SOCIETY OF PRETENCE - Emphasis on Objects not Actions
A SOCIETY OF PRETENCE - Emphasis on Objects not Actions
Earlier this week, I read an article, "Behind the Veil", by Manasseh Azure, a renowned journalist I have come to admire so much. I do not know the motivation for the write up but it got me thinking deeply that I had to share it on my Facebook page.
Later, I saw a Rejoinder to Manasseh's post by one Seidu Fiter who claims to be a Muslim and seemed to know extensively about the subject (Veil) Manasseh had dissected in his piece.
In Manasseh's fiction of a story, he described a Muslim lady in veil who engaged in a sexual affair with a married Senior Presbyter. He mentioned the emphasis society has placed on religious acts rather than on purity.
To Seidu, Manasseh's work was only an attempt to defame Islam. He accused Manasseh of being ignorant of the Hijab (Use of the Veil), hence his attempting to make its use unpopular among Muslim girls.
I wouldn't want to delve into the personalities of these individuals who hold opposing beliefs. However, I would like to focus on the Subject Matter they both addressed.
(You could search their names on Facebook to read more on the subject)
I'm not a Muslim and I would not pretend to know so much about the Hijab as that would 'expose my ignorance' (in Seidu's sense). But, at the first glance at a Muslim lady in veil, you would know that the Veil is no mere cloth. It's an identity of her faith. Without asking, you can tell this lady is one who upholds the Islamic teachings. The same goes for the popular doctrines among different groups of Churches in the Christendom-the covering of the hair, restrictions on certain foods, the wearing or otherwise of earrings and other accessories, the prohibition of female leaders, etc. clearly define the different types of 'Christians' we have. Each group has a standard it expects of its members.
Unfortunately, society has not been able to bring out these standards explicitly. As a people, we have given much attention to the do's and don'ts rather than to their essence. We have not embraced the principles of the faith we profess and have rather become obsessed with religious acts. Our standards have been lowered to mere display of practices and not imbibing them in character. Emphasis has been placed on people who outwardly appear more religious - those that wear the veil, wears not the trousers, takes off the earrings, eats not the forbidden foods- and not those who genuinely upholds morality. You are rebellious if you fail to be in the hypocrisy pageantry. But, here's where I am curious, what is the essence of merely submitting to religious acts when one can't even appreciate the Principles on which they are built?
For acceptance sakes, our generation now dance to the tune of society's music. They hide behind religious acts and engage in grave offences. They are not scared of the consequences as they know how to bend laws in their favour. Who cares about rights now when the standards have been corrupted. What is wrong now is only determined by who does it and who is judging it. We have become a people that define sin by its 'size' such that we have categorised sin into small, medium, large, and extra large, even to the extent that the degree of a person's sin may be quantified by the influence of their personality, social standing or financial worth. So, the Minister of State that steals from the nation's coffers is considered a less sinner because he's an Elder in Church and pays fat tithes, meanwhile the young lady who sleeps with married men is the Devil, isn't it?
The elders, religious leaders, opinion leaders, chiefs etc who are to encourage morality have got themselves mudded so much with vices. He may be a part of the committee that rebukes young people who fornicate in the Church yet there is not a single lady in the Choir whose brassier he's not unlocked and whose panties he has not removed. She is the Human Rights Activist who has been celebrated over the years for her voice against abortion and yet she is unwilling to keep the baby she got from the Awards organizer.
Yes, we preach virtue but have no regard for it! We justify the acts when we are the culprits but we want others crucified for the same acts. We are quick to point out others' wrongs but fail to work on our own flaws. Okay, now, how about don't be in haste to remove the speck from a neighbour's eye when you have a log in yours?
If our society will be more focused on upholding rights and instilling discipline, that young Muslim lady would respect the Hijab and not engage in immorality with the veil on; that Christian bride would respect the Altar and not respond 'I do' when she has a 3-month old pregnancy under her veil; that Pastor would revere the Bible at his bedside and not scream from the ecstasy of his sexual escapades with church members; that chief would be a peace maker and not sell the same plot of land to two persons; that judge would respect the Supremacy of the law and not thwart justice for political favours; and that statesman would honour his oath and not enrich himself from the state's coffers. If our society would call Sin by its true name and mete out punishments accordingly, without fear or favour, hypocrisy would be extinct.
The system has been corrupted. What is right now is determined by the majority. Once everyone is doing it, it's normal.
Normality has taken over morality and the need for acceptance has taken over godliness. We are all fallible - yes, we all make mistakes - but that doesn't mean we should compromise our standards. If white is called white, and black is called black without calling them 'shades of grey', we would be walking towards a more perfect society that upholds truths and not religious acts. If our practices focused more on essence rather than mere obedience, the pretence would be cut short and people would be true to themselves. You wouldn't have to hide behind your religious acts to condemn others. You don't call a kettle black when you are a pot. Before you point an accusing finger, make sure the remaining four are clean.
Yes, we are all not perfect but I would prefer a rebuke from a Sinner than from a Hypocrite.
In a society, that's uncouth, we win by the truth.
Hypocrisy is dreadful! You are either for truth or against it so don't paint a picture of right living when you have no idea how it feels to be Right.
