Men of Cloth and I

And so recently tweets of mine about a certain Zimbabwean “Prophet” made it to the front page of the Chronicle and ZimEye (follow the link for the ZimEye Article). I never believed that his prophecy prediction would come true so mine wasn’t anger; mine was simply a call for an explanation from this man who had made statements in the name of God.

It is no secret, I have a huge problem with a large number of these so called prophets and prophetesses that are sprouting all over the Christian scene in Zimbabwe. I truly believe that very many of them in their shiny suits and jelled up hair are using the Word of God as a profit making scheme and it’s just not right. I also think that some of them have preyed on desperate Zimbabweans who are beleaguered by an insurmountable number of problems. Selling hope and profiteering in the process.

My disdain was conceived five years ago when I attended a church service at a particular church. After wowing the church with his eloquence and flair Pastor So and So proceeded to make a call for anyone who sought deliverance. One of the friends I was with who happens to be deaf walked up to the front of the church and communicated that she wanted to hear. Pastor So and So proceeded to pray fervently in tongues, and then he blew several times into her ears. After having done so, he asked if she could now hear, she read his lips as she has always done and answered no. Pastor So and So’s response to this was “YOU HAVE NO FAITH”.

My friend cried herself to sleep that night.

What did he mean she had no faith? Isn’t standing up and waking down an isle and standing in front of the pulpit a sign if faith. What made a 21 year old woman who was born deaf decide that she too could on that day could hear? Is it not faith???

Needless to say I have become very sceptical of many a man of cloth.

Would this post be complete if I didn’t remind you of the hot on the stands Gumbura story? I rest my case, my cynicism is justified…