Religion, Manipulation, and Socio-Economic Stagnation: A Historical and Contemporary Reflection on Nigeria and Africa

DISCLAIMER:

I acknowledge that there are many sincere and genuine men and women of faith who are committed to guiding and uplifting their communities. For those who have found such leaders, it is important to cherish and maintain those connections. At the same time, it is equally important to recognize that not all may share the same integrity or intentions. It is crucial for individuals to be discerning and mindful in their spiritual journey.

Religion, Manipulation, and Socio-Economic Stagnation: A Historical and Contemporary Reflection on Nigeria and Africa

There are notable similarities between how religion has been used in recent times as a tool of manipulation and how it was employed during the era of the transatlantic slave trade. In both cases, religion has often been misused to justify and maintain systems of exploitation and control. Here's a breakdown of these similarities:

1. Religion as a Tool for Control

During the transatlantic slave trade, European colonizers and slave traders often used Christianity to justify the enslavement of Africans, portraying it as a means to "civilize" and "save" people who were considered "heathens" or "pagans." This religious narrative helped rationalize the brutal system of slavery, making it appear as though the enslavement of Africans was not only permissible but a moral obligation. It framed the oppressors as doing "God's work," thereby masking the horrific exploitation that was taking place.

Similarly, in recent times, religion in some African societies has been used by political elites and some religious leaders as a means of control. Leaders invoke religious sentiments to prevent people from questioning their authority, distracting citizens from holding them accountable for corruption, mismanagement, or exploitation. In both cases, religion is used as a tool to legitimize the status quo and suppress resistance or rebellion by instilling a sense of divine approval for their actions.

2. Promoting Passive Acceptance

During the era of slavery, many enslaved Africans were taught a version of Christianity that emphasized obedience, submission, and the acceptance of suffering. Slaveholders promoted certain biblical passages, such as those instructing slaves to obey their masters (e.g., Ephesians 6:5), to encourage passive acceptance of their condition. This selective interpretation of scripture served to reinforce the institution of slavery by teaching the enslaved that their suffering was part of God's plan and that they would be rewarded in the afterlife for their obedience.

In recent times, this approach has taken a similar form, where religious teachings focus heavily on themes like suffering, sacrifice, and awaiting rewards in the afterlife, rather than empowering individuals to demand justice and create positive change in the present. People are often encouraged to accept their difficult circumstances as part of a divine plan, rather than working to improve their socio-economic conditions. This can create a passive mindset, where citizens are more likely to wait for divine intervention rather than actively seek systemic change.

3. Justifying Inequality and Exploitation

Religion was also used during the slave trade to justify racial hierarchy and inequality. Slave traders and colonizers often portrayed Africans as lesser beings who were destined to be slaves, citing religious ideas of divine favor or the "curse of Ham" to legitimize their actions. By framing the slave trade as divinely sanctioned, the exploitation of African people became easier to rationalize, and moral objections were suppressed.

Today, we can observe similar dynamics in how certain religious leaders accumulate wealth and power at the expense of their followers. In some cases, congregants are taught that their financial contributions to religious institutions will lead to divine blessings, even if it puts them into financial hardship. This can create a system where religious leaders live in luxury while their followers remain impoverished. Just as during the slave trade, religion is used to mask exploitation by presenting it as something divinely ordained.

4. Exploitation of Vulnerability

Both during the slave trade and in recent times, religion has often been used to exploit vulnerable populations. During the era of slavery, many Africans were forcibly converted to Christianity, with their spiritual beliefs and practices dismissed as inferior. Enslaved Africans were vulnerable due to the trauma of displacement, violence, and subjugation, and religion was used to further control and manipulate them in their weakest state.

In contemporary Africa, many people facing poverty, unemployment, and systemic injustice turn to religion for hope and guidance. This vulnerability is sometimes exploited by religious leaders, who promise miracles, prosperity, or healing in exchange for financial contributions or unquestioning loyalty. In this way, religion is used to maintain power over vulnerable populations, offering spiritual solutions to socio-economic problems that require practical interventions.

5. Co-opting of Religion for Political or Economic Gain

During the era of the slave trade, religious institutions often collaborated with economic and political interests to maintain the system of slavery. Churches in Europe and the Americas often benefited financially from the slave trade, and religious leaders either remained silent or actively supported the system. Religion was co-opted to serve the economic and political interests of the elite, rather than standing as a moral force for justice and equality.

In recent times, we see similar patterns, where religion is sometimes co-opted by political leaders for their own benefit. In many African countries, political leaders invoke religious rhetoric to gain support, even when their actions contradict the ethical teachings of those religions. Some religious leaders, in turn, receive political protection or financial support in exchange for endorsing political figures or keeping congregants from demanding accountability. Just as in the era of slavery, religion is used to prop up systems of power that benefit the few at the expense of the many.

Conclusion: A Cycle of Manipulation

In both the era of the slave trade and recent times, religion has often been manipulated by those in power to justify exploitation, maintain control, and suppress resistance. While religion can and has been a force for liberation and social justice, it can also be co-opted to serve oppressive systems when interpreted selectively or used for personal gain.

The key issue is not religion itself but how religion is used. When religion is manipulated to keep people passive, justify exploitation, or maintain unjust power structures, it can be harmful. However, when religion inspires action, justice, and accountability, it can be a powerful force for positive change. In both historical and contemporary contexts, the challenge lies in ensuring that religion remains a force for liberation, equality, and empowerment, rather than a tool of manipulation.

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Aderogba Otunla, Ph.D.