I congratulate INFORMANTÈ for tackling a real ‘hot potato’ by publishing Farai Mamiua’s letter. However, we have to ask, when was it really different? The same problem – greed of the clergy - led to the reformation of the original church by Martin Luther and others. This avariciousness is a symptom of a fundamental illness of some Christian churches. Since humans managed the message of Christ, money played a role in the church.

When Jesus, the man from Nazareth, was still alive; money played a role in paving the Jew’s way to crucify him. During the times of Martin Luther, the only church at that time ‘sold’ the right of entry to paradise.

If you believe in their marketing-strategy, you could literally buy your way into it; one could buy the forgiveness of one’s sins, of all sins, if only the money was right. It was not much different from what we see today in many churches. However, today the pastors sell you even paradise on earth, they sell you the same riches the devil himself offered Jesus on a ‘silver platter’  – Jesus refused them brusquely.

Why do we now have so many ‘Christian’ churches and why do we see so many ‘fat-cat-pastors’ emerging everywhere in this world? Religion has again become a global and highly profitable business. These ‘pastors’ deceive everyone who innocently listens to them. However, someday and somewhere, the deceived churchgoer will wake up.

Horrible wars were fought in the past by Christians and millions of people died. It was not Jesus who fought a war or preached it, no, but those who ‘managed’ his legacy did. They did it in his name, and the confusion led to the disapproval of our believe by many in this world. It led to the falling apart of the original Christian mother-church, to the establishment of the reformed churches and, eventually, to so many sects. Many pastors simply corrupt the true message of Christ – we cannot doubt it because we see it.

However, the true and strong message of Jesus Christ will never die. It is two thousand years old and will survive all the various onslaughts on its integrity. My advice to the believers, read your Bible carefully and discuss its message outside the church if you are in doubt about the translations by your church and its pastor.

Think carefully how Jesus would have handled the problem you have on your hands now and what the core-message he left us is. Remember, Jesus warned us sternly about being materialistic and not to fall prey to the ‘wolves disguised in sheepskins’. Don’t only listen to the greedy pastors who address only your greedy self; listen to Jesus and your own brain, to your own judgment and to your conscience