The Deceptive face of Religion in Sierra Leone

Prior to the advent of our current two dominant religions in Sierra Leone, Islam and Christianity, the country’s, inhabitants rested their faith on the African Traditional Religion which is also monotheistic and embraces the omnipresence of God that gives the cause for worshipers to use intermediaries in glorifying the Almighty, God but which was misconstrued by the White man as idolatry because of lack of understanding of the Blackman’s concept of divinity. Islam gained a foothold in the North of the country prior to the advent of Christianity in the 17th century and it became entrenched during the jihadist period in West Africa. Christianity first gained a foot hold in the West and South of the country and later made inroads into the North where it had been resisted for so long according to my research and investigation or Radar.

According to my Radar today, Islam stands to be the most dominant religion in the country winning over 80 % of the population but in contemporary times it is slowly losing members to the muscular churches characteristic with their singing and dancing which became popular through the advent of Nigerian pastors who introduced the concept of “miracles” that sounds so enticing to the poverty stricken society.

Historically followers of religion are God fearing people, especially the Imams, Pastors and their followers because of what the religious holy books say, particularly the Quran and Bible about being unholy or doing unholy things, including corruption and giving false witness against someone. In view of that Imams and Pastors are always regarded to be poor people in does days. Because they always restrained themselves from doing things that will lead them into sinful act, such as stealing, adultery and land grabbing in their lives. Therefore, they always depend on their ordinary salaries and honest gifts from their members or public. They were well known to be honest and sincere peace makers in the societies they lived by then. That was why in does days when a school going child told his or her parents that he would like to become Imam or Pastor, they would swiftly ask him, did you want to become a poor man. But today, religion all over the word becomes a hob, especially in Sierra Leone for quick money making or riches.

However, regardless of what circumstances, Islam and Christianity remain to be the two dominant religions in Sierra Leone. But as the capitalist orientation gradually gains a foothold in the country, the Reverends, Imams and even worshippers who have been well known to be honest, sincere and peace makers, tempted to take elusive paths that may end them in Hell which they feared so much and for which they pray against every day because of their everyday earthly deeds as I said. According to my research and investigation or Radar, the two prominent golden religions are now become viable business for some of their corrupt followers in the country at the expense of their honest and sincere hard working religious leaders.

Because on both sides some of the religious leaders themselves have opened their eyes more on money than on spirituality though they urge the worshippers not to do the same –-“Do as I say but not as I do”. According to my Radar, among the most affluent in society today are the religious leaders who could boast of driving the most expensive jeeps, and have numerous houses, parcel of lands and concubines around the city. Some have become notorious in land disputes. The voracity for money has accounted for fist fights and melees in mosques. In some instances police had to intervene and it took time for the dust to settle according to my Radar.

According to my Radar, as some religious leaders in the country become hunters of quick riches, recently a container of carpets sent for a particular mosque in Freetown was sold by the executive members of the mosque in the country. Now the mosque is still using old locally made mats. Can you imagine! This and many more are what has caused many people to wonder whether religion is a symbol of spiritualism or commercialization. In view of that many people tend to have less respect for religion and their leaders. Now religion is associated with violence, wars and corrupt activities.

Everywhere in the country, especially in the capital Freetown, young men could now be seen posing either as pastors or sheikhs. In the good old days reverends used to be retired civil servants who devote their time and energy to serve the church and humanity. But today they have been replaced by young men who have what is called in local parlance “fast brains”. They know how to make and rake money and they succeed in doing so. That was why I urged all patriotic peace, progress and development loving Sierra Leoneans in one of my recent writings to be aware of such quick money making religious leaders and be watchdogs for the country’s security. These shylock religious money hunters will do anything stupid that will put the country’s peace and stability to a serious risk.

According to my Radar, usually in Islam, the Sheikhs used to be graduates from Islamic colleges in North Africa or the Middle East and there used to be a distinction between them and Imams who never went there and who were simply regarded as Imams. The sheikhs were both imams and addressed as sheikh because of their erudity. But today even those who could only recite and interpret not more than five surahs in the Holy Quran regard themselves as Sheikhs. These young men equate themselves with the real sheikhs. But unfortunately their demeanour most times serves as a misrepresentation of Islamic tenets.

According to my Radar, one commonly known as Sheikh Haroun Khahirat Sesay who gives the impression that he is a sheikh but has never led prayer and has been accused of engaging in criminal acts. In one instance he and a pupil of the Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood Secondary School in Freetown were invited by the police to be interrogated for a stolen computer at PZ in the centre of Freetown. It tells you how deep Islam has sunk into the drains. It is a common phenomenon among so-called pastors who every now and then are seen in courts on various criminal charges. You wonder what is going on. This is neither the Christianity that Jesus left nor the Islam that Muhammad (peace be on him) left).

Therefore, Government and honesty peace loving Sierra Leoneans should not forget some of these religious criminal pretenders. They will one day cause serious problem in the country if the needed attention is not given to them because of their hungry for quick money making at the expense of the nation. They may easily connive with religious extremists to cause mayhem in the country because of money.

The lust to gain money is spreading therefore no religion can completely walk on the right path not even the worshipers. However, there are fine, nice, hardworking, honest and sincere Pastors and Imams, in spite of the rotten and criminal ones among them that giving the reputable and dignified religions into disrupt in the country because of their love for money.

Religion means peace, love, unity, honesty, sincerity and caring for one another. But not hate, dishonesty, insincerity, violence, war or by putting on coat, coat, gowns or dress from head to toe while your heart and mind are full with deception and deceitfulness.

BY Tony Bee, Sydney Australia

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!