Why Cults are so appealing in High Power Distance- Kenya.
It has been a very sad period in Kenya to witness the events surrounding the Shakahola Massacre. We are all trying to make sense of what has led to the devastating loss of Kenyan people in the context of a religious community and cult.
This diabolical event has made people to confess thoughts of wanting to join similar religious groups, cults or communities online. Most of the confessions highlight a desire for social conformity as everyone around them seems to be going to a form of spiritual place called a Church. Additionally, a strong desire for economic gain and success has led people to listen to "men of God" who suggest that if they plant a seed (donate monetary tithes and offerings, material goods such as cars and land)then fast and pray aggressively they shall attain elusive economic success.
Last week I discussed Affluenza in Kenya. Affluenza is the relentless pressure to pursue, exhibit and show economic wealth in the form of material possessions such as cars, houses, job titles and schools attended. This pressure is also linked to social comparison and envy of others. The Kenyans who fail to achieve this form of success find themselves lost, desperate and easy to prey on because of discontentment and criticism by their peers and family who make comments such as "When are you going to show us progress like so and so? Wapi mjengo na shamba yako? ". Therefore, the desperately insecure perceive they need a supernatural edge in the form of smooth talking spiritual leaders who gradually and incrementally show them ways to overcome their challenges with a clear goal of manipulating them.
In contrast to the economically desperate group of Kenyans there is another group who are already economically wealthy and they meet all conditions for being economically successful such as land ownership, car and home ownership and a good educational attainment. However, they come to realise that economic wealth has not made them happy, content, fulfilled or productive. They even come to view their economic wealth as a burden because some of them have destroyed familial and social relationships in the pursuit of such wealth. They also discover that the euphoria of purchasing the first designer bags, clothes, cars and pieces of land eventually flat lines. They become prey for manipulation by spiritual leaders because the goal of ultimate happiness has not been realised by economic wealth. Therefore, they are very ready to donate their economic goods until they become extremely broke. In that brokenness they feel they are spiritually purifying themselves and furthering the ministry of God. Still, they do not achieve happiness and fulfilment.
When I first came upon the concept of self differentiation it was very disturbing for me as a young Kenyan who was already used to viewing my teachers, spiritual leaders and elders as the ultimate authorities in opinion and direction. This is because Kenya is a society with a very high power-distance and entrenched hierarchical system. A system that is instituted from the educational institutions and select Churches at a young age. In the process of learning and maturing there is greater emphasis on pleasing the teachers and authorities rather than learn how to research, have a healthy debate, critique, transform and change.
The hierarchical system contrasts very sharply with self differentiation or the differentiation of the self which I described last week as, "Can I differentiate my goals, thoughts, feelings, emotions and sentiments with those of the very loud in-groups( families, tribal groups, Churches and schools) that are rampant in African society? According to Dr Murray Bowen, a person with a well-differentiated self?can use thoughtfully acquired principles to help guide decision making about important family and social issues, making themselves less at the mercy of the feelings of the moment. In a world where the pressure of social conformity sometimes overrides the positive traits of the individual self, the act of self differentiation can transform the life of someone drastically"
As I was discovering self differentiation years ago, I started visiting a hip Church that was attracting the upwardly mobile and chic crowd in Nairobi. The first few services and meet ups were electrifying and very well orchestrated. One Saturday the Church hosted a social meet up where followers were to decide what ministries they would join and promote socially. After the pastor introduced the purpose of the event, he called upon a very beautiful young woman. She eloquently explained what she did for a living and how the Church had transformed her life because she was earning a lot of money from her new job but she was very empty inside before discovering the Church. She felt that her car was becoming an idol so she felt that God had called her to sell her new German car and donate all the proceeds to the building of the permanent Church premises.
After her very convincing presentation, the pastor delivered a well organised and structured preaching that included emotional music and persuasive power point presentations. After that, we were to donate some money for the Church building and I remember one of the people I knew in the service looking extremely uncomfortable. After a few minutes of nervous shifting, he approached me and a friend of mine." Can you guys lend me money and I will refund later? I want to donate to the Church building." My friend offered him some cash she had in her bag and then he relaxed as he had something to donate. If that is not a relentless and unnecessary pressure to exhibit economic ability(*affluenza) I do not know what is.
After the service we went for a Pizza nearby and I expected people to criticise the pastor or at least relay doubt. The only doubt that was relayed by most was insecurity that many of them could not afford to donate a car like the young 'virtuous' woman as they did not own a car, land or notable assets. They were all starting out their corporate work life and owned very humble possessions. After the hang out and service I embarked on a journey of self awareness and I was lucky enough to enrol in a solitary PhD soon after. I had more than enough time to read and research extensively on social theories and boundaries so I decided that the particular Church was not suited for me.
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Unlike the helpless Kenyans we have been reading about in the mainstream press, I walked away from the Church unharmed.
In the absence of research driven government regulations to help us understand and stop the diabolical social happenings in Kenya we are our own stewards. In the context of the safe communities we create, let us keep checking on our individual selves, friends, family and workmate colleagues as we navigate the social life of things in Kenya. Even as we hope and lobby for a more aggressive social welfare system and purpose driven Kenyan reason for living.
Some Helpful Sources
Cashman, O., & Twaite, J. A. (2009).?Toxic Wealth: How the Culture of Affluence Can Harm Us and Our Children: How the Culture of Affluence Can Harm Us and Our Children. ABC-CLIO.
James, O. (2007).?Affluenza: How to be successful and stay sane. Random House.
Nyaga, R. (2019). Influence of Dialectical Tensions between Parents and Teenagers on Academic Performance: A study of Students in Select High-cost Private Secondary Schools in Nairobi, Kenya.?Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies,?3(2), 26-44.