In the recent days, shocking actions and practices have been witnessed in churches and places of worship.

Pastors and religious leaders have been subjecting their congregants to extreme teachings and making them do questionable things that are evidently contrary to Biblical and genuine religious teachings.

The followers however obey and follow what their leaders tell them to do without any questions.

Here are just some of the many instances that have left many wondering where religion is headed to.

1. Tongue to Tongue Anointing in Southern Nigeria

A Nigerian Religious leader is facing criticism over the manner in which he anointed and ordained a member of the church where he serves as a leader.

In a video doing rounds on social media, the man of God is captured anointing the kneeling man with a liquid in a bottle as he mumbles some words.

He then give the man the liquid to drink, after which he proceeds with the tongue to tongue ritual which he does thrice.

After concluding the tongue ritual, witnesses congratulate the man who had been ordained. Many have condemned the action, saying that it was putting Christianity to shame.

2. Bomet Preacher who canes congregants.

In another shocking incident that came to the limelight just days ago, Pastor Zachary Kibet Rotich of Bethel Church in Bomet was exposed for subjecting his faithful to utter cruelty.

The preacher was captured mercilessly flogging his congregants.

Apparently, the preacher’s aim of subjecting his congregants, especially women, to the beatings was to exorcise demons.

Another shocking video from the church showed church members burning a woman over fire.

Rotich was arrested and charged in court.

3.Bishop Johanna

Danson Gichuhi, popularly known as Bishop Johanna, of Christian Committed Gospel Church, captured headlines early last year when he was captured touching a woman inappropriately, during a heated prayer session, in the name of delivering her.

The Bishop however defended his actions saying, “ That is my specialty and approved by God through my anointment.”

The woman in the viral video also came out to defend her religious leader.

“My husband eloped with another woman. In search of domesticating him, I sought services of a witch doctor who had applied medicine on my bust and genitals to make me attractive in a bid to bring him back , but it never worked,” the woman explained.

According to her, the witchcraft started tormenting her and a friend recommended Bishop Johanna to her saying that he was the only one who could deliver her.

In August 2024, it was reported that the preacher succumbed to Meningitis.

4) Shakahola Massacre

This is one of the major controversial religious incidences that send shock waves in Kenya and beyond. It involves a cult led by Paul Mackenzie, the founder of Good News International church.

The incident first came to public’s attention in March 2023, leading to a discovery of mass graves in Shakahola. Followers of the church were subjected to fasting to death with the promise of meeting their savior.

They were urged against going to school and seeking medical attention from hospital, practices that were considered ungodly.

Those who changed their minds about starvation and the church’s teaching were killed brutally.

The case is still going on in court.

5. Church where members jump over a series of burning candles to receive prayers at the altar.

This is another interesting occurrence that captured netizens’ attention.

According to videos shared on TikTok, members of the church in DRC could be seen jumping over the candles as they proceeded to where their pastor was.

Some were even jumping with babies in their arms. Minors were also not spared in doing the amusing jumps.