Biblical Faith is trust in the Sovereignty of God;
surrender to the Lordship of Christ;
obedience to the Word of God;
willingness to sacrifice for the Kingdom of God;
determination to seek first the Kingdom of God;
following in the steps of Christ;
putting Biblical duty first;
courage to overcome our fears;
boldness to obey God in spite of all opposition;
perseverance in spite of setbacks;
and discernment as to what is that good, acceptable and perfect Will of God (Romans 12:2).
Biblical Faith is trust in the Sovereignty of God;
surrender to the Lordship of Christ;
obedience to the Word of God;
willingness to sacrifice for the Kingdom of God;
determination to seek first the Kingdom of God;
following in the steps of Christ;
putting Biblical duty first;
courage to overcome our fears;
boldness to obey God in spite of all opposition;
perseverance in spite of setbacks;
and discernment as to what is that good, acceptable and perfect Will of God (Romans 12:2).
Folk religion deals with evil spirits often with a shaman, etc. All major religions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism have both a formal traditional religion and also some form of folk religion. This outlines some of the folk religion found in a variety of places among the more than 1,000,000,000 Muslims.
World Religions, including Secular humanism, Communism, and AnimismBob Patton, M.D., D.D.
An overview of common world religions, as well as animism, secular humanism and communism. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Roman Catholicism, Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormonism are mentioned
Native American Religion Native American ReligionBecauseEstelaJeffery653
Native American Religion
Native American Religion
Because of the long history and wide diversity of Native American cultures and societies, the notion of one single Native American religion is probably false. The people we call North Americans arrived on the North American continent 15,000 to 20,000 years ago, lived in many different locales, and practiced differing lifestyles. Some tribes were hunters and gatherers, others developed agricultural communities. Some lived as nomads, while others built towns and cities. Our vision of Native Americans hunting bison was only true on the western plains, and we sometimes forget that it was the Europeans who introduced the horse that made such hunting possible. We also have to remember that written sources for a study of Native American religion tend to be relatively recent and influenced by a long Christian history of forced conversion. Archeological evidence gives few clues about religious practice. To describe Native American religion, we have one of two options: we can either describe one specific religion of one tribe at a certain time and place; or, we can make general statements about the entire field. In this course, we will take the second approach.
To begin, we might ask whether Native American religions are polytheistic, monotheistic, or monist. On the one hand, they are polytheistic. All nature is alive with spirits: the spirits of the animals and plants, who sometimes appear in visions; the guardian spirits of various animals; and the spirits of the dead, who live in the land of the dead. At the heart is Mother Earth, who provides the bounty of the earth. Thunder and lightning are considered separate deities. On the other hand, many Native American religions hold that there is a single Supreme Being. Above and beyond the lesser deities, there is a High God. However, this high God is above daily matters and only appealed to in extreme emergency. Some Native Americans see the High God or Great Spirit as personal, while others see the High God in a more impersonal way. The Dakota (Sioux) belief in Wakan Tanka is a good example of this abstract understanding of God. Wakan Tanka, or the “Great Mysterious,” is a creative force found in all beings and spirits. Any object or being that has influence over the course of life is seen as a manifestation of this divine power. Thus, Native American religions have some elements of polytheism, monotheism, and monism
One of the principal characteristics of Native American religion is animism. An animist is one who believes that the trees, rocks, rivers, and animals are spiritually alive. The spirits that live in nature can help or harm, and so some form of worship is normally offered to these spirits. And so nature is to be respected and lived with in harmony. Hunting is a good example of this attitude. Hunting played an essential role in survival and the huntee was viewed as a kindred spirit. The hunter praye ...
This presentation is one of the most important topics in MINI YAPAK of the Prelature of Infanta and has been presented for the MSK (BEC) Leaders of John Paul II Village, Brgy Agos Agos, Infanta, Quezon Philippines
Editing Key:
Bold Red-Yellow Highlight=my comments
Bold Black-Yellow Highlight=my comments
CAPITALIZE= Dark Red Letter
1. How do these primary sources demonstrate the strangeness of cultural encounters on the eve of European exploration of America? What SPECIFIC passages best demonstrate the strangeness and uneasiness that American Indians had towards European explorers?
