Nigerian media personality and social critic, Daddy Freeze, known for his bold takes on religious practices, has once again stirred controversy with his comments on tithing.
In a recent online video, Freeze, whose real name is Ifedayo Olarinde, condemned the practice of tithing, likening it to internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo” in Nigeria.
His remarks come just days after he issued a public apology to Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), for previous comments he made criticizing the respected cleric on the same subject.
In his latest video, Freeze boldly declared, “Only fools pay tithes, and thieves collect them,” reigniting the debate over the religious obligation of tithing, a practice observed in many Christian denominations.
According to Freeze, while offerings are an essential part of Christian charity intended to support the needy, tithing is, in his opinion, a fraudulent act exploited by some religious leaders to enrich themselves. He further accused pastors who collect tithes of engaging in deceit, comparing it to the notorious “Yahoo Yahoo” internet scam.
Daddy Freeze has long been a vocal critic of certain Christian doctrines, particularly those relating to tithing. His stance against the practice has drawn both support and criticism from different quarters. He has consistently argued that tithing, which traditionally involves giving 10% of one’s income to the church, has no basis in modern Christianity and is used by some pastors to manipulate and exploit their followers.
In his video, Freeze emphasized that the act of paying tithes, in his view, is unnecessary and misguided. He reiterated his belief that offerings, on the other hand, should be used for charitable purposes, particularly in helping the less fortunate, rather than funding the extravagant lifestyles of pastors.
“Tithes are not meant for the church or its pastors. The money given as tithes should be channeled to helping the poor, not for church expenses,” Freeze stated. He further urged his followers to rethink their approach to religious giving, stressing that true Christian charity lies in assisting the needy, not enriching church leaders.
The Apology to Pastor Adeboye
This latest video follows a recent apology that Freeze offered to Pastor E.A. Adeboye, after previously accusing the revered pastor of misleading his congregation about tithing. In the viral apology, Freeze admitted that he may have overstepped in his critique and apologized for any offense his words may have caused to Pastor Adeboye and his followers.
However, despite the public apology, Freeze has continued to express his dissatisfaction with the way tithing is handled in many Nigerian churches. He maintains that while his apology to Pastor Adeboye was sincere, it does not change his position on the issue of tithing, which he believes is fundamentally flawed.
“I apologized for the manner in which I addressed Pastor Adeboye, but my stance on tithing remains the same,” Freeze stated in his latest video. “Tithing as it’s practiced today is not in line with biblical teachings, and I will continue to speak out against it.”
Tithing is a common practice in many Christian denominations around the world, including Nigeria, where many churches encourage their members to give 10% of their income as a tithe. This practice is often seen as an expression of faith and commitment to God, with many believing that it brings blessings and financial prosperity.
However, critics like Daddy Freeze argue that tithing has become a tool for financial exploitation, with some pastors using it to enrich themselves at the expense of their congregants. Freeze has often pointed out the lavish lifestyles of some religious leaders as evidence that tithing is being misused.
“Tithing has been commercialized in a way that benefits only the pastors. These men of God fly private jets and live in mansions, while their followers struggle to make ends meet,” Freeze stated in his video. He added that followers should instead focus on helping the needy directly rather than giving money to the church in the form of tithes.
As expected, Freeze’s remarks have sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. While some have supported his views, agreeing that tithing is outdated and often misused, others have condemned him for disrespecting religious leaders and questioning long-held Christian traditions.
One Twitter user wrote, “Daddy Freeze is right. Why should I give 10% of my hard-earned money to the church when there are so many poor people around me who need help?” Another user, however, countered, “Tithing is an act of faith, and it’s between you and God. Daddy Freeze has no right to tell people how to practice their religion.”
Despite the mixed reactions, Daddy Freeze’s critique of tithing continues to gain traction, especially among younger Nigerians who are increasingly questioning religious practices that they see as exploitative.
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