RELIGIOUS FRAUD.

The topic on religion is not a common ground for discussion bearing in mind its sensitive nature. It's said the church is a well-run disciplinary system, but this fact is becoming more ironical by the day. Recent reports have disclosed claims of exploitation of congregants who are encouraged to take out loans and give huge sums to the church. In other instances criminal investigations are currently underway into allegations of fraud and other offences relating to individuals associated with the places of "worship". A good example being in SPAC Nation, who in their defense have said that their church, "is not responsible for what goes on inside individual leaders' or members' houses".

Currently in Kenya there is an approximate of 5000 registered churches. But thousands more are yet to be granted formal record, as it is becoming a self-styled form of generating income. In the United States of America, one of the worst turn of events happened in The Waco, Texas massacre of 1993, where David Koresh of The Branch Davidian church, blinded his female congregants into marrying him, terming it as God's wish. Underage  teenagers also made it to his list of wives. Further investigation by an undercover reporter from a Texas based newspaper, following a tip from a resident revealed he had set up amoury and thousands of rounds of ammunition stored in the church. On the 19th of April, after a 51 day stand still between Koresh's church members and the US officials, 82 people lost their lives as they set themselves ablaze inside the church, as David Koresh had brain washed them to. 

This incident clearly paints a picture to what a single religious fraudster can lead to. Leading us to the question of how do you spot a scam artist? To start with, cons are often incredibly smooth operators, gracious, friendly and so easy to get along with. Usually the have too good to be true offers, which is a serious red flag. It could be an offer for a donation or some type of business deal that could benefit the church. They are skilled in human psychology, understand what motivates people and also charismatic making people gravitate towards them. All this majors out to this scamers swindling their unsuspecting crowds.

In Rwanda,  the president H.E Paul Kagame recently hit the headlines after he ordered closure of over 6000 places of worship. “I have closed over 6000 churches and mosques in my country and I am now demanding for a theology degree for every religious leader. Stop playing with people's faith and making it a business. Rwanda is already a blessed country, ”Rwandan President Paul Kagame said. It's a great call for action, especially with the undocumented increase of self appointed messiahs all over the region. 

With the government of the day posing as very religious driven, there is a risk of this becoming a fertile ground for con artists to flourish. The mere factor that something has been said on grounds of the church, does not make it the gospel truth. Many souls are getting lost in religion and this could be the next pandemic. Action needs to be taken before we get to a point of no return as a nation.