A DOUBLE STANDARD WRAPPED IN FALSE PIETY

By Akin Ojumu

Whenever a whiff of scandal affecting a political/secular leader leaks into the media stratosphere, and a political leader faces accusation of committing heinous crimes – allegedly – such as, misappropriation of public funds, adulterous relationship, rape, incest, etc., a murderous mob thirsty for blood, wielding blood stained pitchforks, are quick to crawl out of their holes ready to cast the first stone.

This angry mob – which almost always includes both the vehemently irreligious and the fervently religious – like vultures sensing a dying prey, are quick to gather in their various news, gossip, and social media platforms ready to pounce on a wounded political leader. Frothing at the mouth, they rip to shreds, with flesh tearing bullets fired from their poisonous media posts, the life of the accused politician. In many cases, the family of the fallen political leader is not spared the wrath. They subject the politician to near annihilation in a carpet bombing of the shock and awe variety.

Yet, when a spiritual leader is accused of similar or worse crimes – allegedly – what you hear from the religiously fervent quarters of the murderous mob, are pathetic utterances such as,

“Touch not my anointed,”

“Who are you to condemn a man of God,”

“Jesus did not condemn the woman caught in adultery,”

“Only Christians kill their wounded soldiers.”

The religious faction of the perpetually angry mob seems to believe a different standard should be used when a spiritual leader is accused of an atrocity as against when a secular leader is accused of the same crimes. When a Pastor sins, their firearms of criticism used against secular leaders appears to suddenly run out of bullets and their quivers run out of fiery arrows.

The same folks who would lead a pack of wolves to the slaughter of a political leader accused of alleged crimes tell us that a Christian leader accused of rape and incest is untouchable and immune to criticism. When it comes to a Pastor accused of crimes, the usually vociferous, vicious and unforgiving critics of politicians, who would routinely spend hours on social media reeling out criticisms of secular leaders say to us, “It is not your place to criticize a man of God.”

Those who, without hesitation or the benefit of doubt, expound erudite arguments to justify their opinion that a political leader accused of abuse of power is unfit to lead, will tell you, “It is not your business if a Bishop rapes a powerless teenage girl.”

To these people, it is fair game to rant and rage on social media about the misdeeds of a secular leader, but it is an abominable sin to lift an eyelid in shock when a spiritual leader commits an egregious sin.

Which brings me to these questions:

1.    If a spiritual leader is God’s anointed chosen by God, does that mean a secular leader is God’s unanointed chosen by men?

2.   Does God see secular leadership differently than spiritual leadership?

3.   Should a spiritual leader be treated to a different standard than a secular leader when they both abuse their power?

4.   Does spiritual leadership confer a cloak of invisibility that shields from all forms of criticism?

5.    Is the criticism of a secular leader a civic duty, while the criticism of a man of God an unpardonable sin?

6.   What do we do with a spiritual leader who is a serial abuser of his power and position?

7.    Is Luke 12:47-48 still in the bible?

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:47-48