dermis of the incumbent and his sympathisers enough for them to leverage on whatever deposit they had invested into the "independent" network to shut down a paid for broadcast without any explanation.  Are we really in a democracy? Did the exposition on the Okonjo-Iweala voodoo economics by the supposedly "doomsday" prophet equate an act of terror or a stimulant for widespread violence and anarchy? 

I took to Twitter and Facebook to demand answers from the network but no response has come forth till tomorrow.  I left thereafter for the Lagos international airport and had to endure an almost 1 hour crawl along a short stretch of road which must have been last than 500meters.  The road leading up to the drop off zone was jammed with vehicles of all sizes, those with sirens could not maze their way through.  As I got closer, the presence of military men and drums used as barricades became more apparent.  I wondered if we were in a conflict zone when I saw sand bags to my left.  It was soon very shocking when passengers who were running late alighted from their vehicles and either dragged their luggage or hurled it up over their shoulders in a race up to the departure terminal to beat their respective check in deadlines.  I looked to my far right and saw foreigners also rushing to meet the cut only for a young man to appear near my car and pushing an empty luggage cart seeking for anyone willing to pay over the top to have his or her bags pushed up the incline in record time.  

It was really shameful to behold what my nation has degenerated into.  The ongoing remodeling of the car park has been obviously mismanaged without proper and adequate safety nets to cushion the effect of the inconvenience.  What kind of report would those foreigners made to endure hard labour because of an irresponsible system tender when they return to their home nations? A nation where policemen stop you to ask for a token and a customs officer demands that you "bless the table" because you have carried a bag of garri in your check in luggage.  

A man accused of being an intolerant dictator and an Islamic fundamentalist was able to attend a "Christian"  Thanksgiving service without feeling uncomfortable from divine fire and that is not even enough to dissuade skeptics and rumour mongers.  Do they expect him to remove his clothes, dance just like David did and prophesy like Saul before they believe him?

I decided to listen to a video posted by someone this evening and could not stand its content. It was about a preacher's views on Nigeria, the north and Boko Haram. I must say that the views of this man are dreadful, myopic and disgraceful.  I am not sure if anyone in his right senses could have listened on in that auditorium without cringing.  It was shocking to say the least; I expect those who attend that church to begin to question their leader otherwise I will assume they are all cut from the same cloth. 

In our bid to become people of genuine faith, it seems some of us have degenerated to become bigots and fundamentalists; the brood of vipers our Christ called the pharisees.  We have become intolerant and have given room for those who don't believe to further drown in their unbelief.  We have misrepresented our God and are angry at the wrong things.  

Joa

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