“SOWING AT THE APOSTLE’S FEET”: NATURE AND EFFECTS OF RELIGIOUS EXTORTION AMONG CHURCH MINISTERS IN NIGERIA

The teachings of most religions of the world condemn corruption. It considers it as an offense against humanity and divinity. As Faleye (2013:175) asserted that, “Religion has brought peace and harmony to the world and that its leaders are motivated by the service of their God. However, religion had used fear, hate and sometimes lies to control and manipulate people for the advantage of a selected group of individuals. In Nigeria, greater number of the citizens are religious enthusiasts and each of their religions also condemn corruption and all practices pertaining to such. Regardless of this fact, it is spreading in Nigerian at an alarming rate; this reechoes CSAAE that “corruption is prevalent in almost all sectors in Nigeria and it is gradually becoming a norm in the society” (csaaeinc.org). But the most unfortunate thing is that this menace has ravaged the churches in Nigeria so much that their pastors seek not to feed the sheep with God’s Word, rather are interested in their material gain and prosperity, thus resorting to extorting from their church members. One of such religious corruption among pastors in Nigeria today is that which they have dubbed “Sowing at the Apostle’s Feet.” This essay begins by explaining what “sowing at the Apostle’s feet” means. It then describes the different manifestations of extortions among pastors in Nigeria. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this religious extortion on the Nigeria society.