Popular Nigerian singer, Folarin Falana has opened up about his decision not to attend church services.
Popularly called Falz, the singer said he arrived at the decision as a result of undue pressure put on him by pastors during services.
He said, “I’m not an atheist. I believe there is a God. But I believe in spirituality over religion.”
Falz’s mother, Funmi Falana, had complained about his persistence absence from church services, after his 2019 debut album was released.
“Folarin, you don’t go to church and I am bothered. I hope you would start going to church this year,” Funmi said.
However, Falz said in an interview on Silverbird TV;
“I have nothing against the church or going to church. Everyone has the right to practice the religion they desire. It has been a while that I have been to church. It does not make me less of a Christian.
“The reason is that I went to a few churches and, during sermons, I was put under undue pressure. There was a time that a pastor called me to the altar just to acknowledge my presence for being in church.
“In my mind, I felt that the service was not about me. I felt that everybody was there to worship God, yet they were putting undue pressure on me. The pastor gave me the microphone to address the congregation and I was puzzled; what did he expect me to say to the congregation?”
On the criticisms that trailed the release of the album, Falz said:
“My songs are always going to be heard. The world is a lot smaller now; it only takes one post and it’s everywhere regardless of the attempts by powers that be to try to stop stuff here and there.”
“If you’re making this kind of music, you have to always be ready for the worst. Of course, ‘This is Nigeria’ was banned. We’re still in court. But I have my fundamental rights so you can’t really stop that regardless of what body you are.”
