Report: TB Joshua: Megachurch Leader Raped And Tortured Worshippers

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[Claire Princess Ayelotan]

He was not the only one; unfortunately, this is the beginning of unprecedented revelations for many.

 

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[Toyin Falola]

Dear Ma:

The definition of “evil” as uniquely sexual deserves a query. Is collecting money from poor people not even far worse than sexual abuse?

Apologies to all the feminists for my crude comparison.

Is Christianity a miracle-bound religion? The promise of miracles they all do—in various styles and mean—are evil, far worse than hedonism.

Apologies to hedonists!

TF

 

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[Victor Okafor]

Please, don't jump to conclusions. Coming as it did from an imperial, neocolonial mouthpiece, known as BBC, this calculated character assassination package has to be viewed with discernment and a grain of salt. What is the sense of propriety, sense of balance, and sense of fairness of a media organ that would unleash a barrage of character assassination against a public figure who is no longer here in this earthly realm to respond to the allegations? Yes, at face value, they are malicious allegations. Would the BBC target a past leader of Westminster Cathedral as it has done here with the past leader of SCOAN?

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Sincerely,

Victor O. Okafor, Ph.D.

Professor and Head

Department of Africology and African American Studies

Eastern Michigan University

Email: vok...@emich.edu

https://www.emich.edu/aaas/faculty/v-okafor.php

https://www.facebook.com/DAAASEMU/

Tel: 734.487.9594 

Food for Thought: 

"The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress." -- Frederick Douglass

[Oyeniyi Bukola Adeyemi]

Dr. Okafor,

Thank you for your call for caution. Permit me to take a rather critical view of your statement, "Please, don't jump to conclusions," which reveals an inherent contradiction. On one hand, you caution against rash judgments, yet on the other, you swiftly label the BBC as an "imperial, neocolonial mouthpiece." This dichotomy presents a significant analytical challenge.

Your warning against premature conclusions is a call for critical thinking and skepticism toward the media reports on SCOAN and TB Joshua. It suggests that readers should approach the information with a discerning mindset, recognizing the potential biases and motivations behind the media coverage of Joshua and his church. This stance encourages a more nuanced understanding of the media as an entity that can both inform and misinform.

However, your immediate categorization of the BBC as an "imperial agent" seems to contradict this call for thoughtful analysis. By summarily dismissing the BBC's report as a product of neocolonial bias, you appear to be making a snap judgment. This characterization of the BBC overlooks the complexity of the organization and its history, reducing it to a monolithic entity with a singular, imperialistic agenda. Such a reductionist view may oversimplify the multifaceted nature of any large media organization, which consists of diverse individuals with varying perspectives and objectives.

In defense of your approach, one could argue that your characterization of the BBC is not a rash judgment but a conclusion drawn from a historical and cultural analysis of the media landscape. From this perspective, you might be seen as highlighting the historical context in which media organizations like the BBC have operated, pointing to a legacy of imperialism that could influence their reporting. This viewpoint suggests that understanding the historical and cultural background of a media outlet is crucial to critically assessing its content. Notwithstanding this, the topic of Joshua and his church is not new at all. Hundreds of people have spoken about them over the last ten years. The 3-part BBC documentary revealed nothing new. So, I think whatever your predilections about the BBC are, there is no connection between these predilections and the 3-part documentary.

Nonetheless, I agree with you that it remains important to balance such historical perspectives with a recognition of the evolving nature of media organizations and the diversity of voices within them. While historical context is indispensable in media analysis, it should not lead to blanket judgments that overlook the complexities and changes within an organization. So, the ownership of the BBC and the fact that you judged it summarily, as the above showed, is not a genuine reason to doubt the veracity of its claims in the 3-part documentary. I think that if you find anything untrue or doubtful in the documentary, you owe the public the right to inform them. As things are, it appears as if your warning is about the messenger and not the message.

In conclusion, while you rightly encourage discernment in consuming media content, your immediate labeling of the BBC as an imperial agent is contradictory to your message. A more nuanced approach would involve acknowledging the historical influences on media organizations while also recognizing the veracity or otherwise of the content in question.