The first strangeness and uncomfortable that was evident during the first meeting between the American Indians and the Europeans is that there was a deep cultural misunderstanding between them.{why not go to the document: John Heckewelder on the Indians meet the Dutch or go to the document of Peter the Martyr meeting the Tainos Indians? The Montagnais Indians meeting the French? The floating island story? Why not work with those documents? How strange did each culture see each other? Give specific examples from these documents.]{I am unsure who Gray is? What is this source you reference?].Guided by the success of France and Spain in America, the English started their exploration of the new world in 1585, with the journey of Sir Walter Raleigh to the outer banks of the Carolinas. Later English entrepreneurs of the London Company of Virginia met the Powhatan Indians. When the English tried to assert power over the natives, the Powhatan on the other, hand were planning to use the English to strengthen their confederacy in regional intertribal competition. [elaborate: give specific examples from the document you are interpreting} The struggle between the two groups led to the introduction of skills and goods of the other culture into theirs.
5.How did John Smith describe Powhatan Indian religion? In what ways did he demonstrate European bias?
The Powhatan people like other American Indian tribes were very spiritual people whose religion was founded on animism. The Powhatans, much like the northeastern woodland Indians believed in the interaction between the physical and the spiritual world. They believed in an all including spirit—the power of everything, the Great Spirit (Brébeuf, 2008). The English Captain John Smith observed the religious practices of the Powhatans. Through his observations we see both the strangeness of Indian religion to European eyes and the bias lenses of Smith. {now give me SPECIFIC observations of smith to demonstrate his non-understanding of their religion and how he demonstrated his belief that the Powhatans were pagan] Also, Powhatan believed in demon spirit and in medicine men who acted as spiritual intermediates. The sequence of gods that the natives worshiped was offered gifts to gain favor for the hunt. . {Give me a specific example from the document] The European bias was evident in Smith letter where it is clear that converting from unbelief to belief or heathen to Christian depended on the New World project plantation that used substation. {Give me a specific example from the document] (John Smith describes Powhatans 97-98)
8.How do these ...
Acetabularia Information For Class 9 .docxvaibhavrinwa19
Acetabularia acetabulum is a single-celled green alga that in its vegetative state is morphologically differentiated into a basal rhizoid and an axially elongated stalk, which bears whorls of branching hairs. The single diploid nucleus resides in the rhizoid.
Executive Directors Chat Leveraging AI for Diversity, Equity, and InclusionTechSoup
Let’s explore the intersection of technology and equity in the final session of our DEI series. Discover how AI tools, like ChatGPT, can be used to support and enhance your nonprofit's DEI initiatives. Participants will gain insights into practical AI applications and get tips for leveraging technology to advance their DEI goals.
How to Build a Module in Odoo 17 Using the Scaffold MethodCeline George
Odoo provides an option for creating a module by using a single line command. By using this command the user can make a whole structure of a module. It is very easy for a beginner to make a module. There is no need to make each file manually. This slide will show how to create a module using the scaffold method.
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
Unit 8 - Information and Communication Technology (Paper I).pdfThiyagu K
This slides describes the basic concepts of ICT, basics of Email, Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives in Education. This presentations aligns with the UGC Paper I syllabus.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
This slide is special for master students (MIBS & MIFB) in UUM. Also useful for readers who are interested in the topic of contemporary Islamic banking.
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty, In...Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty,
International FDP on Fundamentals of Research in Social Sciences
at Integral University, Lucknow, 06.06.2024
By Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
A review of the growth of the Israel Genealogy Research Association Database Collection for the last 12 months. Our collection is now passed the 3 million mark and still growing. See which archives have contributed the most. See the different types of records we have, and which years have had records added. You can also see what we have for the future.
Thinking of getting a dog? Be aware that breeds like Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds can be loyal and dangerous. Proper training and socialization are crucial to preventing aggressive behaviors. Ensure safety by understanding their needs and always supervising interactions. Stay safe, and enjoy your furry friends!
4. 1: Standing by a purpose true, heeding
God’s command,
Honour them the faithful few, all hail
to Daniel’s band!
Chorus Dare to be a Daniel!
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!
5. 2: Many mighty men are lost, daring not to
stand,
Who for God had been a host, by
joining Daniel’s band!
Chorus Dare to be a Daniel!
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!
6. 3: Many giants, great and tall, stalking
through the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall, if met
by Daniel’s band!
Chorus Dare to be a Daniel!
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!
7. 4: Hold the Gospel banner high, on to
vict’ry grand,
Satan and his host defy, and shout for
Daniel’s band!
Chorus Dare to be a Daniel!
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!
12. On one of my
overseas ministry
trips an in-flight
documentary
caught my
attention. Some
anthropologist
was waxing
eloquent about
the “incredibly
advanced Mayan
civilization” of
Central America
in the 15th
Century.
13. They didn't have a written language, but they
were “incredibly advanced.”
16. Unfortunately, these impressive temples were
used for human sacrifices. The human sacrifices
were necessary to make the Sun rise each day!
