As if there weren’t enough to be depressed about, the British newspaper The Guardian reports about the scapegoating of children in Nigeria:
Evangelical pastors are helping to create a terrible new campaign of violence against young Nigerians. Children and babies branded as evil are being abused, abandoned and even murdered while the preachers make money out of the fear of their parents and their communities.
Do read the article; yes, it’s depressing, but it’s an invaluable firsthand account for anyone who wants to understand Africa, its churches and worldwide fundamentalism. Here is the Pentecostal church at work—taught Biblical literalism by American and Scottish missionaries, the article claims—not the Anglican Church of Nigeria, which prefers to scapegoat Gay, Lesbian and Trans people instead. Archbishop Peter Akinola doesn’t advocate gouging Gay eyes out or throwing acid in their faces (although Davis Mac-Iyalla’s been threatened with the latter), he wants to jail Gay people for 14 years instead.
With all that is screwed up about Nigeria, you’d think Akinola would speak out against the abuse of children. But you’d be wrong. Since Anglicanism has to compete with Pentecostalism (and by many reports, is losing that competition), you’d think he’d compare and contrast these two versions of “Christianity.” But again you’d be wrong.
Beware the next time you hear some right-wing American Christian tell you to support missionary work. Chances are, the missionaries are just teaching Pentecostal-style hucksterism: how to get rich by stealing and committing violence in the name of God.
Lord, have mercy. Defenseless children!++
Akinola, Repudiate Anti-Gay Violence 
It is beyond horrible that this is being done in the Name of Jesus, but then one more thing for conservatives to do, sell out Children they way they have sold out every one they do not agree with.
Horrible.
Comment by Monk-in-Training — December 13, 2007 @ 3:43 pm |
People have been taught not only to expect miracles, but a “prosperity gospel” that says that if you believe in Jesus, nothing bad will ever happen to you! Then when something bad does happen, the poor deluded, manipulated tribespeople go looking for someone to blame. They don’t pick on teenage boys who can fight back, but on little bitty kids, who can’t understand why all of a sudden mommy hates them and tries to kill them.
Pray; pray hard. Pray without ceasing that Christ will overcome all the violence committed in his name.
Comment by josh — December 13, 2007 @ 10:09 pm |
It is very sad when Christ’s name is used in such an unholy manner.
However, don’t say that all American missionaries do this, or that this is just another thing that ‘conservatives’ do. I have known many a missionary in my life, and while this is far from the work of Christ, there are plenty of people spreading the true gospel in Africa.
Comment by Andrew — January 15, 2008 @ 2:51 pm |
Craziness is everywhere, unfortunately. And craziness in the name of Religion abounds.
But dont be misled. Use common sense.
Comment by Michelle Tembo — July 9, 2008 @ 6:17 pm |
i want to know from you are pentecostal vengencful people i know of some pentecostal in new york who are very hateful people, many of them carried weapons.
tell me what do these people believe and what they don’t.
thank you
Comment by ida — October 5, 2009 @ 12:06 pm |
it most disheartening how so many of us use the gospel to promote our own selfish ends at the detriment of the weak and unlearned members of the body of Christ .we point men to the riches of his blessings but turn them against the true gospel which has the power to save the people
Comment by maigari — November 3, 2010 @ 4:35 am |