Gloria Oloruntobi, Nigerian comedienne better known as Maraji, has stirred up a hornets‘ nest on social media after she made a sensitive statement concerning religion.
The content creator had taken to her Instagram story to share a meme which carries her opinion “on the only way to heaven”.
“There is only one way to heaven, no Allah, no Buddha, no Krishna, no evolution, only Jesus,” the meme read.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one come to the father, except through me. John 14:6.”
The statement appeared to have emanated from a conversation with a user who sought to know if “we actually worship the same God.”
“Not trying to offend anyone but the truth is offensive,” she wrote.
The post was shared on Sunday, while Muslims celebrated the Eid-al-Adha festival also known as the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’.
Her comment has, however, provoked differing reactions among Nigerians on social media platforms, especially on Twitter, where it is currently top of trends.
While a segment of users defended her for “sharing her religious beliefs”, others condemned her for “picking the biggest day in the Muslim calendar to post that”.
“Maraji is a terrible human. She had to pick the biggest day in the Muslim calendar to post that. Do you know that could incite crimes & genocide against humanity? especially in Nigeria where there’s Christian-Muslim strife. 50 people killed themselves in Kaduna not too long ago,” a Twitter user said.
“Maraji is an Instagram comedian. This means her IG account is her office. Imagine your neighbourhood supermarket telling you over the loudspeaker on Eid that Jesus is the only way (or on Easter, that he isn’t). I follow her on Twitter for her jokes, not her opinions,” another user said.
Here is what some Nigerians had to say:
Maraji is a terrible human. She had to pick the biggest day in the Muslim calendar to post that. Do you know that could incite crimes & genocide against humanity? especially in Nigeria where there’s Christian-Muslim strife. 50 people killed themselves in Kaduna not too long ago.
— PEREZ (@__perez94) August 12, 2019
Maraji is an Instagram comedian.
This means her IG account is her office.Imagine your neighbourhood supermarket telling you over loudspeaker on Eid that Jesus is the only way (or on Easter, that he isn't).
I follow her on Twitter for her jokes, not her opinions.
— Chief orwelliANDYstopia (@andyRoidO) August 12, 2019
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I've relocated several times and attended many churches & Christian schools. They all say Muslims worship false gods.
I've also read Muslim literature just for the fun of it. They also say Christians worship false gods.
Let's stop pretending to be shocked at what Maraji said.
— Mazi Marvin the Paranoid Android (@Boboye_Ak) August 12, 2019
I love Maraji, but this is quite offensive. I mean, she can preach about Christianity & Jesus without slamming other religions. She can win souls through the right preachings. Let people practice what they strongly believe in. At the end, it’s only God that can be the judge. pic.twitter.com/dAIcxDwXoP
— Ada (@mzADApearl) August 12, 2019
Just seeing this on Maraji’s page, and in as much as it might just be her personal opinion, I must say the mentality is actually shallow. This is why I still say Christians are largely misguided. pic.twitter.com/tys2mluXRI
— Cross˚ (@Elcrucifixio) August 12, 2019
Preach the Word of God in season and out of season.
Maraji preached the Gospel. The gospel doesnt have a particular day for it to be preached and not be preached.
If you say Maraji is wrong then you saying it's wrong for Christians to preach the Gospel.
— TREND KING🔥🔥 (@Itz_Konani) August 12, 2019
Imagine not being able to talk about Jesus because "you're a public figure" and it would be insensitive to your fans. Y'all are canceling Maraji for the same thing the jews cancelled Jesus for. He is the son of God, he died and rose on the third day, he is God
— Irene Momoh (@i_foya) August 12, 2019
Maraji shared her Christian beliefs. Don't y'all use your religions to be homophobic? This is where you draw the line? Lmaooo!
Christianity teaches that only Jesus is the true way to God. If you have issues with it, now you know what religious chauvinism feels like.
— Uncle Faisal (@JajaPhD) August 12, 2019
The Christians roasting Maraji are the most stupid set of people on this planet. I can’t even believe this.
If you can’t stand for Christ at all times because it’s a “sensitive” topic then are you even a Christian?— Olori👑 (@OloriOfOloris) August 12, 2019
I, a Muslim am not angry at what maraji said then why are you, a non Muslim angry?
