Nigerian pastor hits out at 'compulsory tithing'
A respected pastor in Nigeria has hit out at the practice of tithing -
which is when Christians give 10% of their earnings to the church.
Pastor Tunde Bakare told the BBC Yoruba service that it should not be compulsory.
Giving
tithes is a controversial topic here in Nigeria and many churches
compel members of their congregations to tithe, even though many people
cannot afford to do so.
It is estimated that 80% of Nigerians live on less than $2 (£1.40) a day.
Pastor Bakare, who leads the popular Later Rain Assembly church in Lagos, did not mince his words:
"Tithing is not compulsory. No-one should feel compelled to pay - no-one is holding a gun to their head."
The
words of the pastor, who is also a politician - he served as President
Muhammadu Buhari's running mate in the 2011 elections won by Goodluck
Jonathan - are likely to spark a fierce debate.
He warned:
"Churches where pastors are becoming fat and the members are growing lean, God will judge them."
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