OBA

***************************************************************************************************

Bukola A. Oyeniyi

*****************************************************************************************************

Missouri State University

College of Humanities and Public Affairs

History Department

Room 440, Strong Hall,

901 S. National Avenue

Springfield, MO  65897

Email: oyen...@gmail.com

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[Toyin Falola]

Is there anything in that BBC report that is new?

 

From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Oyeniyi Bukola Adeyemi <oyen...@gmail.com>

Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 6:49 AM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>

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[Oluwatoyin Adepoju]

Oyeniyi,

Great thanks for that magnificent piece of scholarly writing.

Toyin

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[Claire Princess Ayelotan]

Baba TF, 

Thank you for your thoughtful message. The issue you raise regarding the complexity of "evil" is indeed pertinent. It's true that exploitation, in its many forms, whether financial or sexual, can be profoundly damaging and deserves equal condemnation. The act of exploiting the economically disadvantaged is a significant moral failing, and its comparison to sexual abuse highlights the multifaceted nature of unethical behaviour.

Regarding your mention of feminism, it's crucial to approach these discussions with sensitivity and an understanding of the diverse impacts of different forms of abuse. Your acknowledgement and apology are appreciated.

As for the role of miracles in Christianity, this is indeed a subject of broad and varied interpretations. The promise of miracles, as practised in various ways by religious leaders, can be a double-edged sword. It can offer hope and faith to many, yet when misused, it can lead to manipulation and exploitation, a concern that warrants serious reflection.

Regarding the accusations against TB Joshua it's a sobering reminder of how power dynamics can obscure the truth and prevent victims from coming forward. The delayed revelations, emerging posthumously, underscore the challenges victims face in confronting influential figures. This has nothing to do with the BBC’s whiteness or foreign media. It's not a matter of the media's credibility but rather the systemic barriers that often silence voices until it's seemingly too late. Please wait until others are revealed to understand the scale of the abuse fully. It's simply a question of time. 

Such cases compel us to continually seek justice and truth, irrespective of the stature of those involved, and to strive for a society where all can speak without fear of retribution or disbelief.

Sincerely,

Claire Princess Ayelotan, PhD 

Theology & Religious Studies 

Tel:+44 7340 479789

[Victor Okafor]

Dear Toyin:

With all due respect, you are an esteemed scholar of African History, but I'm not aware that your formal learning embraces the realm of religious miracles. So, by what authority did you feel qualified to pronounce practical Christianity's manifestation of miracles in the current era as "evil?" I suggest that you visit SCOAN and/or any such genuine entity and see for yourself and with your own naked eyes what goes on there in the realm of miracles. Please, go and see for yourself. 

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[Claire Princess Ayelotan]

Dr  Okafor,

I appreciate your input, but it's crucial to understand that being cautious while evaluating reports does not mean rejecting them entirely. It's essential to acknowledge that the accusations reported by the BBC are severe and must be considered in the broader context.

It is an indisputable fact that the late pastor TB Joshua had previously faced similar accusations that were widely disregarded or overlooked, potentially due to his influential status. This recurring scenario is not an isolated incident but rather a distressing pattern among certain religious leaders who leverage their positions to exploit the vulnerable. The hushed and muted discussions surrounding such issues are frequently a result of the power dynamics in play, which suppress the truth from being revealed.

The current revelations, therefore, should not be seen as sudden or baseless but as part of a longstanding issue that is finally being brought to light. The delay in these revelations speaks to the challenges victims face in coming forward, especially against influential figures. This is a common struggle, not just in Nigeria but globally, where victims of abuse often battle systemic barriers and societal disbelief.

Every woman understands that the patriarchal nature of Nigerian society is particularly pertinent. It highlights the broader context in which these allegations arise – a context where women's rights and experiences of abuse are often minimised or dismissed. The “and so what?” attitude that many women encounter when reporting abuse is a stark reminder of the societal change that is desperately needed.

In this light, the allegations against him (and others to come) must be understood as part of a more significant societal problem. It's not about taking sides because of gender but about acknowledging a reality where sexual harassment and abuse are pervasive and often overlooked. These are not just individual stories; they indicate a systemic issue that needs addressing.

