It is highly disturbing to persistently have the eardrums of Nigerians jarred by the inanities of choosing a political candidate, specifically, as dominating our recent discourses, presidential running mate, on the basis of religion. It is even more disturbing that our mainstream media hosts have recently given too much oxygen to this huge DISTRACTION.
The way some “Muslims” and “Christians” talk about religious representation in government in Nigeria reveals their inconsiderate assumption that every Nigerian professes EITHER Islam or Christianity. This also suggests an erroneous assumption that every voter is affiliated to one of the two.
I need to remind religious zealots in Nigeria that ours is constitutionally a SECULAR country, and that Nigeria is populated by non-Islamists and non-Christians too.
If we are tired of the old Nigeria, putting religion on the forefront of our political choices is not in agreement with a New Nigeria. That is an attribute of the disgusting Old Nigeria that we must break with. If you are still stuck with the old Nigeria, by all means vote against the candidates whose political choices are not favourable to your religious preferences. It is your right; but, please, don’t force your PERSONAL religious biases into our national discourse.
Furthermore, if you are looking for a DEFENDER of your FAITH, please, let me announce to you that none exists in the POLITICAL ARENA. Rather, pray to your DEITY for PROTECTION. Politicians are neither religious priests nor warriors; but it may happen that some priests have become politicians. Those must apply the ethical principles of their faith in governance for the good of ALL. They must not use religion as a dividing saw.
The wave of TERRORISM that has engulfed Nigeria lately bears no religious coloration, no matter the efforts being put into the deception propaganda to argue otherwise. Its victims cut across RELIGIONS. We need brilliant leadership to solve our INSECURITY problems, not religious bigots in public office, who lack knowledge, character, and skills, but who exploit the unbridled and unexamined religious sentiments of the uninformed religious.
I conclude by rejecting the false claims on ISLAMIZATION by a sect of “Christians”. True Christians have been taught by their Lord that the greatest danger to their faith is DECEPTION from false prophets. Their Master has taught them to not “fear those who can kill only the body, but cannot touch their spirit.” How absurd it is that those “Christians”, who fear “islamization”, don’t have the CHRISTIAN FAITH. True Christians don’t fear the world, because they have the overcoming weapon, which is their FAITH, for the Holy Scripture says, “Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our FAITH.” [1 John 5:4]
FEAR TORMENTS, AND PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR. HE WHO FEARS IS NOT MADE PERFECT IN LOVE. HIS HEART IS CORRUPT. AS HE THINKS IN HIS HEART, SO IS HE. BY PROJECTING ON YOU THE EVIL HE IMAGINES YOU MAY DO TO HIM, HE EXPOSES THE HIDDEN DAGGER WITHIN HIS SOUL.
Leonard Karshima Shilgba
General Overseer
Bible Clinic Ministry
© Shilgba
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