Abstract:
The focus of this article is on the current abuse of religion by some pastors of
some Pentecostal churches in South Africa. These pastors have been involved
in controversial, criminal and fake miracles practices that point to the abuse of
religion. While these acts might be acceptable among some, in some contexts,
the generic South African religious context perceive them as taboo. Thus, the
main problem on this score is that many South Africans have become gullible
to the abuse of religion, given their poor economic circumstances, gender
injustices and, for many, their uninformed theological understandings, while,
in some cases, there are psychological reasons. In response to these forms of
gullibility, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of
Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (the CRL Rights Commission)
has come up with a proposal that the government should regulate
churches through an umbrella organization that will oversee the administration
of churches, and the affiliation of churches to a mother church, which
prescribes a minimum qualification for pastors, and addresses doctrinal issues
and related matters. However, there are scholars and some sectors of society
that argue against the regulation of religion. What then is the solution? This
article argues that a theology of discernment, as found in the Bible in 1 John
4:1-3, can assist, 1) to deal with the abuse of religion; and 2) to deal with the
gullibility of society in respect of the abuse of religion in South Africa.
