Controversy erupts as Nigerian pastor Abel Damina faces criticism for his unconventional advice on tackling pornography addiction. Damina's suggestion to consume more religious content while watching porn sparks heated debate among conservative Christians.
Popular Nigerian Pastor, Dr. Abel Damina, has ignited a firestorm of debate with his unconventional approach to combating porn addiction. During a segment on Comfort FM's Righteous Invasion of Truth (RIOT) program in Uyo, Damina offered controversial advice to those grappling with pornographic dependency.
In the video circulating on social media, Damina suggests a counterintuitive method to tackle the issue. Rather than advocating for outright cessation, he proposes a novel strategy: continue watching porn but simultaneously immerse oneself in the Word of God. According to Damina, for every hour spent indulging in pornography, individuals should allocate three to four hours to study scripture. He argues that through this method, the desire for porn will gradually diminish, replaced by a hunger for spiritual nourishment.
The pastor's remarks have polarized public opinion, especially among conservative Christians who view pornography as a grave sin. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, a prominent televangelist, rebuked Damina's approach, quoting Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 15 to emphasize the sinful nature of pornography. He asserted that God considers public nudity shameful and emphasized the need for believers to abstain from such vices completely.
Similarly, Pastor Gideon Odoma of the Fortress Ministry condemned Damina's stance, labeling pornography as a perversion and decrying attempts to trivialize it. He argued that Damina's teachings risked derailing believers from the path of righteousness and warned against condoning sinful behavior under the guise of tolerance.
Despite the criticism from conservative quarters, some individuals have come to Damina's defense, highlighting potential merits in his advice. Restoration Arena, a Facebook user, interpreted Damina's message as an encouragement for believers to relinquish the struggle against sin and instead focus on spiritual growth. Others echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of walking in the Spirit and trusting in divine intervention to overcome temptations.
However, not all responses were supportive. Many expressed deep concern over Damina's teachings, viewing them as morally and biblically misguided. Sandra Okafor, a Twitter user, cited biblical principles advocating for fleeing from evil and argued against Damina's suggestion of coexisting with sin. She emphasized the need for believers to actively distance themselves from triggers that fuel sinful behaviors, rather than seeking solace solely in scripture.
