Word of God goes commercial

In recent history, there has been a proliferation of deliverance churches led by charismatic pastors. Though not operationally related, deliverance churches and charismatic pastors have a lot in common all over South Africa. Churches are mainly temporary tent structures, based in townships and use TV or radio advertising to lure congregants.

They normally don't have a church council or constitution, the pastor's word is final. Charismatic pastors don't have any documented theological training from accredited institutions - they rely solely on charisma. They are relatively young in age and conspicuously black.

This breed preaches mainly in English and says incantations in foreign lingo even though their congregants are semi-literate. Charismatic pastors solicit enormous tithes and offerings from poor unsuspecting worshippers. There are lots of lose ends vis-à-vis` charismatic evangelism though it has gained unprecedented popularity. This trendy spiritual phenomenon is not regulated by any statutory or recognisable body in South Africa. Noise decibels from these temporary places of worship don't conform to municipal by-laws.

Though arguably divine institutions, their modus operandi renders these churches a nuisance to adjacent communities. In many cases, the pastor affectionately called "Man of God" is the sole prophet and the only one with direct spiritual communiqué. At most churches worshippers attending so-called deliverance services have to deposit cash into church's bank account and produce a copy of deposit slip as ticket to gain access to "Word of God."

SABC banned EFF's advertisement in the run up to 2014 general election as inciting violence. In the same period ICASA upheld the canning of DA's advertisement as misleading. Charismatic pastors use electronic media as conduit to advertise their supernatural healing powers. They promise instant wealth, job promotion, marriage and deliverance from evil spirit. These pastors are not subjected to prescripts of Advertising Authority of South Africa. Television stations that provide air-time for televangelism often use disclaimer: "Content and views expressed in this programme do not necessarily represent those of the channel. This programme has been paid for by the church concerned."

At least Federal Republic of Nigeria has banned all forms of televangelism on public media because their fallacious content. I dare say SARS must conduct life-style audits on pastors turned gospelprenuers. They must be subjected to tax collection like all other business people. They live in the lap of luxury while their congregants languish in poverty. I was hoping authorities would regulate charismatic evangelism the same way as they legislated against illegal initiation schools.

Charismatic pastors don't apply archetypal methodology of spiritual healing. They do strange things such as making their congregants eat grass, rats, snakes or drink petrol. as pastors Penuel Mnguni and Lesego Daniel have done recently. The most dehumanising of all, is when pastors jump on women's bodies, thereby humiliating a body that brings life to earth. Charismatic pastors don't preach "Word of God" in upmarket suburbs like woodlands or Helicon Heights. Most deliverance churches mushroom at the next vacant piece of land in informal settlements. They are run by charlatans who cajole poor and less informed members of society to advance their gospelprenuership. I'm astonished that so-called progressive women formations aren't vocal on charismatic evangelism that is prejudicial and thrives on dehumanising women.