Here's a long writeup by Katherine Houreld for AP:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091017/ap_on_re_af/af_nigeria_child_witches
I'm not here to pick the article apart, and I think you should read it for yourself, but I'll summarize.
Christian churches in Nigeria have began to punish children as witches. As an example, a pastor from Mount Zion Lighthouse denounced a 9-year old as a witch. His father tried to perform an exorcism by pouring acid down the boy's throat. The boy struggled and later died from his burns on the face and in the throat.
There have been hundreds of cases where witches are discovered. At least 13 churches have taken part. The numbers for the last decade are worse. Evangelical Christian churches have been popping up all around the country, in some places now outnumbering banks, schools and clinics put together. 15000 children accused and 1000 killed.
Last month there was an actual witch burning. Actually, make that three.
Why the hell would they do it? Well, there is so much competition between congregations that they have to be able to find witches to attract believers. They might also be able to catch a quick buck from parents paying for an exorcism. That, or maybe they don't want their child burned.
Another kid got beaten up because she liked to sleep outside on hot nights. That was enough to require a series of exorcisms, which cost the family eight months' wages and when that didn't help the girl got beaten up.
This is happening today. The churches say they are helping people.
No comments:
Post a Comment