Former Church Leader Reveals Why He Abandoned Christian Faith for Ifa Religion

Olabanjo Felix, a pastor from Ondo State, has spoken out about his decision to leave Christianity and embrace Isese, a traditional Yoruba spiritual practice, citing the "deceit in Christianity" as the primary reason for his departure.

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Felix, who recently declared his new allegiance to Isese in a viral video, claimed that many Nigerian pastors have turned Christianity into a personal business, and that he could no longer continue in a faith that he felt was being misrepresented.

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As the founder of the now-defunct Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries in Ibaka, Oka Akoko, Felix had spent over three years as a Christian pastor before renouncing his faith and taking on the new spiritual identity of Ifawamiri Aworanolodumare, Babalawo of Ifá.

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In his video announcement, Felix expressed gratitude to his new spiritual mentor, the Araba of Isara-Remo, Olusegun Aifuwape, and his spiritual sons for guiding him on his new path.

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Felix stated that he made the public declaration to inform others that he was no longer a pastor, as people continued to address him by his former title despite his decision to stop practicing Christianity.

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According to Felix, his decision to leave Christianity was the result of a two-year "soul-searching journey" during which he became increasingly troubled by what he saw as contradictions in the Bible and deception among some Christian leaders.

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Before making his final decision, Felix consulted with several pastors in an attempt to examine his convictions, but ultimately found that he could not continue in the Christian faith.

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Felix noted that he was particularly disheartened by the lack of true biblical leadership in Nigeria, stating that aside from Pastor Gbile Akanni, he saw no genuine pastors of the Bible in the country.

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During his period of spiritual questioning, Felix even considered converting to Islam, but after consulting with a cleric and studying the Quran, he found that it too was plagued by "deceit".

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Instead, Felix turned to the traditional Yoruba practice of Ifa, drawn by the potency of herbs and roots, and began seeking out genuine Ifa priests to mentor and guide him.

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He eventually found the Araba of Isararemọ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji Aifuwapẹ, on Facebook and reached out to him about his desire to learn Ifa, and has since dedicated himself to the practice.

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Felix emphasized that his practice of Ifa is centered on prayers, supplications, and the use of herbs and roots, and not on "fetish activities" as some might perceive.

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He also revealed that foreigners from around the world visit the Ifa centre to learn about the traditional practice, and that some Christian clerics secretly consult Ifa practitioners for divination despite publicly condemning traditional religious practices.

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Felix alleged that many Christian leaders engage in deceitful behavior, using their faith to "brainwash" others, and that he has been contacted by numerous pastors seeking Ifa divination.