Explainer: When observed religion becomes a cult and where to draw the line

The harrowing story of followers of a Malindi-based Pastor starving themselves to death in order to 'meet their maker' has caught the country by storm.

Pastor Paul Mackenzie, the founder of Good News International Church has been at the center of a national conversation, after the deaths of 90 people in Shakahola Forest in Malindi, Kilifi County were linked to his church and beliefs.

First outed last month when two children died, behavior akin to cultism would later be pegged on Mackenzie's church almost two weeks later-when four other people including two children died.

The four starved to death after Mackenzie instructed them to fast, supposedly to save them from an imminent "painful death in the world".

Mackenzie, a taxi driver turned pastor, founded Good News International Church in 2003 and set up branches in Nairobi and Coast regions, attracting over 3000 worshippers.

The self-styled spiritual leader, who was once a controversial televangelist, had urged his followers to forego all earthly things and encouraged them to starve themselves to death so that they can reach heaven faster.

In less than a week, authorities have discovered over 58 graves in a farm believed to belong to the church members where more than 90 bodies have been exhumed.

This has since raised questions within and without the country on the place of the church in all the disarray.

Religion Vs Cultism

Religion is described as the belief in a god or gods and the activities that are connected with this belief, while a cult is described as a fairly small religious group, especially one which is considered strange.

Reuben Kigame, a teacher of Apologetics and Philosophy avers that religion is a system of beliefs and practices by human beings to a supernatural entity, whereas, a cult is a religious group that is often centered around the charismatic teachings of a religious leader which deviates from mainstream faith.

Seeing as both religion and cultism have some similarities, the question of when religion becomes a cult arises.

According to Kigame, when the holy books are replaced by personal opinions and visions, it becomes a cult.

"When people start to follow individuals instead of God and they conduct their businesses in secrecy and seclusive behavior, then that becomes a cult. What we are witnessing with Paul Mackenzie is what I would refer to as 'doomsday cult' because it uses religious teachings and practices to swindle faithful members and kill them," Kigame told The Standard.

Human behavior

Psychosocial Counsellor Fiona Atieno agrees with Kigame. Atieno believes people who join a religious cult are usually seeking answers and something to believe in. But as they do, rogue 'religious' men and women use that as a conduit to advance their own selfish reasons.

"Different things can lead individuals to become victims of false prophecy. To start with, identifying and belonging to a religious group or institution is the norm, so people will either explore or continue with what was established in their family or community setup. Secondly, when one is desperate, churches offer hope in the form of testimonies and orchestrated deliverances such that most Christians will run to church instead of seeking other solutions for their problems."

As the country wraps heads around the killings in Shakahola, Dr. Godfrey Agaya, a Psychosocial Counsellor argues that people should not be quick to judge Mackenzie's victims who fasted to 'meet Jesus.'

"People are in search of the truth and most of the time they will believe anything that appeals to their emotions or future. No one is perfect. As religion provides a universal solution, people like Mackenzie have used it to exploit and brainwash their followers," Dr. Agaya says.

Time to regulate churches?

The recent happenings have ignited the debate on whether churches should be regulated.

The Standard reported that in 2015, the government came up with laws requiring clerics to submit certificates of good conduct and their theological training certificates.

Dubbed Religious Societies Regulations 2015, the rules, aimed at regulating religious bodies required that all pastors must hold a theological certificate from an accredited theological institution.

"More should be done to regulate, not just churches, but all religious groups. I think religious groups should form a vetting body to determine who should be registered and who should not. The government should also keep off religious groups' affairs in line with the constitution so that cult leaders do not go to bed with the government and avoid prosecution," Kigame noted.

Does Paul Mackenzie have a case to answer?

On Monday, April 24, President William Ruto likened Mackenzie to a terrorist who is using religion to advance his heinous acts.

A day after the president's statement, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki assured Kenyans that the pastor will be charged with various criminal offenses including genocide, terrorism, and radicalization.

Mackenzie, who is in police custody, still insists that he has no case to answer and that his church has been dysfunctional since 2019.

Constitutional Lawyer Charles Kanjama says given the evidence and terms laid bare so far, Paul Mackenzie's case cannot be based on religion.

"With the Mackenzie issue, it's not about religion or church. These are normal offenses that anyone can be charged with. In the Constitution under the Penal Code, one can be charged if they intentionally or recklessly causes someone else to suffer," lawyer Charles Kanjama argues.

Human rights groups have also been vocal about the murders, terming what is being witnessed wrong and that Mackenzie and his aides should face the law.

Amnesty International Executive Director Irungu Houghton said: "The Constitution allows freedom of worship as long as it is not used to harm or violate other people's rights. The Constitution is very clear and Paul Mackenzie and his allies have a case to answer."