The gifting of brassieres to female church members who came to church braless by a Nigerian Cleric, Evangelist Isaac Josiah has turned instant social media rave over morality and religious doctrines.
The gesture by the lead pastor of Reclaimers Ministry in Benin City, described “indecent dressing as unacceptable”, has ignited debate among social media bees.
A footage of the drama involving a Benin-based Cleric, seen in a Facebook video from a September 14 service distributing brassieres, wrappers, pyjamas, and similar garments.
According to Tribune, Josiah who told ushers to hand the items to women whose appearance he considered inappropriate, said the move was aimed at discouraging distractions during worship in the clip.
Addressing worshippers in the church, Evangelist Josiah, directed ushers to shield breastfeeding mothers if their cleavage was exposed.
He said, “those days when a believer told you, ‘It’s twelve o’clock, it’s twelve o’clock,’ it was because of the heart. Heart posture: if you have the right heart, you won’t wear something to seduce people in the church. Where are the ushers? Bring my apparatus.
“Brother Osase, Eric, and Chimere, you are at the door. From today, any girl who enters this church and we see her nipple, we will give her a bra and say, ‘We have discovered that you can’t afford a bra. So, on behalf of the church, we give you this’.
“If we can’t change you in this church, look for another church. Look at me, I’m a young man. I want to make heaven.
“Somebody called us last week and said a guy came to church and was distracted. People come from their homes to church, looking for where God will help them.
“If you give any sister whose nipple is showing a bra and she refuses, call her and ask, ‘How much is a tricycle to your house?’ So, Brother Eric, Osase and Chimere, on behalf of the church, we ordain you as our disciplinarians from today”.
According to the Cleric, “If God blesses you (Brother Eric, Osase, Chimere) now, we need the bras in different sizes. God will bless the ushering team.
“Also, if someone comes to church wearing a bra but her outfit is not decent, give her this white cloth. We are looking for angels in our church.
“When you leave your house in a mini skirt and start adjusting it in church, or you (a man) leave home without a belt, just call them and give them this white pyjama.
“Many pastors will not tell you what I am telling you. If we can’t change you in this church, look for another church.
“When we praise God and jump like this, a brother will say, ‘I want to praise God, but my manhood is reacting, how do I praise God?’ What some brothers have fallen in love with in this church are breasts and buttocks.
“They don’t love the girl; what they are looking at is not real”, he said while criticising who sang trousers or expose underwear and cleavages in church, warning that such conduct would no longer be tolerated.
“We have serious issues with the people. When you come to church and your tight back is showing, or, as a guy, you enter church without a belt, we will buy one for you.
“We will buy belts next week. Just tell them, ‘Brothers, come. We made this special for you to wear. You’re a Reclaimer. Use this to reclaim the world.’ For some mothers here, their breasts are for their husbands and their children.
“If they come to church with their breasts exposed, cover them with this wrapper. If they want to use a handkerchief, say no it can’t cover it and tell them we have a wrapper for them.
“We are serious about this decision. I’m not joking. If I see such a thing again, I will not take it easy, because we’re raising disciplined people”, he enthused.
