An alleged fake healings in Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC) has sparked a major controversy among christians in Nigeria.
A former pastor at the church, Abraham Daniel, stirred the hornet’s nest of major controversy in an interview with Kaa Truths. He accused the church’s Senior Pastor, Paul Enenche of always staging fake miracles like a show.
Daniel accused the church of misleading congregants through staged healing and deliverance sessions. These claims have set off heated debates. Nigeria is a country already grappling with a wave of controversies surrounding fake prophecies, paid confessions, and staged miracles in religious settings.
Fake healings in Dunamis: ‘I left out of frustration’
Daniel revealed that he left leave Dunamis Church out of frustration over what he described as a “flawed approach to healing and deliverance.” According to him, the miracles often celebrated during services are far from genuine.
“After every healing and deliverance service, more people end up needing healing than those who initially attended,” he said. Daniel likened the emotionally charged environment of the services to a chaotic stadium crowd reacting to danger. “If people hear a lion is nearby, even a crippled person might jump a fence,” he said.
Daniel alleged that the services exploit environmental effects—a mix of music, lighting, and emotionally charged atmospheres. He claimed the church uses those to manipulate congregants into believing they have received healing. However, the reality sets in after the lights go off and the crowd disperses. “What happens on stage is different from reality,” he added.
Echoes of fake miracles across Nigeria
Many Nigerian churches have long faced accusations of faking miracles and prophecies. It happens in other African countries, too. Notable scandals include incidents where individuals many thought received healings later exposed as actors hired to fake illnesses. In 2019, the video of a woman allegedly resurrected in South Africa went viral, only to be debunked as staged. Similar instances of “mercantile confessions” have tarnished the image of religious leaders nationwide.
Critics often cite the lure of financial gain as a motivation behind these acts. Philosopher Karl Marx’s famous assertion that “religion is the opium of the masses” rings true in this context. Critics argue that many churches exploit desperate individuals for profit. Sociologist Emile Durkheim also warned against the dangers of blind faith manipulated by charismatic leaders.
The Christian community reacts
The Christian community’s reactions to Daniel’s claims vary. While some members of Dunamis Church dismissed the allegations as the bitter words of a disgruntled former pastor, others expressed concerns.
“This is a wake-up call for the church to examine its practices,” said Pastor Emeka, a cleric from another Pentecostal denomination. “We cannot allow the gospel to be tainted by greed and deception.”
Social media users have flooded the platforms with heated discussions. “I stopped attending healing services years ago. They are more like theatrical performances,” tweeted @FaithfulNaija.
Legal implications and government response
The Nigerian Criminal Code Act explicitly forbids obtaining by false pretense, which includes making deceptive claims for financial gain. Section 419 criminalizes fraud and manipulation, with penalties ranging from fines to lengthy prison sentences.
A government spokesperson, while addressing the issue, stated: “The exploitation of citizens under the guise of religion undermines societal trust. The law must take its course against perpetrators of fraud in any form, including fake miracles.”
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has also warned religious organizations against airing deceptive content that promotes fake healing or unverified miracles.
Why fake healing persists
The persistence of fake healing in Dunamis and similar churches highlights deeper societal issues. Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system and widespread poverty push many citizens to seek miraculous solutions. Religious leaders, aware of this desperation, capitalize on it to grow their followings and financial fortunes.
“People are looking for hope,” said sociologist Uche Anigbogu. “Unfortunately, some clergy exploit this desperation instead of addressing the root causes.”
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