In a small town on the edge of the Ethiope River in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, a farmer once sold his only piece of land after hearing a sermon promising divine rewards for “sowing seeds of faith.” With tears in his eyes and a prayer on his lips, he handed over the proceeds to his religious leader, trusting that his sacrifice would yield blessings untold. The message from the young handsome preacher who exuded so much mastery of the holy book made his claims of transformative powers just too strong to resist by these impoverished folks. In droves they fell for the message with the undoubtable posturing of the messenger. Years later, the land was gone, his family faced dire poverty, and the promised breakthrough never came. His faith, once a source of hope, had been turned into a cruel transaction.
Stories like this echo across Africa and beyond, revealing a troubling reality: religion, once revered as the bedrock of moral and spiritual guidance, is increasingly commoditized. From miracle-selling to prosperity preaching, the sacred is being reshaped into something saleable, leaving many entrapped in cycles of exploitation. This transformation is not just an issue of faith—it’s a societal crisis, one that demands empathy, understanding, and bold action.
The Subtle Erosion of Faith
The shift from the sacred to the saleable did not happen overnight. Over the decades, economic hardships, rising inequality, and widespread disillusionment with traditional systems of governance have created fertile ground for exploitation. In this landscape any alternative outside the failing system was considered being given a try. Opportunists had massively cashed in on the collective vulnerability to trade all manners of remedies from the mundane to the absurd. Some mostly failed individuals had hurriedly taken to the occasion and with just a crash program in some questionable Bible schools, they come out as Pastors and ordained by equally questionable characters as men and women of god. These religious leaders have stepped in, not as shepherds of souls but as savvy entrepreneurs, turning faith into a business model.
In bustling cities and quiet villages alike, religious institutions have grown into sprawling enterprises. Lavish buildings with gold-tinted domes rise beside impoverished neighborhoods, their grandeur funded by relentless calls for donations. Congregants are told their offerings will unlock miracles or secure divine favor, creating a transactional relationship with the divine.
The prosperity gospel, which equates material wealth with divine blessing, is perhaps the most glaring manifestation of this trend. Its promise is seductive: in exchange for financial contributions, followers are assured of breakthroughs, healings, and success. But for many, these promises remain unfulfilled, leaving them disillusioned and destitute.
Miracles on Sale: A Price Tag on Hope
In open-air markets, it’s not unusual to find stalls selling “anointed” items: oils, handkerchiefs, or even bottled water, each touted as carrying supernatural power. Advertising for “miracle crusades” promises instant solutions to life’s problems—for a fee. The desperation of the vulnerable becomes a currency, traded for promises that often fail to materialize.
Take, for instance, a woman struggling with infertility with no results from the best of orthodox facilities. Accordingly friends and families wrecked her already missery-ladden life with unsolicited consultations and advice on alternatives. Stories of amazing miracles are always hard to resist when we do boxed in.After exhausting her savings on expensive “deliverance sessions,” she remained childless, her faith shattered and her dignity bruised. Her story is not an anomaly; it’s a pattern repeated in countless lives, where the sacred is used as bait to exploit the needy.
The Unquestionable Power of religious Leaders
What makes this exploitation particularly insidious is the near-absolute power wielded by some religious leaders. For many followers, these figures are beyond reproach, seen as the direct voice of the divine. Questioning them feels like questioning God. This reverence creates an environment where manipulation thrives unchecked, leaving congregants defenseless against financial and emotional abuse.
For some privileged, discerning onlookers, the fallacies are unmistakable as the claims generally defy logical reasoning. Yet, this unquestioning loyalty often stems from a place of genuine faith, not ignorance. Many people seek hope in religion during times of profound difficulty—be it economic hardship, illness, or personal loss. They trust their leaders, believing their teachings to be rooted in divine truth. Compounding the plight of these exposed and troubled citizens, are the tons of testimonies bandied about by even family members about the efficacy of the religious alternatives. Even the various expositions of some miracles being arranged are not strong enough to discourage a troubled mind needing help from also trying out this last hope.
The Role of Critical Thinking in Reclaiming Faith
Amid this exploitation, one powerful tool can help break the cycle: critical thinking. This isn’t about cynicism or disbelief—it’s about empowering followers to ask questions, seek understanding, and engage with their faith on a deeper level.
In a small East African community, a youth group began hosting open discussions on spiritual teachings. They dissected sermons, examined sacred texts, and shared personal experiences, creating a space where faith could be explored, not blindly followed. Through these dialogues, they developed the confidence to ask their leaders about financial transparency and challenged practices that seemed exploitative.
Critical thinking encourages believers to engage with their faith thoughtfully. Why is a particular teaching being emphasized? How are donations being used? Does this practice align with the core values of the faith? By fostering these questions, communities can hold religious institutions accountable and safeguard the sacred from commercialization.
The Responsibility of Governments and Society
While the shift toward critical thinking is essential, it must be complemented by broader societal efforts to address exploitation. Governments and civil society have a role to play in ensuring accountability without infringing on religious freedom.
In a particular southern African countries, measures are being taken to regulate religious institutions. Financial audits are becoming mandatory, and exploitative practices like miracle-selling are being scrutinized. In one nation, a regulatory body works with faith communities to promote ethical practices while preserving the integrity of worship.
Educational campaigns can also make a difference. By teaching financial literacy and ethical decision-making in schools and communities, governments can equip citizens to recognize and resist manipulation. Whistleblowers, often silenced by fear of retaliation, must be protected and supported, creating a culture where abuses can be safely exposed.
Steps Toward Transformation
At this point, it’s noteworthy that reclaiming the sacred is not an overnight process. Attempts at the much needed transformations in the past have been met with strong resistance by these opportunistic religious leaders who have enough in their arsenal to whip up all manners of sentiments including claims of muscling the faith to remain at their tricks. The time has come for the society to know that the intervention has become very urgent. We present ideas on how communities, leaders, individuals and in particular organized authorities can begin the push:
1. Prioritize Transparency: Religious institutions must openly share how funds are used, fostering trust and accountability.
2. Refocus on Service: Instead of building empires, leaders should invest in projects that directly benefit their communities, such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
3. Educate for Empowerment: Teach congregants to understand and question their faith, promoting a deeper, more informed spirituality.
4. Create Oversight Structures: Independent commissions can provide checks and balances, ensuring that religious practices remain ethical and community-focused.
A Call to Rediscover the Sacred
Faith should never be for sale. It is a gift, a guiding light, and a source of hope in life’s darkest moments. Yet, when faith is reduced to a commodity, it loses its soul, leaving behind only the hollow shell of what it once was.
The journey to reclaim the sacred is one of courage, humility, and collective action. It requires leaders to serve with integrity, followers to engage with thoughtfulness, and society to demand accountability. Together, we can restore faith to its rightful place—not as a transaction, but as a transformative force that uplifts, heals, and unites.
Let us begin that journey today. For the sake of the countless vulnerable members of the society whose stories are waiting to be rewritten.
Charles Ugwu, a HR consultant, writes from Lagos