Remember that people are also entitled to their opinion.— 🌸L A D E🌸 (@jolaadeidris) August 12, 2019
Lastly, as y'all want to cancel Maraji, don't forget to cancel your Bible and your preacher in church. Shalom 💖
— Ndi Bewitching Ogbanje 🧞♀️🧚🏾♀️ (@hecallsmemilan) August 12, 2019
I hope Maraji speaking about her religious belief doesn't upset your woke sensitivities. What she said wasn't disrespectful. Not everything should be outrage. We all can't see the world the same way.
— Ayomide Tayo (@AOT2) August 12, 2019
Thinking what Maraji said is offensive is like saying being a Christian is offensive, no one should be offended. If a Muslim says what they believe in and that they don’t believe in Jesus I wouldn’t be offended because we cannot all believe in the same things.
— Ifeoluwadamisi💕 (@JireAgbetunsin) August 12, 2019
I woke up & saw Maraji trending & I thought oh wow, new video for me to watch/laugh. Only to see her trending for this, well honestly IDC what she thinks. As Muslims, we believe in Jesus as the prophet of Allah not son of GOD, we believe we're going to Jannah😍 so na she sabi fam pic.twitter.com/VpwlMCclVg
— AbdulJabbar 🌚🌚 (@_ajay_69) August 12, 2019
Maraji is trending for basically reminding people of the foundation of Christian belief….. And in extension the foundation of all religions that theirs is the only way. This outrage is exactly why I became a part of no religion, it's all inherited anyway.
— Nigeria based photographer (@thekashope) August 12, 2019
Many Christians believe Muslims are going to hell.
Many Muslims believe Christians are going to hell.Y’all should stop pretending to be shocked that Maraji said what she said. Might be insensitive but that’s her belief and that of many other people too.
— Mayowa olagunju (@iam_doctormayor) August 12, 2019
*Religious Twitter having a meltdown cause of Maraji's comments*
Atheist Twitter: pic.twitter.com/V9MNHC3194
— Tega🔥 (@ehtega_) August 12, 2019
Girl is a Christian and she's being a Christian… I wouldn't be offended if a Muslim says other wise in preaching the gospel, the Word has been there for thousands of years but you chose to bash Maraji because she's a celebrity? Nah, leave the poor girl alone
♥ pic.twitter.com/eJZ6v5cElu— Sugar Daddy (@yitsugee) August 12, 2019
When Maraji is denied Heaven because of a single foolish and needless instagram post.. pic.twitter.com/veLasbVhmf
— MASTERPIECE👌 (@AdekunleAyan) August 12, 2019
Maraji let out her opinion and people aren't having it, she doesn't have to seek validations from anyone to do that.
Now the issue is "Wrong opinion" or "Wrong Timing"? pic.twitter.com/tSingTY5ks— 𝙷𝙾𝙴𝚕𝚘𝚢𝚎 𝙰𝚢𝚘! 🍆🍑💦 (@HoeAyo) August 12, 2019
So i just saw this on Maraji’s story and it really rubbed me off the wrong way.
Why is it so impossible for some Christians to fathom the idea that theirs is not the only way?? pic.twitter.com/Bgo3xc6vv6— Iyorah Obehi Desirée (@Desireeiyorah) August 12, 2019
Maraji! Said what she said! She aired her own opinion.
Muslims : There's no other God except Allah!
And nothing happened!Now a fellow Christian aired her own! It's now a problem! Tf People! #mondaythoughts pic.twitter.com/1TwyB0xqtx
— Nigerian based photographer 📸🇳🇬🇱🇷🇿🇦🇺🇸 (@kali_Editz) August 12, 2019
I do not dispute or contend with Maraji over her post, but one thing I ve learnt is:
Religion is a very sensitive issue in Nigeria
therefore
as much as possible
I stay away from throwing out my opinion into an uncontrolled public space.
We could have One on One conversation pic.twitter.com/ns3TKiunX1— Comrade 🔴🇳🇬 (@iAGB4REAL) August 12, 2019
While @Maraji_ is entitled to her belief that all religions other than Christianity are false, she’s insensitive to her fans in that regard. We all believe our religion is THE answer, but there’s wisdom in knowing how to deal with a diverse society, especially as a public figure.
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) August 12, 2019
Everyday on radio, Muslims reiterate their quote saying 'There is no other God except Allah', did anybody dispute that 🤷♂️? No! But Maraji aired her own opinion yesterday and y'all are vexing 🤣
Idiats! pic.twitter.com/Gxbz90nDi5
— Ethical 🇳🇬 (@walecoker65) August 12, 2019
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