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Jehovah’s Witnesses have condemned wrong widowhood practices as unscriptural. Speaking on the theme “The Truth Sets Us Free From … False Beliefs” at the ‘God’s Word Is Truth!’ District Convention holding at Ota, Ogun State, Ransom Ekpo condemned the practice in some cultures where a wife is forced to drink water used to bath her late husband to prove her innocence or appease his spirit.

He blamed such degraded practices on the false belief that the dead is still conscious and could be appeased. He, however, noted that Jehovah’s servants “are free from the fear of the dead,” quoting Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, where the Bible states that “the dead are conscious of nothing.”

Ekpo, who spoke Friday on the opening day of Ota 2 of the convention series, also faulted the theory of evolution as another false teaching, just as he pointed to hellfire and trinity as as unbiblical. He urged Christians not to allow themselves to be confused by the promoters of such false teachings.

Apart from Ota, conventions would also hold in English and local languages in several other Nigerian cities until December 22. The cities include Agbor, Akabo, Akure, Awi, Badagry, Benin City, Daluwon, Enugu, Igwuruta Ali, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Nko, Ilesa, Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna, Katsina Ala, Kwali, Lekki, Makurdi, Mgboko Umuoria, Okitipupa, Oyede, Sokoto, Ubogo, Uli, Uzuakoli and Zaria.

A statement by the News Service Department of the Convention Organisation said: “Everyone who is interested is invited to attend. Seating is free and there is no collection of any sort.”

•Photo by Chris Nkwocha shows part of the audience at the 2013 convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses at Ota.

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