Sometimes I feel like the religion of the 80s had more sincerity, discipline, and accountability than what we see in the 21st century. In the 80s, faith seemed simpler, more genuine, and less commercialized.
Today, we are surrounded by countless stories of fake pastors, questionable clerics, and even deceptive herbalists. It raises a deep and uncomfortable question: has religion lost its true essence?
In our country, traditional religion was once the pride and identity of our ancestors ,but today , reverse is the case, in many cases, labeled as something inferior and forbidden.
Ironically, foreign religions are now widely accepted and often seen as superior. This shift is not just spiritual; it reflects how much influence, colonization, and societal pressure have shaped our beliefs, whereas the question remains: are we choosing faith based on truth, or based on what society has conditioned us to believe?
There was a time when religious leaders were symbols of sacrifice and service. We saw pastors who used the offerings of their congregation to build schools, support the less privileged, and strengthen their communities. Their lives reflected the teachings they preached but today, some of these leaders are more focused on wealth, luxury, and influence.
They preach against worldly vanity while living in it. It creates confusion and weakens the trust people once had in religious institutions.
Looking deeper, followers are not entirely innocent in this situation, many religious and non religious people of today are no longer patient with the natural process of life. Everyone wants instant solutions, quick miracles, immediate breakthrough, and overnight success. This desperation has created a market where religion is no longer just about faith, but platform for transactions between the religion leaders and followers. People give not out of conviction, but out of expectation of returns and benefits. Do we really have true religion in this era?
In some Islamic circles, individuals who are meant to guide spiritually have also deviated, mixing practices in ways that raise concern, but again, it reflects the demand of the people. When society begins to prioritize miracles over morals, the system gradually shifts to meet the demand. Some clerics are now mixing giving black powder to worshipers to use with alcohol and even using human parts for rituals. What a shame! Where did we go wrong?
clerics making sacrifices , killing people for rituals, invoke dark spirits to make money and cause chaos in spiritual world. We don’t even know who’s true cleric and who’s fake cleric.
In islam, no one dare call Jinn, afrits or ivrit spirit for money rituals in the olden days, but today, it’s what it is. Religion is doom because a once pure religion is now over stained.
Traditional religion once stood on strong principles of discipline, truth, and accountability. Deities like Ogun and Sango were not to be joked with, they represented justice, consequences, and order. But today, even that sacred space is being corrupted where blood of innocent are sheds in the name of rituals. Those who claim to be practitioners, engage in harmful and inhumane acts, including rituals that go completely against the moral foundation the tradition stood for. I wonder what’s going on in today’s Ògbóni cult, the Ọrọ cult, the Awo funfun cult, the Ilédì cult and the herbalist world of leaves and secrets. Is there a true traditionalist in this era?
So , where did we get it wrong?
Perhaps, the real issue is not religion itself, but the mind set of the worshippers that’s behind it, the wickedness, the hate among same faith, the pairs of different sects and more.
Religion, in its pure form, teaches discipline, love, honesty, and accountability. But when individuals begin to use it as a tool for power, wealth, fear and manipulation, it loses its purpose.
Another painful truth is that many people no longer seek understanding. Instead of learning deeply about their faith, they rely on what they are told. This creates a cycle where misinformation spreads easily, and people follow blindly without questioning.
We also live in a time where social media has amplified everything. Anyone can become a “spiritual authority” overnight, regardless of knowledge or character. This has made it even harder to distinguish between what is real and what is fake.
At this point, we need to pause and reflect. Maybe what we truly need is not a new religion, but a return to sincerity. A return to understanding that faith is personal, not performative. A return to values like honesty, patience, compassion, and self-discipline. Because at the end of the day, whether it is Christianity, Islam, or traditional religion, the foundation should be the same truth, integrity, and humanity.
If those listed above are missing, then no matter the religion we found ourselves doing, the end result won’t justify the means.
Salam SAHEED writes from Ibadan, Oyo state.