We must keep a discerning eye on media coverage while at the same time being receptive to and affirming the experiences of those who assert to have been wronged. Striking this balance might be challenging, but it is absolutely crucial if we are to achieve justice and bring about meaningful societal progress.

Claire Princess Ayelotan, PhD 

Theology & Religious Studies 

Tel:+44 7340 479789

On 9 Jan 2024, at 12:28, 'Victor Okafor' via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafric...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[Toyin Falola]

Are you all hearing these stories for the first time?

 

From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Claire Princess Ayelotan <clairea...@gmail.com>

Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 7:16 AM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>

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[Toyin Falola]

You are referring to miracles you can proof. Am I correct?

Suppose they are made up, as in many cases, is this not evil? A deliberate manufacture of the scripture to commit crime.

When next you see a blind person whose vision has been restored, let us all parade him as evidence, but what we know thus far is “I was told,” “I heard.”

Are there miracles? Yes, as science itself has confirmed, although they don’t use the word miracle.

 

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[Victor Okafor]

Thanks Dr. Oyeniyi for your fair criticism though it surprises me that you seem to be unaware that BBC is fundamentally an imperial, neocolonial mouthpiece with regards to the affairs of its former British colonies. That said, let me add that the human experience teaches us that human beings are capable of fabrications that at face value may seem like real stories until they are laid bare through a judicious scrutiny. Yes, oh yes, human beings do concoct events that never happened on this earth even with tears streaming from their eyes. In fact, you must become skeptical when you see a story teller begin to generate fake tears in order to evoke undeserved pity. This happens more times in the human experience than we can count. Time will tell, and everyone shall eventually answer to the Lord for whatever he or she did while sojourning here on earth.

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[Toyin Falola]

Oga Victor:

Are you a member of the Church?

 

From: 'Victor Okafor' via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>

Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 9:11 AM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>

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[Victor Okafor]

Like all phenomena in the human experience, there are instances of fake miracles, and there are probably more fake ones than real ones as the church is not immune to sin. All human beings and all human entities are sinful. On the other hand, genuine miracles are provable through medical exams and reports, and tend to be attested to, on site, by the recipients in broad daylight. Often, all parties in attendance would see evidence of the pre-miracle situation and evidence of the post-miracle situation of the recipient. 

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[Toyin Falola]

Thanks for the clarification.

If your my initial interventions, I said there are other issues more grave that the sexual allegations: collecting money from people who can barely survive; and fake miracles.

 

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[Victor Okafor]

I agree with you.

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[Harrow, Kenneth]

With all due respect, i disagree with victor’s claim that the bbc is an imperial, neocolonial mouthpiece. To the contrary, i find it is particularly critical of the u.k. Govt, it is a true watchdog. As for the former colonies, they are largely ignored, as is most of africa, in their reportage, and when they report i see nothing to indicate any “imperial” bias. Not to say they are not biased: their bias is essentially center-left on almost everything they report.

If i were to criticize the bbc’s webpage, it is that it is filled with scandalmongering. 

Ken

Kenneth Harrow

517 803 8839

Emeritus Professor of English, Michigan State University

Harrow@msu/edu

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From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Toyin Falola <toyin...@austin.utexas.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 10:35:30 AM

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[Victor Okafor]

Hello Prof, I must clarify that when I stated that "there are instances of fake miracles, and there are probably more fake ones than real ones" in my comment of January 9, 2024, I was not referring to a particular church. My reference to "the church" should be understood as a reference to places of religious worship in general across space and time. As for SCOAN in Lagos, let the records show that I consider it a true living church where provable and observable healings, as well as observable deliverances from demonic possessions, do happen, Sunday to Sunday. You are an internationally influential scholar, and I would really like you to pay a visit to SCOAN in Lagos during a Sunday worship session and bear witness to God's divine works.

[Harrow, Kenneth]

Thanks victor

Ken

Kenneth Harrow

517 803 8839

Emeritus Professor of English, Michigan State University

Harrow@msu/edu

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From: 'Victor Okafor' via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2024 5:14:29 PM
To: Toyin Falola <toyin...@austin.utexas.edu>; usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Fwd: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Report: TB Joshua: Megachurch Leader Raped And Tortured Worshippers

 

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