In an exclusive interview with The Punch Newspapers, Chukwudiaso Onyema, an Abuja-based furniture maker, opens up about his transition from Christianity to embracing humanity and his decision to demand a return of his tithe from a former church. Here are the key highlights from the conversation.
Born into a Christian family and raised in Imo State, Onyema had a fairly positive experience growing up in a Christian home. However, his curiosity about the authenticity of miracles led him to explore different churches. He first moved from the Catholic Church to Living Faith Church in 2004, enticed by the miraculous events he witnessed there.
After spending several years at Living Faith Church, Onyema eventually joined Dunamis Church in 2008 due to the compelling testimonies and miracles he saw on Dunamis Television. However, his disillusionment began when he realized that the promises of prosperity associated with giving were not materializing in his life.
In 2018, Onyema had an epiphany that led him to question the concept of giving to God and the effectiveness of organized religion. Motivated to shed light on what he saw as a misleading practice, he made a viral video in which he demanded a refund of his tithes and offerings from Dunamis Church.
Following his realization, Onyema decided to distance himself from organized religion and embrace humanity as a way of life. He acknowledged that traditional religion has its flaws but believes in preserving African customs and traditions rather than adopting foreign religions that he feels have not positively impacted Nigeria.
Onyema’s video generated both support and criticism. Initially, he faced online backlash and lost some Facebook followers, but over time, many of his critics began to understand his perspective and expressed their support.
Throughout this journey, Onyema’s family, including his wife, initially had mixed reactions but eventually came to understand and support his decision.
Looking ahead, Onyema aims to create a change by imparting the values of humanity to those around him, promoting critical thinking, and encouraging individuals to make their own decisions rather than imposing religious beliefs on them.
In his quest for change, Onyema recognizes the importance of addressing certain practices within traditional religion that may be harmful to the environment, such as polluting rivers with sacrificial offerings. He advocates for responsible and considerate rituals that do not harm the environment.
While Onyema acknowledges the spiritual aspect of traditional religion, he remains cautious and believes that further exploration and refinement are necessary to align these practices with his vision of humanity.
Through his personal journey, Onyema highlights the importance of embracing humanity, fostering critical thinking, and encouraging individuals to make informed decisions about their beliefs.
As Onyema continues on his path, he hopes to inspire others to question established norms and embrace a more compassionate and inclusive approach to life, transcending religious boundaries in the pursuit of a better society.