The Church in Samoa
Excerpts from 'The Naked Journalist'
[Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of Cherelle Savaliolefilemu Jackson, and does not reflect the opinions of her family, friends or colleagues. One Denomination is the subject of these observations, knowledge and experience of the said denomination has lead the writer to conclude the beliefs below, that being said, I do acknowledge that their are righteous and honest Pastors in this Church, but that does not erase what the Church as a whole has done to its people.]
A Pastor drove by in a sweet four door Toyota Hilux, and as he passed byhis wife sitting proudly on the passenger seat, one could almost see sweat dripping off the car. Sweat of the congregation, sweat of the little man, the oldlady and the little children.
Samoa is paradise, for two weeks, and then you see the cracks in the otherwise perfect fibres of a self deceptive society.
Faifeaus in Samoa are not servants of God, they do not take care of their sheep, they do not feed, comfort or save their sheep, rather they lead them into bankruptcy, poverty, fear, and eternal damnation if they do not contribute more than they, their daughters, sons in Samoa, New Zealand and Australia's entire paychecks and more.
God in Samoa punishes those who drink alcohol, wear short skirts, talks loudly infront of the Pastors house. God punishes those who disagree with the Pastor, who say things about his wife, he punishes those who buy their family a decent meal instead of giving it to the alofa of the faifeau, God punishes those who do not come to both services on Sundays, God (faifeau) sees all
and knows all and will make sure the whole congregation is aware of who is not honouring the word of the Lord.
Young Children are taught to be afraid of the Lord and his mighty wrath, the emphasis is never placed on loving, embracing or worshipping the Almighty. Pastors preach the woes of sinning and guilt but do not praise the power of forgiveness and repentance.
A big and expensive Church is sign of peoples faith in God.
A refurbished Church is a sign of renewed faith in God.
A big and expensive house for the faifeau is a sign of peoples (village) support for Gods word.
A run down Church reflects poorly on the village and their faith in God.
A fat faifeau, his wife and his children spell a generous, giving and faithful village, never mind that the rest of the village barely eating each night.
It's ok to build a 6 million tala building for the Church Ministers to meet once a year while the students of this Church still pay their school fees from pre-school until high school. Its ok that millions are funnelled into the Church to educate its Ministers while not a single scholarship or tala is paid towards studies of a student member of the Church.
Fear of the Lord is the begining of Church contributions.
What are your thoughts on this, more to come......
[Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of Cherelle Savaliolefilemu Jackson, and does not reflect the opinions of her family, friends or colleagues. One Denomination is the subject of these observations, knowledge and experience of the said denomination has lead the writer to conclude the beliefs below, that being said, I do acknowledge that their are righteous and honest Pastors in this Church, but that does not erase what the Church as a whole has done to its people.]
A Pastor drove by in a sweet four door Toyota Hilux, and as he passed byhis wife sitting proudly on the passenger seat, one could almost see sweat dripping off the car. Sweat of the congregation, sweat of the little man, the oldlady and the little children.
Samoa is paradise, for two weeks, and then you see the cracks in the otherwise perfect fibres of a self deceptive society.
Faifeaus in Samoa are not servants of God, they do not take care of their sheep, they do not feed, comfort or save their sheep, rather they lead them into bankruptcy, poverty, fear, and eternal damnation if they do not contribute more than they, their daughters, sons in Samoa, New Zealand and Australia's entire paychecks and more.
God in Samoa punishes those who drink alcohol, wear short skirts, talks loudly infront of the Pastors house. God punishes those who disagree with the Pastor, who say things about his wife, he punishes those who buy their family a decent meal instead of giving it to the alofa of the faifeau, God punishes those who do not come to both services on Sundays, God (faifeau) sees all
and knows all and will make sure the whole congregation is aware of who is not honouring the word of the Lord.
Young Children are taught to be afraid of the Lord and his mighty wrath, the emphasis is never placed on loving, embracing or worshipping the Almighty. Pastors preach the woes of sinning and guilt but do not praise the power of forgiveness and repentance.
A big and expensive Church is sign of peoples faith in God.
A refurbished Church is a sign of renewed faith in God.
A big and expensive house for the faifeau is a sign of peoples (village) support for Gods word.
A run down Church reflects poorly on the village and their faith in God.
A fat faifeau, his wife and his children spell a generous, giving and faithful village, never mind that the rest of the village barely eating each night.
It's ok to build a 6 million tala building for the Church Ministers to meet once a year while the students of this Church still pay their school fees from pre-school until high school. Its ok that millions are funnelled into the Church to educate its Ministers while not a single scholarship or tala is paid towards studies of a student member of the Church.
Fear of the Lord is the begining of Church contributions.
What are your thoughts on this, more to come......