I have nothing against churches, Falz insists

Popular Nigerian music star, Falz who is planning the second edition of his concert, The Falz Experience, has sensationally revealed that he stopped attending churches because he was constantly being put under undue pressure by pastors of churches he visited.

Falz, son of Femi Falana, the lawyer explained that he was not happy with pastors always asking him to come out to the altar to acknowledge his presence, adding that the service was never about him but everybody who comes there to worship God.

The singer, who disclosed this in an interview with Silverbird Television said while he valued spirituality over religion, his decision to stop attending churches did not make him less a Christian.

The reason is that I went to a few churches and, during sermons, I was put under undue pressure. There was a time that a pastor called me to the altar just to acknowledge my presence for being in church,” the singer explained.

He said: “In my mind, I felt that the service was not about me. I felt that everybody was there to worship God, yet they were putting undue pressure on me. The pastor gave me the microphone to address the congregation and I was puzzled; what did he expect me to say to the congregation?”

He also said he valued spirituality over religion and it doesn’t make him less of a Christian.

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“I have nothing against the church or going to church. Everyone has the right to practise the religion they desire. It has been a while that I have been to church. It does not make me less of a Christian,” he said.

Reacting to the criticisms that trailed the release of his album, Moral Instruction, in January, he said, he was prepared for the reactions from the onset.

He said, “My songs are always going to be heard. The world is a lot smaller now; it only takes one post and it’s everywhere regardless of the attempts by powers that be to try to stop stuff here and there.

“If you’re making this kind of music, you have to always be ready for the worst. Of course, ‘This is Nigeria’ was banned. We’re still in court. But I have my fundamental rights so you can’t really stop that regardless of what body you are.”

Speaking on his concert set to hold on Sunday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, he explained that the Falz Experience would showcase the unique sides of Falz the Bahd Guy, but this time with a twist.