Gabola Church in South Africa: You can pray and drink alcohol at the same time

• Gabola Church in South Africa: You can pray and drink alcohol at the same time

"Pray to our Lord and pass the glass" - is the motto of the newly-made church, situated on the outskirts of Johannesburg. This church is called Gabola, which translated to the local language means "drinking." The popularity of this church is simply stunning - the new parishioners are appearing every day. And the thing is that the church Gabola not only prohibits drinking alcoholic beverages during the service, but even encourages it.

Africa has recently become a place where new religions appear with surprising regularity. Invention locals no end: it is worth remembering how recently became known story of "priest" which parishioners sprinkled "holy" mosquito spray, forced them to drink motor oil and "consulted" with God on the phone. But in the church Gabola, despite her absolute innocence and insolence, is what is really popular with the locals.

Priest newly-Church is a local Tsietsi Makita (Tsietsi Makiti). All the accusations that the church, and alcohol are incompatible, he condemns, arguing that the church can not condemn drinking alcohol, but it also condemns the drunks or just drunk people, for whom the Church has always closed the door obtained. If a good parishioner, who believes in God and lives according to the commandments, but just occasionally drink a glass or two, but even if they drink a lot, but is it a reason to make him an outcast in the church? Unable to deal with the canons of the church, Tsietsi came to the conclusion that we should just create my own church, where everyone will be happy drinkers.

"Those who are called drunkards, come to our church - said Tsietsi -. This is the place where people can get together to discuss our Lord and nobody is not condemned for what they drink alcohol I just want to. to say that we have a safe place where no one is condemned. "

Interestingly, the Tsietsi founded his church Gabola just two months ago, and it already has 500 parishioners and more than 2,000 people decided to be baptized in this church. Why so much? Tsietsi invented quite simple and at the same time is incredibly popular in the local community a way to attract people: he offered to baptize using the alcoholic beverage, which parishioner soul. If you like beer, and the baptism will take place with the use of beer. Like cider or wine? Be prepared that you do not just sprinkle water, and exactly what you like.

Moreover, Tsietsi receives invitations to open these churches all over the country. "This church also prays for your favorite alcoholic beverages before the service. If our taverns attended by more than God, we would be able to experience firsthand how the word of God saves people from committing crimes and helping people find love in your heart." And the Tsietsi knows what he is talking about. At the church meeting point Gabola take place in one of the local taverns, and the owner is extremely pleased with this neighborhood. "As soon as the church appear, the number of crimes and problems has decreased dramatically, and the people at the same time has increased," - says the owner of the tavern. However, in the church Gabola services are not open to all. "We can not allow women to appear on our services, because we can not yet be fully confident in our congregation after they drink they are not ready yet We need more time to build up their good behavior, -.. Says Tsietsi -. Children, too, are not allowed Even if they send the parents, we simply send them back. ".