Christianity, Christians And Intra-Religious Segregation

 

This has always been an issue I never wanted to write about because I know how people react when you talk about religion, most particular if you are not a member of that religious group. So before I go into what I have for you I urge you not see this as a religious criticism but as a open suggestion or correction to those people that this may affect.

Firstly, let me say, we all know that most Nigerians belong one of the two major religious groups in the Nigerian setting which are Islam and Christianity and it is said that about 48% of Nigerians are Christians and about 50% are Muslim which basically also means that the Christians are huge part of our dear country but that's not where am going.

For you to understand this write up better I have decided to quickly highlight the fact that we have several Christian bodies or should I say different types of churches in our country. Now all these forms of Christian bodies have their own way of worship which is different from each other and even sometimes by the mode of dressing we can distinguish members of these churches, for example when you see a Catholic member or a White Garment member you can easily identify them because of their mode of dressing.

Now to the many issue at hand, I was having a discussion with a friend who happens to be member of the Baptist church and we were talking about marriage and stuff like that, when he said something that got me thinking. He said “I can never marry a girl that goes to a white garment church unless she accepts to join my church” and out of curiosity I asked him why and he said “I don’t like their mode of worship”.

I wanted to ask what their mode of worship was but as he kept on talking about what and what he didn’t like about them I just kept quiet and listened.  Later that day I thought about what this my friend had said, not that I was surprise because I have had some many people say something similar to that, for instance if you see a typical catholic member he/ she will tell you they can’t worship in a Jehovah witness church.

For me it understandable if Muslims and Christians discriminate among them self at least they are not of the same religious beliefs so it is only logical that one will believe that his own religion is more superior or should I say that his own religion is the true religion. At least you all can testify to the fact that both Muslims and Christians are not always in agreement when it comes to which religion is the true religion.

Now what I am finding difficult to understand is why a Christian will discriminate or should I say disregard another fellow Christian mode of worship. Yes I know they might not probably belong to the same church but aren’t they worshiping the same God or let me say don’t they believe in the same religion? During the time of Jesus I am sure there was no such discrimination amongst  his followers and even the Jewish converted Christians were seen as one (please correct me if am wrong) but let leave that aside and face what is happening in our own society and in our time.

Seeing a Christian criticizing or discriminating another Christian because of his mode of worship is totally wrong to me, so what if she/he is a Catholic and you are a White Garment or Jehovah Witness? the fact that both of you are Christians should mean something, you shouldn’t have to say  because this person is a Seven Day Adventist and you are White Garment worshiper then you can’t marry or even worship with her.

To me I think what should count is the fact that you are Christians and you pray the same way because no matter what the mode of worship might be, na still the name of Jesus una dey call and that is because you all believe that you can’t get through God without passing through Jesus unless you truly don’t believe that, those that attend a different church from yours are Christians like you, I think is time you reconsider your view about them.

I am not saying you should start going to other churches, I am only saying if you are going to criticize a fellow Christian like yourself then it shouldn’t be because of where or how he/she worship.