Let's Save the Society 💪🏽
Don't compromise on your standards 🙏🏽
Live a Life not a Lie!🙌🏽
Oheneba Kwadwo Aduse Poku Nimako Jnr
0545029466
Kwadwoaduse@gmail.com
Earlier this week, I read an article, "Behind the Veil", by Manasseh Azure, a renowned journalist I have come to admire so much. I do not know the motivation for the write up but it got me thinking deeply that I had to share it on my Facebook page.
Later, I saw a Rejoinder to Manasseh's post by one Seidu Fiter who claims to be a Muslim and seemed to know extensively about the subject (Veil) Manasseh had dissected in his piece.
In Manasseh's fiction of a story, he described a Muslim lady in veil who engaged in a sexual affair with a married Senior Presbyter. He mentioned the emphasis society has placed on religious acts rather than on purity.
To Seidu, Manasseh's work was only an attempt to defame Islam. He accused Manasseh of being ignorant of the Hijab (Use of the Veil), hence his attempting to make its use unpopular among Muslim girls.
I wouldn't want to delve into the personalities of these individuals who hold opposing beliefs. However, I would like to focus on the Subject Matter they both addressed.
(You could search their names on Facebook to read more on the subject)
I'm not a Muslim and I would not pretend to know so much about the Hijab as that would 'expose my ignorance' (in Seidu's sense). But, at the first glance at a Muslim lady in veil, you would know that the Veil is no mere cloth. It's an identity of her faith. Without asking, you can tell this lady is one who upholds the Islamic teachings. The same goes for the popular doctrines among different groups of Churches in the Christendom-the covering of the hair, restrictions on certain foods, the wearing or otherwise of earrings and other accessories, the prohibition of female leaders, etc. clearly define the different types of 'Christians' we have. Each group has a standard it expects of its members.
Unfortunately, society has not been able to bring out these standards explicitly. As a people, we have given much attention to the do's and don'ts rather than to their essence. We have not embraced the principles of the faith we profess and have rather become obsessed with religious acts. Our standards have been lowered to mere display of practices and not imbibing them in character. Emphasis has been placed on people who outwardly appear more religious - those that wear the veil, wears not the trousers, takes off the earrings, eats not the forbidden foods- and not those who genuinely upholds morality. You are rebellious if you fail to be in the hypocrisy pageantry. But, here's where I am curious, what is the essence of merely submitting to religious acts when one can't even appreciate the Principles on which they are built?
For acceptance sakes, our generation now dance to the tune of society's music. They hide behind religious acts and engage in grave offences. They are not scared of the consequences as they know how to bend laws in their favour. Who cares about rights now when the standards have been corrupted. What is wrong now is only determined by who does it and who is judging it. We have become a people that define sin by its 'size' such that we have categorised sin into small, medium, large, and extra large, even to the extent that the degree of a person's sin may be quantified by the influence of their personality, social standing or financial worth. So, the Minister of State that steals from the nation's coffers is considered a less sinner because he's an Elder in Church and pays fat tithes, meanwhile the young lady who sleeps with married men is the Devil, isn't it?
The elders, religious leaders, opinion leaders, chiefs etc who are to encourage morality have got themselves mudded so much with vices. He may be a part of the committee that rebukes young people who fornicate in the Church yet there is not a single lady in the Choir whose brassier he's not unlocked and whose panties he has not removed. She is the Human Rights Activist who has been celebrated over the years for her voice against abortion and yet she is unwilling to keep the baby she got from the Awards organizer.
Yes, we preach virtue but have no regard for it! We justify the acts when we are the culprits but we want others crucified for the same acts. We are quick to point out others' wrongs but fail to work on our own flaws. Okay, now, how about don't be in haste to remove the speck from a neighbour's eye when you have a log in yours?
If our society will be more focused on upholding rights and instilling discipline, that young Muslim lady would respect the Hijab and not engage in immorality with the veil on; that Christian bride would respect the Altar and not respond 'I do' when she has a 3-month old pregnancy under her veil; that Pastor would revere the Bible at his bedside and not scream from the ecstasy of his sexual escapades with church members; that chief would be a peace maker and not sell the same plot of land to two persons; that judge would respect the Supremacy of the law and not thwart justice for political favours; and that statesman would honour his oath and not enrich himself from the state's coffers. If our society would call Sin by its true name and mete out punishments accordingly, without fear or favour, hypocrisy would be extinct.
The system has been corrupted. What is right now is determined by the majority. Once everyone is doing it, it's normal.
Normality has taken over morality and the need for acceptance has taken over godliness. We are all fallible - yes, we all make mistakes - but that doesn't mean we should compromise our standards. If white is called white, and black is called black without calling them 'shades of grey', we would be walking towards a more perfect society that upholds truths and not religious acts. If our practices focused more on essence rather than mere obedience, the pretence would be cut short and people would be true to themselves. You wouldn't have to hide behind your religious acts to condemn others. You don't call a kettle black when you are a pot. Before you point an accusing finger, make sure the remaining four are clean.
Yes, we are all not perfect but I would prefer a rebuke from a Sinner than from a Hypocrite.
In a society, that's uncouth, we win by the truth.
Hypocrisy is dreadful! You are either for truth or against it so don't paint a picture of right living when you have no idea how it feels to be Right.
Let's Save the Society 💪🏽
Don't compromise on your standards 🙏🏽
Live a Life not a Lie!🙌🏽
Oheneba Kwadwo Aduse Poku Nimako Jnr
0545029466
Kwadwoaduse@gmail.com
Live a life, not a Lie!
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