RELIGIOUS HYPOCRISY IN MONGO BETI’S THE POOR CHRIST OF BOMBA AND LAW IKAY EZEH’S YOUR CHURCH MY SHRINE

ABSTRACT

Religious hypocrisy is an odious act that has eaten deep into our society. This essay examines the perception of hypocrisy among religious leaders. It shows how these leaders beguile and mislead people for their personal gains. It makes use of the qualitative research method to carry out the textual analysis of the novels as it helps expose the feelings, attitudes and perceptions of the writers. Mongo Beti and Law Ikay Ezeh demonstrate the artistic depiction of hypocrisy by religious leaders in our society. Certain characters in the novels such as Fr. Drumont, Pastor Jeremiah Isaac and Pastor Satin Agwayi are seen as leaders who are religious hypocrites. Hence, this essay elaborates on the duplicitous nature of these religious leaders and how they exploit women.