But they only used slaves and prisoners captured
from neighbouring tribes!
17. None of this
seems to have
dampened the
enthusiasm of
this
anthropologist
as he eagerly
described the
“amazing”,
“complex” and
“intricate”
Mayan
civilization.
18. They had a “fascinating” sport which was a cross
between our basketball and football, although
you could only use your shoulder to score “a
goal.” Unfortunately the losing team were all put
to death!
19. And so it carried
on. I could only
wonder at what
mental and
ethical
gymnastics this
anthropologist
and film
presenter could
do in order to
praise the
“incredibly
advanced Mayan
Civilization”
which had not yet
discovered the
wheel, did not
have a written
language
28. During a visit to the Field Museum, in Chicago, I saw a
similar display of reverence for paganism. Part of the
exhibit included the cover of an old Time magazine cover
“Lost Tribes – Lost Knowledge”.
29. The cover picture
was of a primitive
tribesman from
Papua New Guinea
with a bone through
his nose. The sub
title read:
“Treasure
troves of
scientific
knowledge are
being lost by
tribes going
extinct.”
30. I wondered what
scientific knowledge
would be possessed
by tribes without a
written language, but
closer examination
revealed that these
tribes were
“going extinct”
because of the work
of Christian
missionaries!
31. As these tribes are evangelized and come to Christ they
abandoned their old tribal religions of head hunting,
cannibalism, spirit worship and polygamy.
32. To the “scientist”
the tribes were
“going extinct”
because they no
longer walked
around naked and
no longer engaged
in body
scarification,
tattooing and body
piercing!
33. Now they wore
clothes and
glasses, went
to the doctor
instead of the
witchdoctor,
had schools,
were learning
to read, only
married once
and
worshipped in
Church!
34. Being somewhat ignorant of the
science of anthropology I would
have thought that ending inter-
tribal warfare, cannibalism,
polygamy and occultism was good.
35. I would have also assumed
that giving people the gift
of literacy, medicines to
improve their health and
extend life expectancy,
improving people's sight
with glasses and bringing
them the life transforming
Gospel of Jesus Christ was
all preferable to allow them
to languish in superstition,
ignorance and animistic
fear.
36. But NO! As National
Geographic articles
bemoaning the
“cultural genocide”
of New Tribes Mission,
and other pioneer
missions in the Amazon
jungle,
have pointed out,
40. - just so that journalists and anthropologists can have the
more interesting, and financially lucrative, photo ops of
naked savages engaging in body scarification and the
eating of their neighbours.
41. “For although they knew God, they
neither glorified Him as God, nor
gave thanks to Him, but their
thinking became futile and their
foolish hearts were darkened.”
Romans 1:21
42. ANIMISM is “Spirit Worship”. It is the
primary religion of over 100 million tribal
people scattered throughout Africa, New
43. the Pacific Islands, North and South
America, Australia, New Zealand, India
and Japan. Elements of basic Animism
are also adhered to by some Muslims,
44.
45.
46.
47. Animism includes:
NECROLATRY (the worship of the souls of
the dead): Tribal people tend to regard
departed ancestors as part of the clan
and fear the harm that the departed can
do to the living. (Especially they fear that
those who die unnaturally will come
48. SPIRIT WORSHIP: Tribal religions
believe in the existence of personal
spirits or demons as well as
impersonal spiritual forces in nature
which inhabit the earth, air, fire,
water, trees, mountains and animal
life. Life for them is dominated by a
host of taboos and rituals to placate
the spirits.
Spirit tree
50. MAGIC: Imitative
magic seeks to bring
harm to an enemy by
attacking a
representation of him
(e.g. a voodoo doll!)
Contagious Magic is
the connection
between a person and
his hair clippings, nail
parings, sweat, spit or
faeces.
51. The blood of an animal (or person)
may be drunk in order to gain the
strength of that animal or (in the
case of cannibalism) person.
62. NATURISM: is the personification and
worship of the forces of nature
– sun, moon, stars, fire, volcanos,
storms, animals
63. (e.g. the sun in Ancient Egypt, the
sacred cow of the Hindus in India,
the sacred mountain of Shintoism in
Japan).
Shinto shrine
64. Naturism normally leads to
idolatry and polytheism (the
worship of many gods). Naturism
often relates to fertility – both in
agriculture and human reproduction.
65. Nature worship,
rituals and sacrifices
are intended to
guarantee fertility.
Human sacrifices are
an extreme example
of this.
69. 3. There are no moral absolutes
(sin is seen as the violation of culture,
custom and spirit forces).
