In a continent teeming with resources, why does the ostentatious wealth of a few coexist with the poverty of millions? Pastor Chris Oyakhilome would tell you that poverty afflicts those who have no faith. Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, from the Enlightened Christian Gathering [“Assemblée chrétienne éclairée”]would remind you that poverty is a demonic force that can only be overcome through spiritual warfare.
These self-proclaimed men of God refuse to see that poverty is inseparable from the economic and political systems that produce it. Instead, like many of the early African missionaries who brought the Bible to Africa, they skillfully put religion at the service of an oppressive power.
Blessed are the rich and prosperous
Their followers are getting used to the inequalities maintained by capitalism, while these multi-millionaire preachers pursue only one goal: their personal enrichment. Their tool is theology [ou évangile] prosperity, a sectarian Protestant belief that views the salvation of mankind as a contractual agreement with God. Faith and devotion to Christ lead not only to the remission of sins, but also to exceptional health and extraordinary wealth. Through a diligent practice of prayer, positive confessions and generous donations to the church, we reach the promise of prosperity made long ago by God.
Seen from the outside, prosperity theology may pass for an irrational but all in all harmless dogma. It would be a naive mistake. Our ability to remedy social evils such as poverty or inequality depends in part on how we define these problems. Once we understand the root causes of poverty, we come closer to effective solutions. By relegating poverty to the realm of the supernatural, prosperity theology preachers obscure the very real conditions that cause poverty in their flocks, and in doing so they buy themselves a good political conscience.
Prosperity theology owes its success to harnessing the desperation caused by economic dysfunction and social instability. In South Africa, where pastors like Christ Oyakhilome draw large crowds to stadiums, 44% of working-age people are unemployed, more than half of citizens experience poverty, and the society is the most unequal in the world. . Despair, anger and feelings of helplessness are widespread among the population. Without access to their rights, citizens do not engage in political action, which could improve their lot.
All of this contributes to making many South Africans easy prey for prosperity theologians. Passing themselves off as authentic prophets in a continent where religious sentiment is very strong, such pastors end up being venerated, which then allows them to exploit their followers.
A social and political opium
Pastor Tim Oluseun Omotoso of Jesus Dominion International is currently languishing in a South African prison, convicted on 63 counts (rape, human trafficking and racketeering). Prophet Bushiri, whose fortune is estimated at 100 million dollars [95 millions d’euros]is charged with theft, fraud and money laundering.
Prosperity theology promises power to those who feel helpless, plunged into the turmoil of a socio-economic crisis. But these are empty promises, masking the true nature of poverty and distracting societies from seeking meaningful solutions. Instead of questioning the ineffective or self-serving action of political leaders, those who preach the theology of prosperity reproach their followers for not having the faith, which alone would allow them to tear themselves away from poverty.
Instead of criticizing the monopolies that multinationals have over resources, the sermons of these preachers encourage the poor to improve their individual lot through donations, when the greatest victories against poverty have been won through collective political action and the questioning of economic structures.
Prosperity theology perpetuates the myth that fiercely willed individuals can lift themselves out of poverty – the patronizing, religious way of tricking the poor out of poverty.
At best, it amounts to deluding people with illusions, putting them to sleep with nonsense, while we all continue to be ruled by elites who put their profits and their power before the interests of the people.