According to her, this is one of the other reasons that made her stop attending Catholic churches in Nigeria.
The 43-year-old novelist made this known during an interview with media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.
She, however, noted that she still considers herself a Catholic and only attends masses outside Nigeria when she comes across a “progressive” Catholic community that upholds humanity.
“I grew up as a Catholic. Catholicism was very important to me. It‘s almost like a culture, not just a religion. So even if you leave the Catholic Church, it’s in you.
“At the moment, I don’t like to talk about religion because I don’t know. There are so many rules about religion, It teaches you guilt in a way that I don’t think so many protestant denominations do.
“I’m Catholic, nominally but I do not attend it in Nigeria.
“Nigerian Catholicism is way too much about money, fundraising, and thanksgiving. Some in the east even look at who’s wearing gold. I think the focus of religion should be things Nigerian Catholicism doesn’t focus on.
“Culturally, I call myself a Catholic but if being religious means performing and going to confession, then I’m not.
“I go to church outside the country when I find a progressive Catholic Church,” Chimamanda added.
She, however, noted that she respects religion in general but questions some of its excesses.
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