A Woman undergoes
ritual purification for
adultery – adultery
could be taken even
as cooking for
another man.
70. 4. Fatalism and a sense of helplessness
in the face of external forces.
71. Heathenism does not deny God as much as
ignore Him by worshiping natural forces
73. “Do not practise divination or sorcery . . .
Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put
tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord
. . . Do not turn to mediums or seek out
spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.
I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:26-31
74. “When you enter the
land the Lord your
God is giving you,
do not learn to
imitate the
detestable ways of
the nations there.
Let no one be found
among you who
sacrifices his son or
daughter in the fire,
who practises
divination or sorcery,
interprets omens,
engages in
witchcraft,
75. or casts spells, or
who is a medium or
spiritist or who
consults the dead.
Anyone who does
these things is
detestable to the
Lord, and because of
these detestable
practices the Lord
your God will drive out
those nations before
you. You must be
blameless before the
Lord your God.”
Deuteronomy 18:9-13
76. a cursed nation
An example of a country which has been dedicated
to ancestral spirits is Haiti.
77. As the Wall Street Journal noted in its article: “Haiti and the Voodoo
Curse: The Cultural Roots of the Country’s Endless Misery”,
that despite Haiti having received billions of dollars in foreign aid
over the last 50 years, it remains the least developed country
in the Western hemisphere.
78. Haiti has defied all development predictions. Operation World reports
that Haiti is the poorest state in the Western hemisphere with
over 75% of the population living on less than $2 a day.
Effective unemployment is around 70%.
80. Haiti has some of the worst pollution, drought, famine, rapid rise of drug
abuse and spread of AIDS in the Western hemisphere. An estimated
75% of the population are actively involved in voodoo.
81. Haiti is at the top of the corruption index. A full 25% of the police are in
the pay of drug lords and gangs. The massive earthquake in 2010 was
one of the worst natural disasters to ever hit the Western hemisphere,
with over 300,000 dead.
82. At its inception in 1803,
Haiti was dedicated to
satan.
In 2003, voodoo was
declared a national religion
of Haiti.
83. obstacle to
progress
The Wall Street Journal
quotes Cameroonian
development expert,
Daniel Etounga-Manguelle
as observing that
voodooism is “one
of the principal
obstacles to
progress in Africa.”
84. Daniel Etounga-Manguelle observes that “Haiti’s culture is powerfully
influenced by its religion, voodoo. Voodoo is one of numerous
spirit-based religions common to Africa.
85. It is without ethical content. Its followers believe that their destinies are
controlled by hundreds of capricious spirits who must be propitiated
through voodoo ceremonies.” Animism is a “progress-resistant force”.
86. The Wall Street Journal observed: “A Haitian child is made to understand
that everything that happens is due to the spirits. He is raised to
externalize evil and to understand he is in continuous danger. Haitians
are afraid of each other. You will find a high degree of paranoia in Haiti.”
88. The witchdoctors or shamans are regarded as expert mediators
who know the proper incantations and sacrifices to placate the spirits.
89. Animism is a
religion that sees
a spiritual force
behind every
event and many
objects in the
physical world
have some
spiritual
significance.
Animism seems
obsessed with
invoking good
luck and avoiding
bad luck.
90. Each community is seen as having its own sets
of gods and spirits. These are territorial.
91. pervasive fear
Fear plays a major role in the life of Animists. They see the world as full
of spirits, omens, spells and forces. Through magic, divination and
sacred rituals, they seek protection to appease the gods,
the spirits and the ancestors.
92. They observe numerous taboos and prohibitions and observe sacred
places. For example, in Haiti there is a sacred tree where a pact with the
devil was signed over two centuries ago by witchdoctors. Animists see a
whole host of objects as sacred things with sacred power.
93. They recognize sacred persons and observe sacred actions. One of these
is the circumcision rituals on young men in the Xhosa tribe. Many
hundreds of men have died from these dangerous circumcision rituals.
94. the sangoma and
the snake
During the World Cup 2010, much publicity was given to a Burmese rock
python, owned by a sangoma (witch doctor), in Nyanga. It was alleged
that this python was able to communicate to the sangoma which team
would win each match. Gamblers paid the sangoma for predictions.
95. The SPCA found the snake to be underweight, suffering from
dehydration, mouth rot and pneumonia and confiscated the python to
give it medical care. The sangoma, 25 year old Siyabonga Mthethwa,
said that the SPCA did not understand sangomas:
“Everything I said does not make sense to them.”
96. ritual murder
The High Court in Pietermaritzburg found 28 year old Smangaliso
Ngubane guilty of murder for having slaughtered
his 17 month old baby daughter in a ritual killing.
