By Dr. Ijabla Raymond,
It is unnecessary to make this a long article because the evidence against Prophet T.B Joshua is overwhelming. Joshua took his gamble too far when he predicted Hillary Clinton will win the recent U.S. election. His prediction is well documented on video and in a Facebook post, which he has since deleted. Fortunately, the post had been captured in screenshots by Facebook users thus exposing Joshua’s deceit and making him the object of ridicule the world over. This did not surprise me because Joshua’s antics are off the charts and are denounced even by his fellow charlatans and pastorpreneurs.
Like Adeboye, Oyedepo, Oyakhilome and others, Joshua has been exploiting the gullibility of millions for decades to enrich himself. To avoid the type of embarrassing situation Joshua now finds himself, these pastorpreneurs often deploy vague language when they address their followers. They do everything in their power not to be specific in their pronouncements so as not to get caught out. A classic example is when they issue their end-of-year prophecies which quite often contradict one another even though they claim to be hearing from the same God. You can read my analysis of end-of-year prophecies here .
The sermons preached by men like Joshua can be dangerous. A Ghanaian psychiatrist working for NHS England was struck off the medical register after he told a patient with mental illness that her condition was caused by demons and recommended she went to Joshua’s church for spiritual treatment. This is how violations of the medical code of conduct are dealt with in civilized climes. When his church building collapsed and crushed many people to death Joshua was all over the spot blaming imaginary enemies for flying imaginary planes over the building rather than accepting responsibility for the breach of building planning and permission rules as reports suggest. I am often amused by the stage-managed deliverance sessions in his church. Demons get to speak into microphones and hold conversations with Joshua, the exorcist. The paid actors would convulse, grimace and writhe their limbs for added drama effect which always seem to work up the emotions of the gullible congregants. When the pastor waves his hands, hundreds of worshippers fall over themselves at a time (supposedly under the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit) but never the camera-men. But when such an intimate and private affair as childbirth is conducted in the church in full glare of the cameras, it is no longer amusing and we ought to ask ourselves whether the time has come to regulate religious activities. No doubt, there would have been medical professionals in the congregation watching that childbirth and cheering, thus validating both Joshua and the appalling practice. Should these medical professionals not answer to the bodies that regulate their professions?
I do not believe in miracles. I believe there is an explanation for every event including those we refer to as supernatural. I challenge all the Adeboye’s, Oyedepo’s, Oyakhilome’s, Kumuyi’s, and every pastor and every Christian out there who believes in miracles and divine healing to cause an amputated limb to grow back. Jesus prophesied that those who believe in Him would do far greater miracles than he did. I promise to end my unbelief and use my talent to spread the gospel if my wish is met. I am not interested in the resurrection tales because I know death can be faked and death certificates can be easily forged. All I ask for is a simple, verifiable piece of a miracle – let me see a believer grow an amputated limb. Until this happens, I will continue to withhold belief in miracles and supernatural events. I distrust anyone who claims to perform miracles. I think they are deluded. Or lying.
If our people applied common sense and stopped searching for miracles and shortcuts, they would become more productive and live more fulfilled lives. Consider the number of man-hours wasted on night vigils and in prayer houses every day and imagine the difference these would make if they were invested in charitable causes or community service. Do you really need to deprive yourself of sleep to hear another man tell you that you can pass an examination, get a job, buy a car, own a home, get married, get a pay rise etc? What has happened to us?
Ijabla is a medical doctor and a humanist. He writes from the U.K.
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