DIGGING DEEP

DIGGING DEEP….The Quest for Truer Truth.

…perhaps in writing, I might myself, find truth.

Is Christianity just another religion that is in existence like any other before it?

I bet there are differing opinions for and against, with archived points to the chosen stance. A critical look at Christianity raises several questions, not just for it but also for all other existing religions. However, Christianity has chosen to play God (superiority) rather than exist at par with and like other religions. Christianity and its whims need no introduction hence, the focus in this work is their claim of superiority or as usually acclaimed- “The only way of life”.

                If it (Christianity) is the only way of life, it sure begs the question of its whereabouts thousands of years that life has been existing, especially in Africa; where nothing about it was ever known before the colonial era…including in Egypt, the archaeological origin of man.

Of a truth, there has been life, civilisation, and religion in Africa long before the European invasion of the 19^th century. The religion of that age and time had supreme authority and influence over the lives, policy, and coexistence of the people ceded to it geographically. The gods of the old religion blessed when honoured and wreaks havoc when angered. The only way to reach the gods was through the chief priests who stood as the custodian of the temple.

Furthermore, juxtaposing Christianity with Islam, which is as old and wide spread as it, we find out that Christianity came into Africa about the same period Islam entered.

From observation, it seemed whichever got to you first is the one you would cling on to. The Arabian exploration that conquered North Africa including Algeria, Egypt, Niger republic and chad, also swept into northern Nigeria through Sokoto. Led by the late Emir Al-mu’minin- Usman Dan Fodio; a firm jihadist of the nineteenth century. The movement ab initio was a forceful one; a “holy war” according to the laws of the Qur’an. Cruel as it seems, it also preached peace. It has spread across other parts of the country and has endured the times. The Islamic jihad law teaches, “A Muslim shall not willingly dwell in a land of unbelief, but if he has the means at his disposal, he should immigrate from it, to the Abode of Islam. Those Muslims dwelling in the Abode of Islam should wage the jihad against those in the Abode of war (the unbelievers).

It is in the unwritten books of the law that the Muslim jurists divided the world into two parts, the Abode of Islam and the Abode of war- that is, the territory not under Muslim rule.

It is the duty of every Muslim to summon the unbelievers to embrace Islam; if they accept the invitation, they become members of the Muslim community and their territory becomes part of the Abode of Islam. If they refuse, they should be fought against; if they are defeated, those captured in the war becomes slaves…

That movement led to the birthing of some of the northern empires like Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Ilorin etc.

It is assumed and rightly so, that the Christian invaders unlike the Arabic foot soldiers, came through the sea- that is, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Lagos waterways. This probably led to the wide spread Christianity in the east and the south-south Nigeria.

Back to the point in view, Christianity like every other new religion in Nigeria came in an era of religious transition and was widely embraced. However, apart from the stories of the Bible, looking critically around us, it is obvious that the new religions bore better palate to the people.

-A religion where they can still supposedly call forth their blessings,

-A religion in which they do not have to offer regular blood sacrifices,

-A religion that offers supernatural gift/abilities,

-A religion that preaches peace and forbearance,

-A religion in which you do not get instant punishment for your crimes,

-A great life after death…

      What more can one ask for?

That is freedom at its best…and most new religion bears that on their platter.

The only major exception that Christianity offers is its policy of being all encompassing, a Free State system and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The only limitation however, is the variable requirement of Faith, whose variance for efficacy is unknown.

Every religion holds different claims, promises, and abilities. That only makes true one thing of the human race- that religion is the new opium for the weak, ignorant, and desperate. Nevertheless, I have seen the strong hold fast to their faith and have prevailed in it…perhaps; religion is the way of life (and Christianity, the only way of life).

On supremacy and Nigeria as a case in study, research has it that the Islamic movement advised their new converts to destroy their old deities and follow Allah; they did and nothing happened to them. The Christians destroyed their shrines too and liberated communities from idol worship and the people lived free. This indeed establishes hierarchy in the spiritual realm, that the new religion is superior to older religion. Perhaps truly, the new religions believe in same God but bear different names and share some watered down story line.

Furthermore, I am yet to see, read, or even hear it ever said that a Christian is binding someone from the shackles of Islam or a Muslim casting away the spirit of Buddha from anyone. They only renounce and switch faith. This further illuminate something more- this is the era of free religion and some even mistakenly hold the thought that there is no God- Atheism. You can even decide to live life without any religious affiliation- Free thinkers; and still be free and successful. Whatever you do not believe, they say, will not work for/against you. So where does that leave us? Is science the new religion? Because it sure seems to hold its own claims and promises too. I think they have their own sect called the Realist.

You might wonder where I belong, even though that is inconsequential, I will tell you nonetheless. All religions beg questions of reasonable doubt. Most religion do not have constants- real constants because even the scientific constants are subject to change upon new discovery. Religions attribute people’s success to luck, grace, star, destiny, sacrifice…nothing is certain, and none has prove to hold true and infallible over time. There are always slippery slopes alongside.

However, they all share hope of continuous life. Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hindu, all promise great life on earth, and glorious life after death. Even scientists are searching for life in other planets, while trying to make humans live-forever via mutation and other genetic coding process. Moreover, they sure are making steady progress in that regard.

Conclusively, Christianity, the only religion that dares promise “eternal damnation” in the afterlife, seems to be the religion with the better storyline.

No matter what religious affiliation one chooses, two things are involved: either you are fully in it or you should not be there at all.

-The billions of people practising Buddhism cannot all be foolish,

-The billions of Muslims world over cannot possibly be all foolish,

-The billions of people practising the Christian faith cannot be a conglomerate of fool, same goes for Hindu, and other religions.

Perhaps science is the new, better put, upcoming religion of our time…

Only the future can tell the truth.

My take: wherever you find heart’s peace, dwell therein.

                                                                                                                                       Mbonu Eric.