Church?

Why do our Churches continue to burden our people with so much? This is a non – denominational entry. This is aimed at all the churches of whatever denomination that continue to add on to the struggles and burdens of the parishioners that live in shacks and houses that could do with renovations, while the pastors/reverends/preachers live in single/two/three storey mansions. Before I go on I would like to say that I grew up in an EFKS household and I still am an EFKS parishioner but I do disagree with many points in the EFKS ‘theology’. I will discuss these disagreements or rather, dissatisfactions, about the ‘church’ and how I believe that with some guidance, these so – called spiritual institutions can assist with poverty alleviation.

Big church buildings DO NOT get you into Heaven. Why is it that our churches in Samoa and around the world build such monstrosities that cost so much money? This money could be channeled into community development initiatives such as grassroots development projects, education reform initiatives, and missionary work and much more. Note that there is already money set aside for some churches missionary activities but much more could be saved if we return to our roots of “simplicity”. God does not live in that building we call holy. The house of God is His people. The body of believers is the true church of God. The temple of God, as stated in the Bible is our hearts and bodies.

 I don’t see why many families who already are struggling to make ends meet, throw their money away on buying the pastor and his family some new cars, clothes, a new house etc. It is beyond me that these so – called men of God would continue to sit there and say nothing in an attempt to dissuade the parishioners from ‘spoiling’ them too much. Many of our people are already living in poverty and to become impoverished even more by the supposed ‘need’ to give ridiculously large amounts of money to the church, is at times pushing our people further away from the true meaning of Christianity and that is to have that personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to also ensure that you take care of your family as much as you can and give what you CAN to the church.

Some of my family are staunch EFKS followers and I’m not saying I’m not BUT there are certain so – called ‘laws’ or protocols that I refuse to follow. One of these so – called protocols is where a child is of age to begin taking the communion. It is my belief in my reading of the Bible that once a child is of the age of understanding; he or she is able to partake in the communion.

 In relation to the Catholics who have priests that are not permitted to be married, why? I ask this in all due respect because doesn’t God say in the Bible that we are to be fruitful? Wasn’t sex created by our Lord God for the enjoyment of everyone within the holy bond of marriage? Getting a bit away from point here so back to it.

Since when did building these massive money wasting structures mean that you are ensured entry into Heaven? At the rate our people are giving all they have to the churches it seems to me that this is their way of atoning for their sins and attempting to “buy” their way into Heaven.  Since when did giving all your money to the church ensure that you and yours got a place within the confines of the pearly gates? Since when did giving to the church become such a competition amongst our people and since when did this become culture? Its become a culture that is detrimental to family values and family togetherness, so much so that we have parishioners who get loans just to up their taulaga or their annual alofa’s to the faifeau. It’s a sad reality because the stress of trying to repay the loans whilst continuing the weekly or bi – weekly contributions to the church, is straining relationships within the aigas. Maybe not in all but definitely in most. I pray that we one day have pastor’s that not only preach the true message of God but also a pastor that understands that the people are suffering. The rising cost of living in Samoa is sky – rocketing with many families struggling to feed, clothe and house their families. I am sad to say this but Samoa seems to have become a dog eat dog world where it’s the survival of the fittest and the concept of alofa is hardly ever practiced anymore.

This whole EFKS business of the fa’amati  is another grand example of stupidity. I have been told by some of the elders that this practice was never a part of our culture and it was never done this way. In the past, the fa’amati was when the pastor of an aulotu would walk around his village to visit, pray, feed and spend time with his flock, tending to their spiritual needs and wants. Nowadays, its all about extravagance and who can give their faifeau the best gift of the year. Just last year 14 pastors in one district were each presented with brand spankin’ new cars. I feel for the parishioners! I feel sorry for them because they have come to believe that this is “culture” which it is not.

I am sure that my discontentment with these issues are leading to many of the EFKS and other denomination youths leaving their spiritual roots in droves. It is sad that this is the case … our churches have become outdated, boring and institutionalized. God came to set us free… Not to burden us even more. Remember, salvation comes only through faith and living for God as instructed by Him in the Bible. We are not going to get into Heaven via “good works” such is the belief of Hindis, Buddhists etc. The gift of eternal life with Christ is FREE.

One more thing before I go. Why in the world are our churches becoming more and more businesslike? Since when did business ever enter into the equation of God’s plan for humanity? I pray that our churches go back to their roots where they save souls first and foremost instead of saving and making money. Like I always say, ua tausi lava e le lafu mamoe le leoleo mamoe/ the flock have now come to tend to the Sheppard … this is supposed to the other way around but sadly, this is not the case nowadays. There is NO pastor/bishop/pope/reverend/preacher in the Holy Trinity! 

Thank You HRPP... sent to the Observer last year...

This was one of my letters to the editor last year concerning the many promises from the HRPP before the elections earlier this year. 

