Bishop Benson Bagonza of the Karagwe Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) recently addressed a growing and alarming issue facing religious communities today: the rise of misleading and distorted teachings.
His comments, made during a pivotal meeting on December 27, 2024, held in Karagwe, shed light on the detrimental impact these teachings are having on both Christian and Muslim communities in Tanzania.
In his passionate address, Bishop Bagonza warned that what starts as minor distortions in religious doctrine can quickly escalate into harmful lies, leading people away from the true message of faith. "What begins as a distortion, becomes a lie," he said, calling on religious leaders to take a stand and protect the integrity of their teachings.
This crucial meeting was not just a forum for Christian leaders but included Muslim leaders as well, making it an interfaith conversation about a common issue that transcends denominations.
Together, leaders from the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT), Pentecostal communities, and the Muslim faith united under the shared goal of addressing these misleading teachings, which are not only corrupting spiritual lives but also weakening the social fabric of Tanzanian society.
The event, guided by the leadership of the Karagwe Diocese, highlighted the escalating use of distorted religious practices to exploit people's vulnerabilities for personal gain.
"People are using others' struggles for personal benefit, and that has far-reaching consequences," Bishop Bagonza stated. "These harmful practices not only affect the individual believer but also their families, the peace of the community, and the stability of the nation."
His words resonated deeply as they spoke to the need for unity, accountability, and integrity within religious communities.
One of the most alarming examples of this exploitation is the selling of ‘holy’ items like salt, water, or cloth as spiritual remedies. This practice, Bishop Bagonza explained, has become widespread in some churches, where pastors manipulate their followers’ desperation for spiritual solutions.
"It is a distortion of the sacred gospel," he said. "The selling of holy water or salt is an abuse of the faith, and it does nothing to help those seeking guidance or healing."
Such distortions, he noted, are not limited to a single denomination but are found across many. He warned that even within his own Lutheran community, there were pastors who were veering away from biblical teachings, using their positions for financial gain or to exploit their followers' vulnerabilities.
He pointed out that this was a systemic problem, with leaders in various denominations, from Lutherans to Pentecostals, using their pulpits to promote false doctrines.
"These leaders may either be ignorant of the truth or they may be deliberately misleading their congregations to enrich themselves," he said, urging his fellow pastors to take a stand against these dangerous trends.
During the meeting, several leaders shared personal experiences of how they had witnessed the damaging effects of these false teachings. Some spoke of practices like forcing women to meet marriage requirements before the consummation of their union or manipulating couples by blessing their marriages before they even came together as husband and wife.
These actions, they agreed, were not only unbiblical but were deeply harmful to the sanctity of marriage and family life. "We cannot allow such practices to continue," Bishop Bagonza declared. "They undermine the very foundations of society."
Such misleading teachings are not confined to Tanzania. Across the globe, similar issues have arisen, with leaders exploiting religious faith for personal power and financial gain. In the United States, for example, the prosperity gospel movement has flourished.
Televangelists, such as Kenneth Copeland and Joel Osteen, have faced criticism for preaching that material wealth and success are signs of divine favor, often encouraging followers to donate large sums of money in exchange for financial blessings.
These teachings, critics argue, distort the true message of Christianity, which emphasizes humility, charity, and spiritual growth rather than material wealth.
In Africa, the situation is equally troubling. In Nigeria, Pastor David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church, has been accused of promoting a “wealth gospel” that aligns with the prosperity teachings seen in the West.
Oyedepo, whose church operates one of the largest Christian universities in the world, has often preached about the power of tithing and offering in receiving blessings. While the practice of tithing is rooted in biblical tradition, critics argue that it is being misused to enrich church leaders at the expense of their congregations.
"The gospel of prosperity is misleading the faithful into believing that their financial status is directly tied to their faith," one Nigerian critic noted. "This message creates a cycle of exploitation."
Meanwhile, in Asia, misleading religious teachings have taken different forms. In South Korea, a church called the Shincheonji Church of Jesus gained international attention for its controversial practices.
The church, led by Lee Man-hee, has been accused of brainwashing followers, including recruiting young people under pretenses and isolating them from their families.
The group has also been linked to a major COVID-19 outbreak in the country, drawing sharp criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability. Critics argue that groups like Shincheonji exploit vulnerable individuals seeking meaning in their lives, only to use them for financial gain or to advance the church’s agenda.
Similarly, in India, there has been a rise in self-proclaimed spiritual gurus who prey on the vulnerable. Many of these gurus, such as Baba Ramdev and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, have been involved in scandals ranging from sexual abuse to fraudulent business practices.
Despite these controversies, they continue to attract large followers, with some even claiming miraculous powers of healing. These figures use their spiritual authority to manipulate their followers, often masking their misdeeds with promises of wealth, health, or divine favor.
The issue of misguided teachings is not just confined to any one faith or region but is a global challenge, affecting countless believers who are vulnerable to exploitation.
As Bishop Bagonza put it, the responsibility lies with all religious leaders to ensure that their teachings are grounded in truth and integrity. He also emphasized the importance of education, both for religious leaders and their followers, to help them distinguish between authentic and misleading teachings.
“We must guide our people with truth, compassion, and wisdom,” said Bishop Bagonza. “If we don’t stand up against these distortions, we risk losing the very essence of our faith. We must remain grounded in the Word of God, and we must teach our followers to do the same.”
As the meeting came to a close, the leaders reflected on the importance of collaboration in tackling this global issue. “This is not just a Tanzanian problem; it’s a global issue,” Bishop Bagonza said. “We must unite, stand firm, and protect the integrity of our faiths.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Bishop Bagonza’s message was clear: it is essential to continue speaking out against false teachings and to create an environment where the truth is upheld above all else. Whether in Tanzania, the United States, Nigeria, or South Korea, the message is universal: only through honesty, integrity, and a return to true religious principles can religious communities thrive and fulfill their calling to serve others.
At the Biblical Counselling and Intercession Centre, under Wapo Mission International, Assistant Bishop Michael Peter Iman has strongly opposed celebrating Christmas, calling December 25 a pagan holiday with no biblical basis. "Jesus was not born on this date, and it’s not a biblical celebration," Iman stated.
While some church members, particularly those from other Christian denominations, still secretly observe Christmas, Iman insists that Christians should reject such traditions. This controversy highlights a broader debate over religious observance, with some advocating for a return to biblical teachings amidst the commercialization of faith. The issue remains divisive within the congregation.
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