Faith or Folly? Charcoal Church Ritual Sparks Reactions in Nigeria
When does faith become folly? That’s the question many Nigerians are asking after a viral Instagram video surfaced showing a prophetess instructing her congregation to smear charcoal on their faces during a prayer session. The act, symbolic of “repentance and spiritual cleansing,” has instead ignited a heated debate over blind devotion and the rising culture of faith or folly in Nigeria’s religious circles.
Across the country, faith remains deeply woven into daily life. Yet, according to Pew Research, 84% of Nigerians identify as Christians, and a growing number are falling for bizarre religious practices that border on superstition. The charcoal scene, shared widely online, looked more ritualistic than spiritual — leaving many wondering whether modern Christianity in Africa is losing its essence.
When Faith Becomes Folly
The line between genuine spirituality and manipulation often blurs when believers substitute wisdom for emotion. As the Bible warns in Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” From eating grass to drinking fuel or spraying insecticide as “holy water,” strange church practices have become alarmingly common.
This latest episode — the charcoal prayer — isn’t an isolated one. In recent years, social media has documented preachers urging followers to crawl on church floors, bathe in rivers, or even hand over their life savings to secure “divine breakthroughs.” These spectacles have turned sanctuaries into stages of confusion, fuelling the debate about faith or folly.
Why Do People Follow Folly instead of faith?
Many followers, desperate for healing, jobs, or financial deliverance, cling to any instruction from a supposed “man or woman of God.” This desperation, experts argue, creates a perfect breeding ground for exploitation. Matthew 24:24 reminds us that “false prophets will arise and deceive many.”
Faith, when distorted by manipulation, becomes a tool for control rather than transformation. It is this same misdirection that allows sensational teachings to thrive. Discussions like Ebuka Obi-Uchendu’s MENtality Podcast have touched on how cultural beliefs and blind loyalty often override logic in religious settings. Similar reflections can be found across entertainment and lifestyle stories, where societal behaviours mirror deep-rooted spiritual misconceptions.
Faith, Wisdom, and the End Times
In Matthew 24:11–12, the Bible foretells: “Many false prophets will rise and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” The modern church appears to be living this prophecy. With social media amplifying fake miracles and religious theatrics, many believers mistake sensationalism for spirituality.
True faith uplifts; false faith humiliates. It’s time Christians discern between inspiration and indoctrination — between divine guidance and deception.
Faith should be guided by wisdom, not fear. As 1 John 4:1 counsels, “Test every spirit to see whether they are from God.” The truth remains: faith or folly — the choice rests with us.
Stay aware and informed — read more on Fake Flavour Impersonator Busted and other thought-provoking stories on Top Society Nigeria.