Democracy promotes collective empowerment and is it is deeply human. The values of democracy cannot be quantified. It is anchored on freedom, unity, transparency, fairness, acceptance of other viewpoints, and respect for individual rights. Angels and spirits do not practice democracy, humans do. It is therefore worrying to see and hear what we are hearing and seeing these days. We have pastors and the so-called prophets who have carefully abandoned their core duty as messengers of God, and stakeholders in the building up of the Kingdom of God. They have suddenly metamorphosed into religious and spiritual electoral commissioners declaring who has won and who has lost an impending election. This can only happen in Ghana.
The duty of a pastor is principally shepherding. A pastor shepherds the flock of God, leading them away from the troubled waters of immorality, division, hatred, idolatry, vain glory, bad theology, fake prophecies, and unrestrained desire for materialism. It is the duty of a pastor to educate himself or herself well, understand the Word of God, teach same with wisdom and common sense, inspire his flock to live in peace with all people, play their roles as citizens, love their neighbour, follow the Lord faithfully, and adhere to the teachings of sacred scripture.
These are what we expect from our pastors and religious leaders. Instead of leading the flock of God into deeper holiness, greater faith, and teaching them to honour and serve the Lord with all their strength, these “election-related pastors” have unfortunately become messengers and spokespersons of political parties. Some of them are declaring winners and losers even before presidential candidates file their documents with the Electoral Commission. This is absolutely mind-boggling and a mockery of Christianity.
We have read about the Prophets of old like Daniel, Samuel, Jonah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Zachariah and many other noble men and women of God in the Bible. They did not call themselves; they did not choose themselves; they were not founders and leaders of churches, sects and prayer groups. They were called by the Almighty and sent to minister to the people of God. We have also read about the apostles and disciples of Jesus who were faithful to their calling and who conducted themselves with utmost dignity. Many of them died in obedience to God and in fidelity to their calling. Today, the word “Prophet” or “Prophecy” has virtually lost its profound dignity and significance. It is a name that almost amounts to 419, deception, fake life, fraud and sorcery.
The disciples of the Lord did not call themselves prophets, those that came after the disciples neither called themselves prophets. So, these modern-day prophets who will not allow us to breathe, where do they come from? Who called them? What is their motivation? What is their mandate and responsibility? They are the ones who among other things are declaring election results even before candidates file their documents with the Electoral Commission. A careful assessment of these Prophets or Pastors and the message they present will reveal a huge credibility deficit, lack of biblical knowledge, poor theology, poor pastoral formation, prosperity induced catechesis, sheer ignorance, religious abuse, and the inordinate desire to acquire wealth. Christianity in Ghana and in Africa in general is losing its shine due to these poorly trained and self-serving prophets and pastors.
What is absolutely funny and religiously demeaning is the claim that elections are held in the spiritual realm. In Austria, Italy, Germany, France, Latin America, Australia, the Caribbeans, USA, and other parts of the world elections are not held in the spiritual realm. It is only in Ghana, a third world country in sub-Saharan Africa, that elections are first held in the spiritual realm. So, what will make God become so much concerned about a country called Ghana, to the extent that Ghana’s election will be held in the spiritual realm before it is done by human beings? It is only in Ghana that elections are conducted in the spiritual world and these so-called prophets or pastors are always the spiritual observers. Religion is indeed very powerful and can potentially be used for the worst ends. We cannot blame anybody but ignorance, illiteracy, the lack of biblical culture and the absences of critical thinking among the masses.
There is nothing like election in the spiritual realm. If politicians fail to communicate their achievements, programs and policies, they will be ignored by the people, and no pastor or prophet could save them from losing an elections. Those who are unable to articulate properly what they have done, and what they intend to do in a more convincing manner will ultimately suffer from their lack of communication.
We expect politicians to act swiftly on the pressing needs of the people, live above reproach and remain as credible as possible in order to win the trust and confidence of the electorate. Ghana needs men and women who have strong will, not weak and easily compromised, individuals with proven character of integrity, and are prepared to sacrifice for the sake of Ghanaians. Pastors and the so-called prophets must understand that elections are won or lost at the polling station and not in the spiritual realm.
The Angels do not even have freewill like us, and the saints in heaven do not do politics. Our Ancestors who have gone before us do not practice any form of democracy. Democracy, politics, choosing leaders through the ballot box are done by human beings and not spirits. Any pastor who talks about elections in the spiritual realm is worse than a pagan. Such a prophet or a pastor knows nothing about the duties and responsibilities of a man of God. Such people are self-serving, deceptive and cannot be trusted with the flock of God.
It is time Ghanaians became conscious of these fake pastors and the underlying motif of their message. God never forces leaders on people, He rather gives them choices, and the choice is ours on 7th December 2024 to carve a better future for ourselves. May the Lord bless our homeland Ghana and make it great and strong.
Francis Kwabena Gyabaah
Faculty of Catholic Theology
University of Vienna, Austria.
Source: Francis Kwabena Gyabaah Faculty of Catholic Theology University of Vienna, Austria.
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