97. Amini Xaba was stabbed by her father six times in what state witnesses
described as “an offering to his ancestors”. Ngubane testified that he
had heard voices that had told him to do this.
98. satanic sacrifice
Two teenage girls in Johannesburg were doused with petrol and set
alight in a satanic ritual. The provincial police spokesman reported
that the girls were tied up by their friends and burned
in what appeared to be a satanic ritual.
99. The Star quoted from Izabella Little, of the Teenage Advice Forum, Life
Talk, that: “Satanism is not spoken about very often”. She mentioned an
incident in Cape Town where a mother reported her teenage daughter
kidnapped and taken to some satanic church
where another teenager was murdered.
100. She managed to escape but was very traumatized. Police investigated
the incident, but it was never mentioned in the media. “We always hear
rumours about Satanism, but it is not something people are talking
about. We would like them to come forward
so that this can come into the open.”
101. child sacrifice
In Uganda the government is setting up posters in playgrounds and on
roadsides warning of the danger of abduction by witchdoctors for child
sacrifice. Police have investigated hundreds of cases of child sacrifice in
Uganda.
102. The mutilated bodies of children have been discovered at roadsides. The
Anti-Human Sacrifice Task Force reports that there is a growing belief
that when you sacrifice a child, you get wealth. There are people willing
to buy these children to be sacrificed for the prosperity of their
business.
103. powerful spell
The UK based charity, Jubilee
Campaign, reports that they know of
over 900 cases of human sacrifice in
the country.
Churches are singing a song:
“Heal our land,
end child sacrifice.”
104. A BBC undercover reporter filmed a local witch doctor who explained
how the sacrifice of a child is “the most powerful spell”. The witch
doctor was recorded saying: “there are two ways of doing this, we can
bury the child alive on your construction site, or we can cut him in
different places and put the blood in the bottle of spiritual medicine.”
105.
106. haunted roads
Sindephi Spogter-KaMcina of the National Executive Committee of the
Traditional Healers Association claimed that the roads of South Africa
are haunted because whites have not fetched the spirits of their dead
from roadside accident scenes.
107. He explained that the growing Christian tradition of putting up roadside
memorial crosses and placing flowers at the scene of an accidental
death, stops the soul of the deceased from departing.
108. He claimed that roadside memorials cause accidents because the white
people did not appease their loved ones’ spirit. He explained that in
African traditions the spirit of the dead is brought back home from the
scene of the death.
109. Some use a branch from a young tree to seep up the spirit and take it
to the body, which must be buried in the ancestral area.
110. Animism is
serious
These and many other
examples remind us that
Animism is real
and the consequences of
dedicating a nation to
ancestral spirits
are very serious.
111. The Scriptures are clear: “You shall not… practise divination or
soothsaying… give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not
seek after them, to be defiled by them; I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 19:26, 31
112. What the Bible Says
“When you come into the land
which the Lord your God has
given you,
you shall not
learn to follow
the abominations
of those nations.
113. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his
daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft,
or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,
or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist,
or one who calls up the dead.
114. For all who do these
things are
an abomination
to the Lord
and because of
these abominations
the Lord your God
drives them out
from before you.
You shall be blameless
before the Lord
your God.
115. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and
diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has
not appointed such for you.” Deuteronomy 18:9-14
116. communicating with the dead
The Scriptures are clear that we are not able to communicate with the
spirits of departed ancestors. It is appointed unto man once to die and
after that the Judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
117. There is a great gulf set
between the living and the
dead and
communication between
them is impossible
(Luke 16:26).
118. However, many people who think that they are communicating with
ancestral spirits are actually communicating with deceptive demons,
unclean spirits (Matthew 10:1), evil spirits (Acts 19:12), fallen angels
who rebelled and are now in darkness bound for Judgment (Jude 6).
119. Their power is limited (2 Peter 2:4). They serve the devil, the prince of
darkness, the prince of this world (Matthew 12:24; John 12:31).
120. occultism
Occult practices honour satan rather than God. Occultism makes the
enemies of God the guiding forces and the source of knowledge.
121. Those who are
“giving heed to
deceiving spirits
and doctrines of
demons” actually
“depart from the
faith…”
1 Timothy 4:1.
We are
commanded
“Do not learn the
ways of the
heathen…”
Jeremiah 10:2
122.
123. The Bible teaches us not to fear satan or
his demons, but to stand against them in
the strength of the Lord.
124. “For God did not give us a
spirit of timidity, but a spirit
of power, of love and of self-
discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7