Eunice Elisha: “Perhaps it’s time to ban public preaching”

RCCG's Pastor Elisha said he's forgiven his wife's killers. — *RCCG’s Pastor Elisha said he’s forgiven his wife’s killers.*

By Rotimi Akinola

While condemning the killing of an Abuja Christian preacher, a Nigerian poet seem to add that the woman was a religious terrorist.

Eunice Elisha, a deaconess at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was killed while preaching in Abuja around 5:30am. Her killers were Muslims who were angered by her message, some allege.

Her kind of evangelism is called “morning cry” so named because it is done early in the morning usually with the help of a megaphone.

Nigerian poet Kukogho Iruesiri Samson say those who engage in morning cries are religious terrorists.

“Many ‘Christians’ have become terrorists in the name of preaching the Gospel,” Samson said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

*Eunice Elisha was found dead with her megaphone lying near her head.*

“These self-appointed preachers terrorize people in public places, threatening them with hell and whatever.

He said they engage in “the predatory invasion and forceful proselytizing in the name of preaching the Good News.”

“A particular woman usually invaded our personal space in a private estate, preaching loudly with a megaphone every morning. It is very irritating.”

“It is time we recognize that not everyone is interested in the messages of any religious group, much less hear it in their personal spaces and in the early hours of the day when they are catching up with sleep.

“Do we even think about people like me who sleep as late as 2am every weekday day and 4am on Saturdays? If in my own home, I can’t find sleep, where should I find it? Imagine being rudely woken up at 5:30am by a booming megaphone! To make it worse, the message is about how your life is a mess and hell is your home if you don’t change! Why? Is that not oppressive?”

Samson had initially noted that no one deserves to die even for engaging in this kind of “terrorism”.

Mr Elisha: "There was a particular day she went out and she told me that there was a mosque at the back where they commented about what she said. So I just cautioned her." — Eunice Elisha: “There was a particular day she went out and she told me that there was a mosque at the back where they commented about what she said. So I just cautioned her,” says the pastor husband of slain RCCG preacher.

The poet then urged the government to ban public preaching based on the following:

How I’d Love To Work With The Nigerian National Team – Mikel Obi

1. Not everyone believes in God or a particular religion
2. Worship places exist there for those who believe
3. Some preaching sessions are annoying and aggressive
4. People with anger issues may hurt more preachers
5. Personal privacy is invaded when preachers take over vehicles and private residences
6. Pamphlets/billboards can do the job of proselytisation

“I sincerely commiserate with Mrs. Elijah’s family,” Samson said.

“Still, I think we should wake up and restructure this habit of evangelism.”

No thanks to Eunice's killers, Mr Elisha is now widowed with seven mouths to feed. — *No thanks to Eunice’s killers, Mr Elisha is now widowed with seven mouths to feed.*

He said those who want to “preach by all means should endeavour to”:

1. Preach to people one on one
2. Mind your language and be less judgmental
3. Avoid the use of noise making equipment like megaphone
4. Seek permission before beginning preaching
5. Use tracts and pamphlets more
6. Avoid dark and dangerous environments
7. By all means avoid mentioning any religious group
8. Walk in pairs for your own safety
9. Above all, be brief and warm – like Jesus
10. Mind your timing.

“I believe many people (especially ‘Christians) will still make fanatical-damnation-and-hell comments here, but I beg you all to take your time to consider how you would feel if you were constantly subjected to a message you hate, especially in your personal space,” he said..