A Nigerian lady has recounted how her experience in a church choir nearly pushed her into a lifestyle she never intended to live, blaming excessive demands placed on young female members.
According to her, she joined the choir shortly after secondary school out of a passion for singing. However, she soon realised the group imposed constant requirements, including multiple uniforms, shoes, and accessories for different services.
Pressure from church demands
The lady said the pressure to always appear aesthetically pleasing became overwhelming, particularly for members from humble backgrounds. She alleged that many young girls in the choir resorted to unhealthy means to meet these demands, while those who couldn’t afford the items were sidelined, humiliated, and treated as irrelevant.
Withdrawal from choir
Disturbed by the environment and its impact on her mental well-being, she eventually withdrew from the choir and returned to the congregation, despite facing gossip and backlash. She warned young people to be cautious of religious spaces that prioritise appearance over welfare, stressing that no one should feel pressured into compromising their values to fit in.
Her words
“Church nearly turned me into a runs girl. I was this close… because of what? Church. I joined the choir innocently because I love singing, but they were so demanding. We had different clothes for different Sunday services, multiple uniforms, shoes, and accessories. Most of my mates turned to a low life trying to meet these demands.
“I caught myself before it got too far. I decided to leave the choir and focus on the congregation. They gossiped about me, but I realised my conscience wouldn’t allow me to compromise my values. Church should not push young girls to extremes for appearances.”
She added that the church’s focus on aesthetics often overshadowed the well-being of its members, with cliques forming among those who could afford to comply with the demands.
