From where I come, the idea of men revering fellow men to the point of adoration is not just frowned upon, but is also absolutely abominable.
Explains why we (you can guess who the ‘we’ are) have never had a so-called King, or for that matter, Queen. Never!
The paradox though, is we are a highly religious folk. And by religion, the restriction is not about the new forms of religion of Christianity and Islam, this includes traditional religion.
We are also a highly superstitious bunch. For example, on the way to the gardens at dawn with the mist hanging over the hills, if a rat were to cross your path, stopped midway and turned back from whence it came, most of my folk would turn tail and retrace their steps back home.
The rodent’s act is considered a sign of bad things to come, if one presses on with their journey. We also adore our children and spouses, call them endearing nicknames, usually descriptive of their beauty and charm, or comparative to what we consider beautiful, including stars, gems and pebbles.
In religion, we are firm believers. In fact the golden era of Christian evangelism was domiciled in my cradle. Christianity was considered a form of enlightenment and Christian living was considered the panache of civilization. It came down to the smallest basics like to say, “A Christian cannot eat or drink before washing their hands.”
Touché!
Fast forward. The other week there was this spectacle which everybody seems not to get over. The idea of folks not just bowing down to show respect, but literally kissing the shoes of a man they consider a prophet!
I noticed that the bile from some quarters was rearing to gush. Yet the defence from the proponents of this act left me no choice but to let my own bile rise until it overflowed ̶ I just hope it doesn’t spill here.
How for the life of man, do you bend so low (literally) as to kiss another man’s shoes? Is this respect? Nay. Is this adoration? Nay. Is this stupidity? Stupid people will feel insulted if compared to those who kiss the feet of men. So, what nonsense is this?
If indeed this man is so endowed with prophetic power, does that not call for humility and not vanity? Yes, you won’t blame someone who has had their life-long problems sorted by another, not showing love and respect in the best way they know.
But where does the restraint of these ‘love-showing-folks’ start and stop? So, next you will let them suck your toes, and God knows what else!
Anyways, something about this new breed of prosperity gospel men reeks of a con job, but that’s a conversation for another day. Today, I wish to understand how a proud man returns home to his folks, especially the children, and announces how he was at the feet of another man, kissing them.
Pride will be the death of us (I mean my ilk). Some geezers, who think like me, agree that we would rather die than kiss the feet of another man (the more moderate ones add – in public).
In all, looks like men aren’t made of proud material anymore. They aren’t made self-reassuring like once before. They aren’t made reasonable no more. And this should worry the world.
Oh, but on the other hand, I would give a thumbs-up to the men who get their fellow men to kiss their shoes!