They say a church is a sacred place and activities conducted in the holy gathering should be discreet as not to distract the service and other activities.
However, with the emergence of modern technology, there is a resultant trend by most worshippers to carry electronic gadgets like iPads and mobile phones to church.
The use of electronic gadgets has become so rampant coupled with a lack of etiquette that some churches have resorted to pasting notices asking worshippers to switch off their phones.
Some churches, on the other hand, are encouraging their members to embrace technology and use electronic devices for convenience in worship. Some people claim the gadgets assist them to open and locate Bible books and verses faster than using a hard-copy Bible.
However, others speak against the use of the gadgets saying it is a source of distraction as most worshippers are fond of taking selfies, updating their social media posts, among others, as opposed to concentrating on the sermon.
In a video recently published on CelebrationTV Channel, Nigerian televangelist and Omega Fire Ministry (OFM) founder, Apostle Johnson Suleman, clearly stated that reading the bible from phones and IPad when in church does not show reverence to God.
He admonished his members not to read from digital devices while quoting a verse of scripture that says “search the scriptures”.
According to the senior pastor, the scripture is meant to be searched and not punched.
“Do not bring your iPhone, IPad, any device to church to read your Bible from it….You can do that in your office, you can do that anywhere, but to read your Bible from your phone when you are in church, it doesn’t show reference to God…..John 5: 39 says search the scripture, it didn’t say punch the scripture….”
The apostle’s message, however, did not sink well with some digitally-savvy folks who took to various mediums to express their exasperation.
UK-based comedian Wale Gates tweeted a snip of the video and called the preacher an “Otobo Jockey,” referring to a sex scandal the preacher was linked within 2018 by a lady named Stephanie Otobo.
“Don’t bring phone or tablet to Church” – Pastor Suleiman AKA OTOBO JOCKEY,” wrote Wale. “The reason he doesn’t want you to bring your device to church is Bcos he doesn’t want you to Fact-check his BS in Real-time. It’s all about control.”
“The bible didn’t tell him to use a microphone too, I don’t know why Pastor is disobeying God. I mean Jesus preached to 5000 without one, Since we are using your BS logic,”
continued the comedian.
And as usual, the replies came pouring in.
Pastors like this are keeping their congregation in a psychological prison. He did not mention the mic 🎤in his hand or the Rolls Royce he uses as hindrance to God’s ministries. How do educated ppl still sit and listen to this crap every Sunday?
— UDO (@udokafor) January 29, 2019
For the fact that the Bible is on any gadget does not make it less a book. The Bible is a book in E format. This is another brainwashing! my people are perishing for lack of knowledge
— Edward Kayode (@eddykappa14) January 30, 2019
Yeah sure. Phones are sort of a Distraction but most of their services are now live on IG, Facebook?. Which will serve a better distraction now?..
— Shilo Oca3e (@Shilorine) January 29, 2019
The God that is in the office is different from the God in church abi? Yeye!
— Eboigbe Augustine 🇳🇬 (@Prince_E_Austin) January 29, 2019
He is grossly wrong in that. The original bible then was not in books, but in scrolls and parchments. Some were even written on stones for records. If we were to use the real bible it would not be in book form. Modern technology brought about books in the, so modern tech is phone
— simplynextlevel (@Micadekoyejo721) January 30, 2019
I really feel sorry for the people that attend this man’s church.
It’s very sad.
Seeing the multitudes, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd
Matthew 9:36— Alabi I. Ayodeji (@damola_ade77) January 30, 2019
I actually don’t see a difference between using your bible app on your phone and opening the paper bible, I feel it’s actually the words that matter. Moreover, many churches use projectors nowadays.
So what’s the big deal?
— DamiLare (@MrMalvins) January 29, 2019
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