Devils in our churches: iLIVE

Religious institutions worldwide are renowned for upholding high moral values in society, and for ensuring that people who are believers always act in ways that seek to promote goodwill.

However, the religious fraternity - regardless of the faith involved - is now facing a new challenge posed by church officials who do not live according to their teachings or the dictates of scriptures.

We now have stories about religious leaders who are often found in compromising positions. These include senior church officials being accused of heinous crimes such as theft, fraud, rape and even murder.

These reports tarnish the image of the church.

A recent incident in the Vaal - where a well-known pastor was arrested for allegedly raping a teenage girl - highlights the challenge.

It is alleged that, after raping the girl, the pastor left her to die in a mortuary.

Why do people in high religious office commit lowly acts?

There appears to be a strong lack of morals in some clergymen, men who are supposed to put society on the right path.

Society expects them to maintain a high moral standard to address the societal ills afflicting our communities.

Instead, they turn out to be evil-doers.

How can they give guidance and advice to members if they embody the sins they condemn?

Communities must act now to prevent those who use the name of God to satisfy their unholy activities.

There is no need for us to keep quiet when religious officials ignore their sacred duty in order to fulfil their unholy desires.

Church members know some of the things the pastors do, but they are not willing to bring these practices to an end. In that time, more people - often children - are victimised.

We have an obligation to protect our children and the church from being used for evil purposes.

As society we must not allow these kinds of evil things to infiltrate our churches, no matter the cost. We must preserve society, preserve morality and preserve the sanctity of our churches. But to achieve this, we need to return to the basics that inform almost all religions - respect for ourselves and for our fellow citizens.