Many charlatans now pose as religious leaders, University don laments
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Prof Samuel Ekundayo Oladipo, a Social Psychologist from Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, has lamented alarming increase of many dubious characters posing around as religious leaders whose major forte is exploitation, extortion and manipulation of members of the public who daily throng their worship centres for one one thing or the other.
Prof. Samuel Oladipo made this disclosure during his inaugural lecture with the theme “Religion And Psychology: The (Un) Holy-Alliance In Contemporary Times”.
Prof. Oladipo a Director, of the Directorate of Research and External Relations and the erstwhile Dean, of the College of Specialised and Professional Education, (COSPED) of the university warned that “religion should never be used as an instrument to defraud, molest or abuse unsuspecting and sincere faithfuls, rather it should be for uplifting their well-being and psychological balance”.
He cautioned individuals on the need to liberate themselves by jettisoning ignorance and embracing knowledge to break loose from the shackles of bondage and gullibility.
” The truth is that majority of the present-day religious leaders who are supposed to guide adherents to enjoy the benefits of religion are mostly exploiting and using religion for personal gain to the detriment of their followers”, he remarked.
Prof. Oladipo advised individuals not to compound their woes by believing their supposed religious leader’s hook, line and sinker, but to rationalise every instruction or counsel before accepting them to be the truth.
On the issue of who seeks spiritual help more between men and women, the Inaugural Lecturer, asserted that women seek spiritual help more than men irrespective of their educational status and socioeconomic well-being.
According to Prof. Oladipo, the main reason why women seek spiritual help in most cases is based on family problems, health issues, career, finance, and perceived persecution.
However, the Inaugural lecturer declared that the help givers that women seek help from in most cases are not professionally qualified to give the kind of help required but rather add to the agony of those help seekers.
On the perceived role of women as weaker vessels, he encouraged women to get involved in roles that are predominantly regarded as male roles and desist from playing second fiddle.
Prof Oladipo speaking further, encouraged women to embrace attitudinal change, behaviour modification, and cognitive restructuring while at the same time rejecting the tar brush of women being labeled as “entertainment materials”.
To reduce stress exhibited by students due to pressure, Prof. Oladipo recommended that stress management skills should be incorporated into Students’ curriculum from the lower grades so that students can adjust better to campus life due to pressure.
The former Dean,COSPED, recommended that with the proper blend of Religion and Psychology, a beneficial mental health is assured.
Guests from all walks of life including the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu were in attendance to grace the 12th inaugural lecture of the institution.
