Features
Why sell your freedom to bodyguards? Part 1
There is an established protocol for Presidents and celebrities. The rationale behind it is to protect them from potential attacks on their person.
It can be understood if a President needs Bodyguards because of the role they play and the possibility that someone may wish them harm.
Certain policies they implement could be affecting a section of the populace negatively and so it is understandable that someone may want to harm or assassinate them.
Again given the selfish nature inherent in humans, an unscrupulous Vice President also wanting to be the main man, may even hatch a plan to take out the President, hence the need for bodyguards becomes justified.
Celebrities also are an endangered species due to their being rich and therefore targets for kidnappers. It is reasonable for them to have bodyguards for protection. When a Pastor, decides to get bodyguards for protection, it definitely raises eyebrows.
We are in an era where Pastors who are supposed to be closer to God than we the church members are going for bodyguards for protection but are selling olive oil to us for use as spiritual protection.
If the oil can draw in the angels of God to protect us, why are the Pastors who brought them, do not also use them but are rather using human beings as bodyguards?
Does it make enough sense, my brother and my sister? I have been told that some even use bullet proof vehicles and you wonder what is chasing them?
They are even causing our faith in God to waver because if someone who is a representative of God, is going for bodyguards then what should I, an ordinary member who happens to be a businessman, or a nurse or a teacher? I guess I should go for double the number the Pastor has.
I am of the view that a Pastor who believes in God and does not display ostentatious lifestyle, will not fear attacks from kidnappers etc. such that he or she will be compelled to procure the services of bodyguards.
One funny thing is that, they preach to us that yea though I walk through the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, according to Psalm 23 and also they tell us for me to live is Christ and to die is gain, according to Philippians 1:21, and yet they are going with bodyguards wherever they go.
The question then is, do they believe in what they teach and preach? If you walk the straight and narrow path, not flirting with married women, not giving fake prophecies etc., I believe they will not be afraid of their own shadows.
A former Uruguayan President, is very popular in the world, especially in Uruguay and is affectionately referred to as the Poorest President. His name is Jose Mujica. This man refused to lead a life of luxury while in office.
There are many things he was entitled to but he chose to forgo the privileges due him but rather to channel those resources to execute projects for the poor in society.
It is reported that he donated 90 per cent of his salary to help the poor. When he was offered the opportunity to use a private jet, he rather asked for a helicopter to be used as a fully equipped rescue helicopter to serve his people.
During his 5 year tenure, he reduced the unemployment population by half. On retirement, he lived on a farm, in a small house, without central water supply. He attends hospital for his regular checks at a normal hospital, joining the queue like everyone.
Who in his right mind would want to harm this man? He therefore does not need bodyguards.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah