By Victor Raul Puobabangna Plance from Eggu in the Upper West Region
In a world dominated by social media, where every action is documented and broadcast for public consumption, the concept of spirituality has taken on a highly performative nature. Every day, timelines are flooded with posts of prayers, carefully curated scripture quotes, and images of people attending church services or mosques. On the surface, this seems like a positive trend, a testament to humanity’s yearning for a connection with the divine. But as you dig deeper, you often uncover a troubling truth: many of these displays of piety are nothing more than facades, masking a reality riddled with hypocrisy and double standards.
Both the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur’an teach us that faith is not just about rituals and proclamations but about embodying values such as love, humility, kindness, honesty, and justice in every aspect of life. True spirituality is meant to transform us from within, guiding our interactions with others and inspiring us to make the world a better place. Yet, many who claim to serve God fall far short of this ideal, engaging in behaviours that starkly contradict the teachings of their faith.
As Jesus said in Matthew 15:8, “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Similarly, the Qur’an warns in Surah Al-Ma’un 107:4-7, “Woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayer, those who only show off and refuse to give even small assistance.” These verses serve as a sobering reminder that outward displays of devotion mean nothing if they are not backed by genuine faith and righteous living.
Social media has become a hub for what I call “performative spirituality.” You see individuals who post Bible verses, share videos of themselves praying, or upload pictures from church or mosque, often accompanied by captions extolling their unwavering faith. At first glance, these actions seem harmless, even commendable. But a closer look reveals that for many, this is less about serving God and more about seeking validation from others.
These same individuals are often the ones using their platforms to insult others, spread malicious gossip, or promote divisive rhetoric. Hidden behind the anonymity of fake accounts or emboldened by the impersonal nature of online communication, they engage in behaviour that is anything but holy. Political discussions, for example, are a breeding ground for this hypocrisy. People who claim to be devout Christians or Muslims are often the loudest voices in spewing hate, promoting violence, or ridiculing those who disagree with them.
How can someone post a scripture about love and forgiveness in the morning and then use the same platform to attack and demean others in the afternoon? This behaviour is not only contradictory but deeply damaging, both to the individuals themselves and to the faith they claim to represent. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
The double standards extend beyond the digital world into everyday life. Many who claim to be spiritual or religious are dishonest in their dealings, disrespectful to others, and quick to judge. They cheat in business, discriminate against people from other tribes or religions, and show no empathy for the less fortunate. They preach love but practice hate, demand forgiveness but refuse to forgive, and call for justice while perpetuating injustice.
The Holy Bible is clear in its condemnation of such behaviour: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). Similarly, the Qur’an reminds us in Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13, “Indeed, We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.”
Tribalism, racism, and religious intolerance are some of the most glaring examples of this hypocrisy. How often do we see people who claim to serve God looking down on others because of their tribe or skin color? How often do they ostracise those who belong to a different faith, forgetting that we are all created by the same God?
Serving God is not about public displays of devotion. It is not about how many scriptures you post, how often you attend church or mosque, or how loudly you proclaim your faith. True spirituality is reflected in how you treat others, especially those who cannot repay your kindness. It is about being honest in your dealings, showing compassion to the vulnerable, and standing up for what is right, even when it is inconvenient.
The Bible warns us in Romans 14:12, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” The Qur’an echoes this sentiment in Surah Az-Zalzalah 99:7-8: “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” God sees beyond appearances. He knows the intentions of our hearts and will judge us accordingly.
To those who have fallen into the trap of hypocrisy, it is not too late to change. Faith is not a static state but a journey of growth and self-improvement. Align your actions with your beliefs, and let your life be a testament to God’s love and grace.
One of the greatest tragedies of hypocrisy is how it fuels division. Tribalism, racism, and religious intolerance are not just social issues; they are spiritual failures. They go against everything that the Bible and the Qur’an teach about unity, equality, and mutual respect. As Nelson Mandela wisely said, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.”
Faith should unite, not divide. It should inspire us to see the humanity in others, regardless of their tribe, race, or religion. This is the essence of true spirituality: to love unconditionally, to forgive freely, and to work tirelessly for justice and peace.
The world does not need more people who pretend to serve God; it needs people who genuinely embody His teachings. Let us strive to be authentic in our faith, letting our actions speak louder than our words. Let us break down the barriers of discrimination and hypocrisy, inspiring others to embrace a spirituality that uplifts, unites, and transforms lives.
As you reflect on your own spiritual journey, remember this: God is not impressed by outward displays of piety. He is looking at your heart, your actions, and your intentions. Be the kind of person who makes the world a better place, not through words but through deeds. After all, as the old adage goes, “Your actions speak so loudly, I can’t hear what you’re saying.”
