Thread by @harrydaniyan

I get a lot of feedbacks & DMs on my threads.
These feedbacks make me realize many people probably think my views & submissions are weird, eccentric & controversial.
I can understand that: I AM controversial!
But so was Jesus Christ.
I hate tradition as much as He does...

I hate being told WHAT to do, without being told WHY.
I hate being lorded over like a slave.
I hate manipulation & control.
I didn't become controversial: I was BORN controversial.

In this part of the globe, we are wired to be obedient to "Constituted Authority"...

From the family setting, to school, to workplace, to Church- we're wired to "respect" elders.
This respect demands we don't question whatever they do.
Unfortunately, I don't have such genes in me.
Sorry- na so dem born me!
So I ask questions.
I challenge the status quo.
Why?
Why?

This has gotten me into so many troubles.
But it has also gotten me to where I am today.
I remember when I gained admission into the university.
I wanted to register for my course & I was refused!
I asked why.
Registration officer said, "You haven't paid your SAA dues!"

I asked what SAA is.
"Student Architects Association", he replied.
When you pay your SAA dues, you come with the receipt- then I will register you, boy!"
I calmly replied him: "No, sir. I will NOT pay any SAA dues- & you WILL register me.
I am NOT a member of SAA...

I can't remember ever joining any cult by that name. My admission is UNCONDITIONAL, sir. JAMB never told me I have to join a cult BEFORE I can register for a course I was admitted for in this University..." I showed him my Admission Letter.
"But if you insist I'm a member...

I hereby terminate my membership!"
I brought out a sheet of paper & wrote a Letter of Termination of Membership of SAA & handed it over to him.
He got confused.
Apparently, no student had ever done that, until he met Haruna Daniels.
I handed my documents to him:
REGISTER ME, SIR!

If you still refuse, you will hear from my lawyers! I will take this to the University Senate, I will go to the Supreme Court if necessary!

Guess what?
I was registered.
I didn't pay any dues to SAA.
Other students asked how I did it.
I told them I challenged it.
Simple!

That was in 1984.
3 months to my 16th birthday!
You see, I've been controversial for a very looooong time.
As I submitted earlier, na so dem born me:
Na follow-come, not Belgium, not Tokunbo.

I NEVER do things just because "everybody is doing it"
I am a non-conformist....

So, when I became a Christian in 1987, I carried same "rebellious" nature into it.
I question everything in Church!
It made loads of pastors uncomfortable.
I realized a lot of what is done in churches are simply religious rituals & traditions of men, not SCRIPTURAL DOCTRINES...

But because people hate rocking the boat, nobody says anything.
But not me.
I asked questions!

Why should I close our eyes to pray?
Why should I make the sign of the cross?
Why should I go for vigils (are night prayers more potent than day prayers?)?
Why should I kneel to pray?

Why am I welcomed "into the presence of the Lord" when I go to Church? Isn't He omnipresent again? Was I coming from the presence of Satan?
Questions!

It made me very unpopular amongst Pastors in those days.
They called me "Troubler of Israel"!
But I understand why...

I asked too many questions they could not answer, they couldn't manipulate & control me.
I was very independent minded!
"NO!" was the easiest word for me to say.

I once attended a church in Abuja.
A pastor from Lagos preached one Sunday.
When he was done, my pastor got up...

He said, "That was a wonderful message! How many of you were blessed?"
Hands went up.
"Now, my friend is a very anointed man of God- one of God's generals of our generation! He is also a great author.
He brought 200 copies of his latest book here- it's just N1K per copy...

I want you to buy all.
He shouldn't go back to Lagos with any."
Just then, Pastor had a brainwave!
"I want the 20 Big Boys in Church to buy the book for N5K per copy! You Big Boys know yourselves: please stand up!"
About 8 stood up.
Pastor cajoled a bit more- another 7 joined...

The he said, "The remaining 5 don't want to stand up, abi? Ok! I'll point you out. When I do, stand!"
He pointed to me.
"Architect, stand up!"
"No sir", I responded.
He was shocked.
Architect, what did you say?
"I'm not standing up sir."
Why?
"I'm not buying the book for 5k sir."

There were several ooooohs & aaaaahs in the auditorium.
"Ok, architect. How much will you buy it?
"I'm not buying it AT ALL sir."
Why?
"Why? Because it's MY money, sir- not yours. I decide how it's spent, not you."
Church went wild!
You'd think I committed blasphemy...

A few weeks later, I asked one of the "Big Boys" who bought what the book was about.
"I never read am, abeg!"
"So, why did you buy it?" I asked.
"Harry, how I no go buy? No be everybody craze like you nau!"

I loved his response!
I was happy I was known to be a non-conformist!

I can give you dozens of such encounters I've had with pastors & churches for the past 33 years.
My point is, being a "Rebel" is what basically inspires my threads.
If you understand that, probably those who respond to me, challenging my position will stop doing so...

Like the Big Boy said, "No be everybody craze like me!"
Jesus was called such in His lifetime too.

Now, I read the scriptures voraciously.
I've mentioned here often, I read Genesis to Revelations in 4 months (If you read 10 chapters a day- 5 morning, 5 night- you will)...

That's the entire Bible 3 times a year.
Been doing this for over 30 years.
I guess my Christian experience is more about personal development than following pastors.
Most of what I know today, I learned from study of the Word.

I'm a very unconventional & irreligious Christian...

So, when you understand where I'm coming from, You will understand my threads & stories better: My motivation is to provoke people to be less dependent on church & pastor & more interested in personal growth.

That is what work for me & I can't teach anything else.
Sorry...

My motto is, "Take the path that opposes tradition & you will ALWAYS meet with success."

I understand we're all wired differently, but
I think if more folks try this, this planet will be a stress-less, pressure-less, much better & fun place to live!

Shalom.
Haruna Daniels.
😇