1Joseph Monday Orji, 2Donatus Oluwa Chukwu, 3Albert Ogoko & 4Onwugbenu Adindu Sunday
1, 2, 3 &4Department of Philosophy, Religion and Peace Studies, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Corresponding Author’s E-mail: okosisimj@yahoo.com
Abstract
The proliferation of Independent African Churches has become the reigning thing in Nigeria cum Africa. The split of churches allows each founder to claim divine origin of their ministry. This rapid growth of African Independent Churches is borne out of the freedom of religion and worship. However, Christian religion is sometimes called “Jesus’ business” as it appears to be the easiest way of making money through the “selling of miracles”, collection of tithes, offering, seed sowing; and as the means to the top of the prestigious ladder of belonging to the multimillion religious leaders. Hence, there are churches at every nook and cranny of the city. Billboards of ministers are hoisted all over the city. We have more of the Independent Churches than that of industries and companies. This study used Qualitative Research Method, which is analytical, descriptive and theoretical. It raised critical research questions. What was the faith of African independent ministers as Covid-19 pandemic ended all public worships? This work discovered that despite the presence of independent churches, Nigerian society is eaten up by corruption, despotism, sex abuse, covetousness and manipulation of the populace by swindlers and charlatans “in the name of Jesus.” The study found out that there was over dependence of ministers on church collections; which should not be. It recommended other means of self- subsistence because of the uncertainty of relaying on the congregation.
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