Thank You HRPP

To the Human Rights Protection Party or the HRPP, thank you for all that you have done for the betterment and development of our nation. Thank you for all the money that you have managed to borrow from the international financial institutions for Samoa’s supposed development. Thank you for increasing the amount of foreign debt that my and the future generation(s) will have to pay off. Thank you for that burden that our forefathers never dreamed of placing on their children. Thank you also for selling our customary lands and our heritage along with it. Thank you for the many promises of free primary education that has yet to come to fruition. Thank you for the wonderful and grand Government buildings that continue to be erected around Upolu that become a good home for muck, mould and moss within 3 months. I guess that’s a good way of saving the environment. Thank you for these buildings that have costs millions; millions that could have gone into the renovation of our national hospitals and also towards the improvement of our education system in the past ten years; two vital sectors of any country’s economy. Thank you for the grand equipment given to our doctors to care and tend to our sick. The x-ray machine from the 1950s, the gurney’s that still have the previous patients blood on them, the antibiotics that always run out, the second rate wages/salaries you pay our hard working health professionals (doctors AND nurses) and also to our teachers, and the beautiful bathroom services available at the TTMH. Thank you for the increasing cost of living that has created widespread poverty… poverty of opportunity. Thank you for taking away from the futures of the kids who sell goods on the streets because they are forced to be there to financially provide for their families. Thank you so much for allowing our future generations to become uneducated and for many, turning them into criminals!

Thank you for taking most of the tsunami aid relief and saving it for another future disaster. Thank you to our PM for stating on international television that the pain and suffering, the death and heartache, the ongoing struggle for survival caused by the tsunami is no longer “newsworthy”. Thank you for allowing foreign Governments to do your job by providing millions of dollars to rebuild the devastated areas of our tsunami ravaged South East Coast. Thank you for allowing the families affected by the tsunami to show the world their resilience and the true spirit of the Samoan, by HARDLY assisting them with rebuilding their lives and their livelihoods. Thank you for all the wonderful things you continue to do and the promises you continue to break. It is such a joy to live under the Government that spurns the dictatorial rule of Com. Bainimarama in Fiji when we are ourselves belittled and publically ridiculed on national television for even questioning any of Governments initiatives. My gosh, aren’t we all so lucky to live under a one party state? A dictatorial Government not of the sword but of the pen and the tala. Thank you HRPP, for all the non – wealth you have generated for our people that continue to migrate overseas in search for a better life and future for their families. Thank you for the opportunities you have given criminals to better themselves by allowing them to continue on as Government Ministers and for some convicted former public servants to be appointed to Government Boards simply because he is married to a Government Minister. We are a land of the free and equal opportunity for all those that have committed a crime. Gosh, aren’t we lucky? We must be thankful because only in Samoa can you be a Government Minister and keep your post even though you have been charged and convicted of negligent driving causing damage to other people’s vehicles not in one but TWO accidents. Thank you HRPP for allowing our Constitution to become as sacred as a roll of tumama toilet paper with all your constant amendments to it! Thank you for appointing such worthy and honest public servants into posts of authority who now have an easier way of making a quick buck by not reimbursing our Ministry of Finance with money that was supposed to be given back to the Government… basically to US, the taxpayers. There is so much more to be thankful for but for now I shall leave it at this……. Soifua ma ia manuia, 

Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian Come to Samoa

The infamous sex tapes that shot Paris and Kim to stardom or infamy have now come to influence teen culture in Samoa. Recently, a 16year old female student by the name of ..... (yeah right), made a personal PRIVATE video of the sexual kind ... sent it to her boyfriend ... and that was it! Until they broke up and he posted it on the net and has since gone viral. This blogger hasnt seen the video yet nor do I want too as the girl is the same age as my niece. Its sad that this stuff is happening in Samoa but what do we expect? We arent immune to the effects of globalization and also our youth are growing up in an age where technology opens up some pretty dark and dodgy doors for them to explore. I guess what saddens me the most about this whole debacle is the lack of accountability on the part of the ex boyfriend (who I wish I could kikiga… God help me be Christian… lol) who is the cause of the whole fiasco as he posted the now infamous sex video. It’s quite sad that the poor young girl, misguided as she was to create the video in the first place, is now subject to ridicule that will mark her for the rest of her life. I pray for you young sister. I pray for you and your family! There are so many questions that need to be answered but by whom, I leave that up to you. What made her think the act or acts in the video was a sign of true love? Was she not taught well at home and at church that these things are forbidden and that she, as a young Samoan woman, had to ‘keu her mamalu’? Where is the ridicule of the ex boyfriend that posted the video? How come he is not being held accountable? Where is the justice for this little girl that has lost her way in life? How come the little moepi that posted it isn’t getting as much ridicule and harsh treatment as the girl? Why is she the only one being victimized? Is it because she is a girl? If so, that is sexist and pathetic! Ua ova le fia mama o kakou kagaka! Samoa is sadly filled with so many holier than thou hypocrites who need to look in the mirror and also take the log out of their own eye before taking the speck out of their neighbors eyes. I pray that this stupidity doesn’t lead the little girl to suicide. If we truly are a nation founded on God, we should shut up… pray and fast for her well being instead of being the judgmental hypocrites some of our people are … Samoa, lest we forget, we are all sinners... no ONE is perfect! God bless this little girl! God comfort her in her hour of need and weakness!  And some advice... for the young girls... lets leave the sex tapes to the reality tv personalities who think of themselves as celebrities simply because they knew how to spread their legs infront of a camcorder.