Witch-hunts and killings have been rampant in certain parts of Africa due to many local evangelists and preachers (some posing to be such) using their power to provoke. This is apparently a tactic used by these evangelists for monetary gains, and not out of a real need for spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ.
According to Christianity Today online, the increasing numbers of accused children, and others, as so-called "witches" are not only stemming from these zealot evangelists, but also from Christian missionaries, who are, to be blunt, just fanning the fire. Aptly named Mr. Robert Priest states in the article that, "Missionaries have commonly responded in two ways... The power of witches to harm others is dismissed as superstition, but this seldom persuades local Christians to abandon the concept; or the reality of witchcraft is endorsed by missionaries not wanting to be "post-Enlightenment rationalists" with a non-biblical skepticism of spiritual warfare."
With that statement as a springboard, I want to discuss (i.e. rant), about missionaries and their practices.
Now, as a lover of anthropology and foreign cultures (its a sort of hobby), I have never liked the concept of people going abroad with the sole purpose of converting others to their religion. Proselytizing, in my humble opinion, is a one-sided conversation no one can pull off.
So, yes, in a word, I abhor missionaries. Note, I do not think missionaries are bad people. Missionaries have, at times, done many an isolated population great favours. They have been the first chroniclers of foreign peoples and lands, and they have saved (literally) many lives, perhaps even brought comfort in the word of God to people in need.
But...and there anyways is one...there is a dark side to having missionaries hanging around. They have brought disease, like small-pox, and in some areas they wiped out the entire indigenous religious practice through their very thorough Christian conversion practices.
Yes, people sometimes need to be shown the way; but I emphasize the word "shown". From what I have experienced, many missionaries tend to "shove" people in that direction, saying God will 'save' them.
People living in poverty, that face starvation, disease, and dying everyday are in need of salvation, but not the kind that God can provide. They need medical care, clean water, love, and respect. God may be able to give them peace in the afterlife, but their daily suffering cannot be soothed over with whatever they are told about God or quoted Bible passages.
If you are a missionary reading this, then I apologize. I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but you really need to get with modernity and tell people like it is. Tell them the scientific facts. Christianity and Science can coexist, but only if we use our brains to make it possible.
Think about it. There are children in Africa at this very moment, being beaten, tortured, burned, killed, or abandoned by their families because they have been accused of "witchcraft". Little children, some only 3 or 4 years old, told that they have killed others through spells, curses, and the evil eye.
Is this not insanity? Is this not injustice? How can a person accuse children of these practices when a child is not even aware of the existence of witchcraft? It is completely and utterly disgusting.
I am not a malicious person, but I hope that these evangelical preachers in Africa suffer all the wrath God has to give, because they deserve all of it and more.
I hope all the missionaries in Africa can work together and help these suffering children. Save the children with spreading the true message of God. Use the teachings of Jesus to teach adults to love their children, and not listen to accusations that are blatant lies.
Do it for the children.
Readers: If you want to learn more about this awful situation and help out, click on this link:
No comments:
Post a Comment