BY ANELA SASHA  

He was appreciated and disliked for his prosperity gospel, prophecies and healing claims, so TB Joshua’s death has taken over the online space.

Facebook groups and platforms were abuzz yesterday June 7th with the news that Televangelist Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua (TB Joshua) had passed away. At first, the circulating news was not confirmed by officials, family or officials at the church, so reactions were mixed until the official church confirmation was posted on Facebook. One response to a post announcing the death read, “Papa does not die.” Papa is the African term used to refer to a person in leadership or influence, and in this case TB Joshua occupied those roles in the Synagogue Church of all Nations, a mega church he founded in Lagos, Nigeria.

TB Joshua was known for his television channels and social media platforms which made it possible for people all over the globe to be a part of his church. The church services included performing alleged miracles such as praying for the lame to walk, the blind to see, curing HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. He was also known for his bold prophecies about events around the world and had many wondering whether he was a true or false prophet. The African press, for instance, ran with the prophecy regarding the death of a giant African President, which followers believe was then the death of former Malawian President, Bingu wa Mutharika in 2012.

He has been criticised by journalists such as Nigerian journalist Sandra Ezekwesili. Upon the news of the death, she states the ministry was toxic and did more harm than good. She speaks on the fact that a part of his teaching was to have faith in healing instead of rushing to seek medical treatment. She goes on to say it is rather hypocritical that when he got sick, he went to the hospital, which meant he did not stand in the truth of his teachings. Nigerian newspaper ‘Cable’ writes that he once had a stroke where he was airlifted from Nigeria to seek treatment in Turkey.

TB Joshua’s holy water and anointing oil are products that many purchased from the prophet for the believed effects there-of. Holy water is water that is prayed for by ‘powerful men of God,’ while anointing oil is oil that has been blessed by the same ‘powerful men of God.’ Holy water and anointing oil are not exclusive to TB Joshua’s church or beliefs as this is a belief across several churches in the continent. The water or oil can be used for various purposes depending on the intention, which includes alleged physical, mental or emotional healing, protection from evil forces, and financial abundance. Critics such as Sandra Ezekwesili believe that TB Joshua profited on such instilled congregation hope, implying that the realities or effects of the products were merely a facade.

Many of TB Joshua’s videos have been pulled down by Facebook and YouTube. One such video is where a woman is seen to be violently beaten in the name of getting rid of the forces that make her homosexual. He has been quoted and heard numerous times for uttering hate speech toward the LGBTI, which is not unusual in Africa where, in most countries, homosexuality remains a crime and spiritual sin.

In September 2014, a guest house at his church that accommodated mostly foreigners collapsed and killed more than 100 visitors. The guest house was built mostly for international guests to the church who were then in need of a place to stay for the duration of the visit. Authorities marked the tragedy as a result of the faulty structure and technical failure of the building. TB Joshua however did not accept the ruling as he strongly believed that a low flying plane that circulated the area several times blew up the building. The controversies that surrounded the collapse were met with “Do not touch my anointed ones, and do my prophets no harm” (1 Chronicles 16:22)’’ quoted by followers who defended the prophet and his church. The bible verse is mainly used in the context of discouraging people to question or criticize the anointed members of the church regardless of any opposing facts or realities.

Whether one was fond of TB Joshua or not, the fact remains the news of his passing has made the waves. Condolences in the form of visiting the church, posting condolence messages online, church vigils and prayer across the globe, show that TB Joshua was indeed one of the most popular African televangelists in modern time.