Christians worldwide believe God is universal, He is the same across every inch of the earth. This cannot be disputed as every Christian prays in Jesus’ name and shares the same religious text – the Bible. These can be said to be the common denominator among Christians worldwide. As the name Christian implies, adherents are encouraged to be Christ-like.
God is believed to have created the heaven and the earth and all thereof – the birds, skies, water bodies, animals, the sun and moon, the air we breathe and so on.
The modes of worship of Christians in Nigeria and the West may cause atheists to believe that God in both places may be different or have different personalities.
In Nigeria, the land is alive with the sounds of worship. From the bustling cities to the quiet villages, you can hear the beating drums, the melodious chants and the voices lifted in prayer. Religious worship is often a vibrant and communal experience. Churches and mosques are filled with people singing, clapping and dancing as they express their devotion to a higher power. The noise of worship is seen as a sign of fervent faith, a way to connect with the divine through music and prayer.
But step into a church in the Western world, and you might find a different scene altogether. The difference in noise levels during religious worship is one of the many ways religious practices vary between Nigeria and the Western world.
In contrast, religious worship in the Western world tends to be more subdued. Churches are typically quieter, with emphasis placed on solemnity and reverence. While there may still be singing and prayer, it is often done in a more restrained manner, with less emphasis on outward expressions of emotion.
The difference in noise levels during religious worship can be attributed to a variety of factors, including cultural differences, historical influences and theological beliefs. In Nigeria, where music and dance are integral parts of daily life, it is natural for religious worship to reflect these cultural traditions. In the Western world, where there is a greater emphasis on individualism and personal reflection, religious worship tends to be more introspective and contemplative.
However, it is important to note that these differences do not necessarily indicate a lack of devotion or piety. Whether loud or quiet, religious worship is a deeply personal and meaningful experience for millions of people around the world. Ultimately, the sound of worship is just one aspect of the rich tapestry of religious diversity that exists in Nigeria and the Western world.
We may not exhaustively discuss the differences in culture of both people without also considering the consequences of ‘noisemaking’. In Nigeria, for instance, there is almost no consequence for noisemaking bar the occasional complaints by residents who unfortunately are forced to ‘partake’ in every church service, from praise and worship to the sermon to the altar call. Some years ago, a man went viral after storming a nearby church with his two massive Boerboels, insisting the church deserved to be repaid for disturbing his sleep with their Friday vigil. There has also been news of some residents disconnecting the power source of another church to stop their speakers from interfering with their sleep. Although the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) attempts to stop the torture of noise pollution, which most worship places are guilty of, it remains a battle for Lagosians to report erring churches/mosques for fear of victimisation or being tagged anti-Christ.
Weekday church services are even becoming a thing in Nigeria. With the prevailing economic conditions and poor Nigerians having to turn to God for miracles, churches now conduct these services to foster a connection to the divine to tackle problems in the physical. Recently, the General Overseer of The World International Christian Centre (Wonders Chapel), Bayo Olayemi, advised Nigerians to refrain from spending their working hours at religious places seeking miracles.
“Engage in Business. Stop wasting economic hours in church. God is not wicked; He has blessed us. Look at the great weather and vegetation.
“Some people go into the mountains on the 31st of May and come back on the 8th of June. Which God are you begging?
“Is He so wicked? If she has a shop and locks it for eight days, expecting transformation, and considers that faithfulness.
“If you are abroad, you go to work and clock in. People work on Sunday; God will never send them to hell because of working on Sunday,” he said.
“What about doctors and nurses? He prayed overnight, got to the office and started dozing. They should sack you; you are not faithful. Why should you be dozing during official hours?”
A European or American may find Olayemi’s advice rather strange as church services during productive hours would be impossible in the West. And no, this does not make them less likely to make heaven – if it exists. Despite their ‘less love’ for the divine, they boast of a working, safer and peaceful environment than Nigerians, who have a direct telephone number to heaven and have even had tea with God himself. Unemployment, banditry, kidnapping, a failing economy, decaying infrastructure and the myriad of problems making Nigerians seem religious are absent in the West, making their relationship with God unforced. Nigerians on the other hand require divine help to navigate the most basic physical activity.
Dressing is another contentious matter in comparing Christian worship in Nigeria and in the West. While Nigerian churches frown at women wearing trousers, the West is more liberal. So contentious is this matter than some Nigerian churches with branches in the West bend their rules to favour their congregation in the West – they are allowed to wear trousers and jewellery unlike their counterparts in Nigeria.
Therefore, while the practices and expressions of worship may differ between Nigeria and the Western world, the fundamental belief in God’s universality remains a cornerstone of Christianity worldwide. Whether through vibrant celebrations in Nigerian churches or quiet reflections in Western sanctuaries, believers seek connection and guidance from the same divine source. Ultimately, the diversity in worship styles and societal contexts enriches the global tapestry of faith, reflecting the myriad ways humanity seeks to understand and honour the divine. As Christians continue to navigate these cultural differences, the unity found in shared beliefs and values transcends geographical boundaries, affirming that God is indeed the same everywhere.
