The government has been investigating and taking decisive action on the Shakahola massacre caused by a cult like religion. Cults possess unusual beliefs and tend to live in relative isolation from the outside world, coalescing around a charismatic cult leader. The leader makes certain orders and alters the beliefs, behaviour and customs of the members. Cults may be seen as de facto religion while some may be irreligious. The apostle Paul, who was highly educated through Professor Gamaliel, who traced his trainings to Anaximander, who traces his training to Aristotle, Plato and Socrates, the three consequential scholars of all times, wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3 warning him that in future, false prophets and teachers would emerge and carry away with them many believers.
The religious groups of all faiths have made tremendous changes and progress in shaping our development and hence their proposals for self-regulation to weed out rogue elements within their ranks. The need for self-regulation should be done alongside four major pranks that can end the culture of cults in Kenya. First, there is need to ensure that religious organizations communicate effectively with their members and also publicize their teachings to ensure that members and the wider public can make informed choices and decisions as to how to join and continue their membership in any religious grouping. The government and the religious groups should also endeavour to fight and limit misinformation and other negative propaganda that either pushes in or out members from and to a certain religious group.
Secondly, there is need to adequately engage the youth in many productive activities in and outside the church since, the median age in Kenya is 19.2 years. There is need for detailed seminars, round tables and candid discussions with the youths and other church members so that they get the real meaning and interpretation of the various religious proclamations. Hosea 4:6 notes that the people of God perish for lack of knowledge. The sufferings and massacres of Shakahola and many other places is because many Kenyans have not been exposed to adequate religious knowledge.
Thirdly, religious groups must encourage a life of supporting neighbours and others since James 1:27 notes that true religion concerns itself with care for orphans, widows and also keeping oneself from being polluted by the world. Fourthly, religious groups should be service oriented and hence focus on serving their neighbourhooods, localities and communities because Matthew 20;28 observes that Jesus did not come to be served but to serve Dr. Mutegi Giti, Urban management, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) & Environment Specialist. mutegigiti@gmail.com, @danielgiti.
Dr. Daniel Mutegi Giti 