By Lilian Owaga- Author and Creative Writer

Surprisingly, politicians expect to be addressed with respect, yet they cannot requite that same respect to Him, to whom all honour and respect is due.

It is indeed annoying how it has become a norm for politicians to share the altar/pulpit with the King of the entire universe.

They want to blend their gospel of politics with the gospel of the Almighty. Yet, they are not the only ones to blame.

The church leaders, alongside congregants, are as guilty as the former.

It is such a shame to witness those who are the supposed shepherds exposing their flock to such dangers out of negligence and ignorance.

They excuse their sacrilege and abomination in the name of creating alliances to seek funds for the development of their churches.

Others plainly state that they are simply maintaining friendship with their political brethren. But they are allowing predators into their altars and sparing them huge chunks of time to preach their politics and lies!

It has even become a routine, so that the true gospel and other religious activities are carried out hastily to create enough time for the shameless predators.

Politicking in Funerals

Yet this norm is not only conducted in religious places but also in funerals. Is it that politicians are addicted to crowds? So that, the moment they find a gathering, it does not matter to them at all; the essence of such an event, they must proceed with their politics.

Even when families are bereaved and all they need is a solemn moment of farewell to their departed beloved ones, politicians will march forward and chant a few words of condolence, mention how they are affected by the demise of the deceased, only to jump immediately into their selfish manifestos, games of finger-pointing, and calling each other names.

Sometimes they end up creating shameful chaos. How many funerals have been interrupted because of a foul politician, forcing the family to hasten the process, sometimes even amidst flying stones and chairs?

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How Such Acts Propel Cults

It is these very mistakes that have given rise to dangerous cults.

In an attempt to do away with the alleged dubious religious cults, the entire nation ought to understand that the responsibility doesn’t belong to the government alone, but to the individuals as well.

It all begins with the believers and their hearts. Religion is a matter of faith, and since everyone is welcome to choose their stand, they are also expected to be open-minded in what they believe.

Kenyans Should Revisit the Scripture & Act

Since the controversial issue has been attached to Christianity, it is obvious that we have to revisit the scriptures.

Even Jesus Christ would not be pleased to hear about his flock being misled, because he left the world with enough teachings, so clear for Christians to use as guide points.

The rain of unrealistic religious teachings began right when church leaders allowed unacceptable activities like politics to be preached and tailored into church services.

It is not a surprise these days to hear politicians explaining their manifestos and attacking one another openly when given a chance in the church. Please spare the house of God the disrespect!

This is apparently a contributed mistake of the entire congregation, who also leave the door wide open to be misled.

The same congregation allows the entire sermon to address their personal lives and weirdly allows the leaders to make decisions for them.

But the copies of the scriptures have not been edited, have they? Or must Jesus come down personally for the second time to flog such misconduct out of His Father’s house?

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What God Expects

God expects His people to be smart and as skeptical as necessary.

These must be the end times mentioned in the Bible, and now the wave of hypocrisy is massively sweeping away believers. Religion has clearly become an economic business, in which every political investor grabs at the slightest opportunity to secure a potential client.

When Jesus told his disciples to be watchful and prayerful, this is part of what he meant. In other words, he warned them about conforming to the patterns of the world and avoiding being dumb.

Which part of “many will come in my name” don’t Christians understand? The government doesn’t have to extend its duties to battle peculiar religious groups if individual believers make smart decisions about their faith.

Individuals should wake up from their sleep and discern that the enemy is already here, attacking.

Congregants should not hold back quietly as politicians mount the pulpit to preach politics right after the holy gospel, or even in solemn gatherings.

Heavens must be bereaving of the confusion and having a difficult time rescuing such a lost generation!

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Catholic Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa, at podium, is joined by a variety of Kenyan religious leaders during a news conference in Nairobi, Dec. 3, 2024. PHOTO/Fredrick Nzwili.