OPINION: RELIGION IS INDEED THE OPIUM OF THE PEOPLE – THE NEED FOR CAUTION IN THE FACE OF COVID-19 FOR THE SAFETY OF US ALL

By Zik Gbemre

The subject is coined from a concerned observer, whose analysis and recent observations is something the Nigerian Government at all levels, and including the masses, should take to heart, and make the necessary adjustments, if we are to survive the Coronavirus pandemic situation in the coming weeks and months.

Yes, agreed that Nigeria is often seen as a very religious nation, but I have also noted that being religious, is absolutely different from being faithful and practicing what The Author of our religious belief demands from us in the lives we live. For we cannot claim to be religious, yet the evil in the land, man’s wickedness against his fellow man, cruelty, corruption and all kinds of devilish attributes seen in the Nigerian society is increasing daily. That is hypocrisy of the highest order. And it is sad that our religion, which has become people’s opium, has so blinded majority of Nigerians to the point that we have thrown caution in the air, by disregarding safety measures put in place to prevent the possible spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Opioids, actually make people get high and behave irrationally until the dose of the opioid gets out of their system. Religiousity applies so much in Nigeria and is a major reason for our set back, even though many want to think otherwise.

According to the said concerned observer, “almost every Church in Benin was wide opened yesterday Sunday (3/05/2020), and infact, many flouted the Social Distance rule, as they congregated and held hands together. I begin to wonder are these people really Christians, or are they just religious, and are after their own gains. Are they really worshipping God in sincerity and in truth? Because if it were so, they will be more concerned about their wellbeing, and that of others in their immediate society.

“Some even used Daniel in the Bible as a reference, saying when he was banned from praying to God, he didn’t give up, but continued praying loudly till he was thrown into the Lions den. With the upsurge everyday, and increasing incidence of new cases of the Coronavirus, I didn’t expect this from both the religious circles and indeed the worshippers. Don’t get me wrong, I am also a Christian. But this is going over board by putting others at risk of this Infectious disease.”

Truth, one of the tenets and commands required of Christians, is to be our brother’s keeper. And to love others, as much as we love ourselves. That means, we should always think highly of others, than we do for ourselves, in all that we do. And I believe it is same practice with other religions like Islam. Sadly, we have allowed our religiosity as opium to becloud our sense of reasoning and caution. The above situation in Benin is also not peculiar to Christians. But we have also heard of a case of Imam who was arrested in Delta State for defiling the Stay-at-home order during the lockdown, by engaging in prayers in his mosque with a large number of worshippers.

We only see, and hear about such things since the Coronavirus outbreak, in the Nigerian society. We don’t hear of such things in other countries like Italy, Israel and Saudi Arabia, who were the same people that introduced our religious beliefs to us in the first places. I am not saying we should not worship and practice our religious beliefs, but it should be done with great caution and observance of social distancing and other precautionary measures put in place to safeguard others, and avoid the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. At least until this pandemic situation is over.

I also ask the Federal Government, as well as all the State Governments, to ensure the enforcement of the due guidelines for the Nigerian public. At least for now, which is for the safety of all Nigerians and foreigners living in the country.

Zik Gbemre.

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