In today’s world, particularly in Nigeria, a troubling pattern has emerged: the increasing mental laziness, especially among the youth, many of whom no longer read, question, or critically observe. This intellectual vacuum has been ruthlessly exploited by religious leaders, who ironically remain ardent readers themselves. While they devour books, polish their rhetoric, and study psychological manipulation, many of their followers operate on blind trust and emotional vulnerability. The result? A society spiritually hypnotised and intellectually asleep. Here are some of their notable strategies and actionable characteristics.
The Rise of Religious Illiteracy and Tools of Deception
These self-acclaimed men of God have mastered the art of illusion and diabolical sensationalism. With theatrics wrapped in half-truths and unverifiable prophecies, they prey on the weak, the barren, the jobless, the sick, those with family or hereditary issues, and the desperate seeking foreign visas. These pastors exhibit the same crafty traits as sorcerers, deploying metaphysical tactics under the guise of spirituality. Most tragically, the youth have become the most susceptible victims because they have outsourced their sense of judgment to religious figures.
People need to get wise. Life begins to make more sense when you start acquiring knowledge. Begin by reading books, following the news, and staying informed about both local and global events. Without this, many will continue to be misled by pseudo-spiritual soundbites and motivational deception. Many have fallen under the weight of doctrinal manipulation, ensnared like insects in a web by preachers who know how to crawl into the minds of their flock and plant lies like seeds.
Colonised Minds, Controlled Lives
These leaders are not spiritual guides; they are mental colonisers. They seduce, hypnotise, and rewire the minds of their followers. They have redefined loyalty to mean blind obedience. Today, many youths would rather quote their pastors than respect the wisdom of their parents. They have turned pulpits into thrones where power is wielded with no accountability, where congregants are milked to fund lavish lifestyles: bulletproof SUVs, private security details, and multi-million-naira mansions, all under the cloak of divine authority.
And yet, the followers remain blind. They cannot see the real oppressors of their destinies, but they would rather blame the government and their parents for their woe and misfortune. These preachers have imprisoned their thoughts, erased their doubts, and planted a deep dependence on false prophecies and teachings. When you hear people say, “My pastor said…,” what you are witnessing is a mind that’s been programmed to parrot, not to ponder.
They profess to represent God, but their actions mirror those of the occult and conqueror. They lie. They exploit. They manipulate scripture. They womanise. They rape. They launder church funds. They preach hate. They are involved in ritual killings. They engage in cultism and many other shameless acts. They turn pulpits into political podiums and their followers into blind battalions. Yet, when caught, they are shielded by the same followers who vilify politicians for similar crimes.
Pastoral Work: Lost in Greed and Glory
Genuine pastoral work is a noble calling, a life of humility, sacrifice, and spiritual service. A true pastor fears God, speaks truthfully, and shepherds his flock with compassion, not control. The church should be a haven for the broken, a sanctuary of hope, comfort, and honest guidance. But in Nigeria, the narrative has been flipped, doubted, and adulterated.
Rather than using church offerings to serve the needy, fund missionary outreach, and pay modest salaries, some pastors have turned the altar into a business empire. They exploit fear, feed delusions, and propagate doctrines of witchcraft and generational curses to keep members trapped in cycles of dependency and paranoia.
Today, churches nearly outnumber factories in our communities, with many bearing outlandish names that serve not the gospel of Jesus Christ but the greed of the general overseer. They make their followers believe witchcraft and family demons are after their lives. They engage in weekly and monthly diabolical crusades that are tailored to acquiring sudden wealth. It’s common to hear a pastor claim, “God told me to move to Lagos,” or “God instructed me to build my church in Abuja.” Yet, one never hears of divine calls to rural villages with bad roads, no electricity, and limited prospects for tithes and offerings. They always prefer cities where they believe they can sweet-talk and hypnotise many for enrichment overnight.
Where is the sacrifice in that?
It would be impactful if the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners Chapel, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, and other mega churches could consider redeploying about 70% of their urban pastors into underserved rural areas. Then we would know those truly called by God to serve Him. It would separate the shepherds from the charismatic showmen and the genuine ministers from the merchants of the Word. Perhaps then, the abuse of verses like “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm” would cease being used to shield misconduct and avoid accountability.
The Political Entanglement: Preachers and Power
Many religious leaders today operate in lockstep with corrupt politicians. They are silent partners in a spiritual-political theatre. They whisper prophecies into the ears of the powerful, dine with tyrants, and fleece their congregants in the name of sacrificial giving. They are not spiritual warriors but upgraded witch doctors wearing suits instead of robes, wielding microphones instead of cowries.
They will charge you to pray. They will demand offerings after counselling. They act like babalawos and alfas, charging even more than these people do.
It’s time for believers to wake up.
Do not let your pastor become your brain. Think. Question. Observe. Do not allow yourself to be used as a social media pawn, spreading half-baked conspiracies or fighting religious fights that enrich only your oppressors. These men know how to manipulate you to wage wars on their behalf while they settle their scores behind closed doors and continue breaking bread with politicians who mock your struggles.
The Way Forward: Read, Think, Reclaim Your Mind
Make it your life rule to read at least one or two books every month so that you can begin to understand the world beyond what others want you to believe. Follow the news. Watch informative and educational programmes. Stay current with events, not gossip or frivolous social media posts, nor sensationalist stories, but with credible, well-analysed information. Read widely, use Google and AI to seek the unknown, and cross-reference facts. Learn from the Bible and stop relying solely on your pastor’s sugar-coated messages. You can also seek knowledge by reading the Quran. There is truth in many sacred texts and wisdom in understanding how others think.
Don’t be fooled: many of your pastors read extensively—from the Qur’an to the Seven Books of Moses, the Bhagavad Gita to Ifá, the Book of Enoch to the Tanakh, and even dark esoteric texts. Some have secretly studied metaphysics, psychology, and ancient witchcraft. Many belong to secret societies, but they will not disclose this to you. Why? Because it gives them the spiritual upper hand, a psychological and mystical dominance over you.
You have one weapon: knowledge.
You owe it to yourself to rise above ignorance. Read. Think. Verify. And most importantly, never stop asking questions.
Let your mind be yours again.