Maitengwe Religious Corner with Elder Vaseline

Being Religious is Dangerous
There is a hard, bitter truth that many are afraid to speak: being religious is dangerous.
Halleluiah!!
The elder is not saying religion is bad but is simple saying people who are religious are dangerous!
In this first sermon of our religious talk the elder want to address region in its original form, meant to bring humanity closer to the divine, to build bridges between people, to nurture love, compassion, and justice.
But sadly, in today's world, being religious has come to mean something else entirely. It often signals blind allegiance to rigid systems, cult-like obedience to self-appointed prophets, and the dangerous abandonment of independent thinking.
Around the world, we have seen horrific acts committed in the name of religion—child marriages endorsed by churches or sects claiming divine instruction, women raped by so-called "prophets" who manipulate scripture to satisfy their lust, entire communities torn apart by religious doctrine turned into tools of control.
These are not isolated incidents. From polygamous cults in the Zimbabwe forcing underage girls into marriage, to extremist sects across Africa where female followers are sexually exploited, to patriarchal teachings that reduce women to second-class beings—these acts are all carried out under the banner of religion.
Religious extremism has fueled wars across the globe. Look at the Middle East, where centuries of conflict between Shia and Sunni Muslims continue to cause untold suffering. In India, religious clashes between Hindus and Muslims have resulted in deadly riots.
All in the name of "God."
A person who is truly religious in today’s sense often surrenders their mind to the institution they follow. They no longer think—they obey. Their morality isn’t guided by reason or conscience but by rigid interpretations of ancient texts, usually filtered through a religious leader with his own agenda. Their religion becomes a box, and everything outside it is dangerous, evil, or forbidden.
They don’t question why a loving God would approve of violence. They don’t ask why a merciful Creator would condemn a woman for being raped or a child for being born outside of wedlock. Their religious identity becomes more important than their human identity.
Instead of identifying with the one Almighty God, who is above all man-made labels, they identify as Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or otherwise—as if God Himself needs a passport or a denomination.
To be clear, this is not an attack on faith. True faith is powerful. True connection with the Creator is beautiful. But what we need today is not more religion—it’s more love.
The essence of all religions is love. Strip away the rituals, the dogma, the politics, and you’ll find a simple, profound call: Love your Creator with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus Christ said exactly that. And that is the only "religion" we need.
We must go beyond the labels that divide us. Beyond the pulpits that preach fear. Beyond the rules that serve the powerful and crush the weak. We must put down the tag of religion and wear the tag of love. Only then can we embrace everyone—regardless of their beliefs, background, or lifestyle.
Because at the end of the day, God is not religion. God is love.

Written by Elder Vaseline Maitengwe Post Weekly Columnist