I've just stumbled across a terrible phenomenon in Nigeria which combines the worst of Pentecostalism and tribal superstition.
Some children in the Niger Delta have the misfortune to be blamed for sicknesses such as AIDS or for personal or natural disasters. This is a traditional belief in that area which is being stirred up by locally produced movies (underwritten by a big local Pentecostal church).
Such children have awful things done to them. The fortunate ones are poisoned or otherwise killed.
There are a number of "pastors" who are exploiting the situation by claiming to have deliverance ministries. Typically they charge parents the equivalent of a full year's salary to subject the children to torture or humiliation until they confess they have a spirit of witchcraft.
A number of organisations are working with these children, rescuing them from abuse and caring for their afflictions.
Click here to visit the Stepping Stones Nigeria site
Facebook users can join the group Help the child witches of Nigeria
It is a terrible thing when things such as this are done in the name of "religion". Hopefully missionaries or some group can stop these archaic tribal acts.
ReplyDeleteOne of the greatest challenges facing the church world-wide is separating the wheat from the chaff, the genuine from the false. I guess, in the end that judgement will be made by God, but in the meantime people all around the world suffer physical, sexual or spiritual abuse at the hands of the wolves.
ReplyDeleteHow awful...
ReplyDeleteI will help end this soon....i have a trip planned
ReplyDelete