Public opinion has been sharply divided following the decision of an Ondo State-based pastor, Olabanjo Felix, to renounce Christianity and embrace Isese practice, an indigenous Yoruba spiritual tradition, declaring himself a Babalawo.Africans & Diaspora
Felix, who previously founded the Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries in Ibaka, Oka Akoko area of Ondo State, revealed his personal spiritual journey in a viral video that surfaced on social media platforms on Thursday.
Announcing his transition from Christian ministry to Ifรก practice, the former cleric revealed his new spiritual identity.
โIโm now Ifawamiri Aworanolodumare, Babalawo of Ifรก,โ he declared in the video.
Felix expressed gratitude to his new spiritual mentor, the Araba of Isararemแป, Oluแนฃแบนgun Latunji Aifuwapแบน, and his spiritual sons for guiding him.
In a controversial remark, the former pastor described foreign religions as deceitful, asserting that indigenous Yoruba worship is superior.Africans & Diaspora
He, however, failed to clarify the fate of his church ministry and congregation.
The announcement has sparked widespread debates across X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, centring on religious freedom, cultural identity, and the sincerity of public religious figures.
On X, user Zillennial Mom, who tweets as #chiziterem92555, questioned the fluidity of personal convictions, writing, โSo after years of preaching that Christianity is the truth, he has now concluded that โall foreign religions are liesโ and รแนฃแบนฬแนฃe is the real deal. What exactly changed, the truth, or the man?โ
Conversely, another user, #RevolutionNIG, backed the former pastorโs move to indigenous roots, stating, โIf you have to worship ancestors, make sure itโs your own ancestors, not the ancestors of other people far away in another continent.โ
Others, like Adebe Pius, identified on X as #nicelyPIUS, alleged that many clerics secretly combine traditions, commenting, โAt least this one went back after the church packaging failed him. There are still thousands of native doctors operating churches as pastors.โ
On Facebook, commentators offered contrasting views regarding financial motivations and spiritual backsliding.
Oluwafemi Akande wrote, โChurch business has collapsed.โ Another commenter, Olugbenga Adeni, supported this, saying, โHe was unable to cash out with Christianity and decided to go back to his ancestors. The real โtake it back.โ
Ogunmoniwo Balogun Matthew urged restraint and prayers, stating, โJESUS IS LORDโฆ He may still come backโฆ So donโt judge himโฆ The prodigal son did the sameโฆ came backโฆ God accepted him again.โ
Ola Ajibola similarly wrote. โHe only needs our prayers at a terrifying time like these in the worldโฆ letโs lift him up in the spirit.โ
Instagram users humorously speculated about his past ministry methods. A user, #staarseed7, wrote, โPerson wey be babalawo on suit since. He just wan come out fully now,โ while #2wyth.gbedupote wrote, โThe Ancestors retrieved their own. He found truth.โ
Olawale_01 commented, โNa the church members I pity. Baba has been using two-factor authentication from the beginning,โ just as #i_am_candydessie said, โHe just decided to stay true to himself; he has been a babalawoโ
#menalonelagos supported the move, saying, โHe did not dump Christianity. He just became bold and stopped pretendingโ
Felixโs public conversion underscores the complex relationship and ongoing dialogue between indigenous African spirituality and conventional religious institutions in Nigeria.History
In July, a professor of Yoruba folklore, literature and culture at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Olusola Ajibade, noted the influence of Isese on the worship styles and music of Christians and Muslims in Yoruba land, saying that Isese was visible in the musical instruments and dance styles now common in churches, despite the religionโs historical rejection of such practices.
Credit: PUNCH
WARNING: If You Are Not 18+, Don’t Click The Link Below ๐๐ซฃย
Did you want to monetize your website, join MONETAG or ADSKEEPER and start earningย
Please donโt forget to โAllow the notificationโ so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it.
Drop your comment in the section below, and donโt forget to share the post.
Never Miss A Single News Or Gist, Kindly Join Us On WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vad8g81Eawdsio6INn3B
Telegram Channel:
https://t.me/gistsmateNG