Nigerian pastor Apostle Emmanuel Iren has questioned why some people ridicule Christians for openly expressing their love for God while accepting similar displays of passion from music lovers, football supporters and celebrity fans.
The cleric raised the issue during a sermon, comparing the criticism some Christians face for their religious devotion with the enthusiasm people display towards their favourite entertainers and football clubs.
He argued that people who become emotional at concerts or spend significant amounts of money supporting their favourite teams are not necessarily subjected to the same scrutiny as Christians who passionately worship God.
During his sermon, Iren recalled seeing a video of a grown man crying during a performance by American singer Beyoncé.
He questioned why such an emotional reaction could be accepted as an expression of admiration while men who sing and praise God passionately in church are sometimes mocked.
“As a man, why are you crying when Beyonce is singing? As a man, you are a joker. But if they find you in church singing and praising the Lord, they call you a fool for it,” he said.
The preacher used the example to highlight what he considers an inconsistency in how society responds to public expressions of religious devotion and admiration for celebrities.
Iren also drew attention to football fans who purchase season tickets and spend money following their favourite teams.
He questioned why such financial commitments are generally viewed as expressions of fandom, while Christians who contribute financially to their churches may face criticism.
The cleric further compared displaying a pastor’s photograph at home with putting up a picture of Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, popularly known as CR7.
Through these examples, he challenged people to examine why some expressions of admiration are celebrated while others, particularly those associated with Christianity, are sometimes ridiculed.
Expanding on his argument, Iren maintained that worship is an inherent part of human existence, suggesting that people who do not worship God may devote themselves to other things.
“Every human being is created to worship, and the ones who don’t worship God are worshipping something,” he said.
He encouraged people to reflect on the things that command their attention, emotions, time and financial resources before mocking others for their religious convictions.
Despite defending Christians who openly express their devotion, the cleric cautioned believers against going to extremes, urging them to evaluate their actions in light of biblical teachings.
He maintained that Christians should not allow public opinion to make them ashamed of their faith or their willingness to support the work of the gospel financially.
Emphasising his message, Iren said:
“Don’t apologise for loving Jesus. Don’t apologise for being generous to the course of the gospel. Don’t apologise.”
His remarks have drawn attention to broader discussions about religious expression, personal devotion and society’s differing reactions to the interests and beliefs people choose to embrace.