I don't think it's that simple. After all, Rwanda used to be known as the "most Christian country in Africa..."
And those with-killing evangelists in Nigeria don't seem to be helping matters.
There's no doubt some mission groups are doing good things there, but so are secular organizations like Oxfam, Medecins sans Frontieres and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. What Africa needs is debt relief, practical leadership and rational problem solving, not more superstition.
"typical. assume that one or two examples of bad religious people define all of religion and all that religious people have ever done."
That's not what I'm doing at all; I'm pointing out that the article you linked to is doing that in reverse; assuming that a few good examples define all religion.
Some Christian missionaries in Africa do wonderful but, but the Catholic Church in Africa teaches people that using condoms to protect against AIDS is a sin...in Nigeria some sects teach that children who misbehave are demon possessed witches who must have the devil beaten out of them... Christian ministers in Rwanda aided in the genocide there.
So it seems to me that it's an oversimplification to say that what Africa needs is Christianity. What's needed there is a healthy dose of skepticism, rational solutions and compassion. Whether it comes from Christians or others is irrelevant.
"that thing about witches is not a Vatican position."
I never said it was; they're evangelical/Pentecostals.
" The article I read about it a couple of years ago said Muslims do it to."
Some do. And some Christians in Africa practice female circumcision; that's not just a Muslim thing. More religion is not the answer to Africa's problems; reason and compassion are.
Interesting article.
ReplyDeleteThat was fascinating. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteIts only a mater of time before the obvipu truth is made known, you cannot deny it forever.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's that simple. After all, Rwanda used to be known as the "most Christian country in Africa..."
ReplyDeleteAnd those with-killing evangelists in Nigeria don't seem to be helping matters.
There's no doubt some mission groups are doing good things there, but so are secular organizations like Oxfam, Medecins sans Frontieres and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. What Africa needs is debt relief, practical leadership and rational problem solving, not more superstition.
typical. assume that one or two examples of bad religious people define all of religion and all that religious people have ever done.
ReplyDelete"typical. assume that one or two examples of bad religious people define all of religion and all that religious people have ever done."
ReplyDeleteThat's not what I'm doing at all; I'm pointing out that the article you linked to is doing that in reverse; assuming that a few good examples define all religion.
Some Christian missionaries in Africa do wonderful but, but the Catholic Church in Africa teaches people that using condoms to protect against AIDS is a sin...in Nigeria some sects teach that children who misbehave are demon possessed witches who must have the devil beaten out of them... Christian ministers in Rwanda aided in the genocide there.
So it seems to me that it's an oversimplification to say that what Africa needs is Christianity. What's needed there is a healthy dose of skepticism, rational solutions and compassion. Whether it comes from Christians or others is irrelevant.
that thing about witches is not a Vatican position. The article I read about it a couple of years ago said Muslims do it to.
ReplyDeletethe on balance is war outweighs for the good on religion's favor.
"that thing about witches is not a Vatican position."
ReplyDeleteI never said it was; they're evangelical/Pentecostals.
" The article I read about it a couple of years ago said Muslims do it to."
Some do. And some Christians in Africa practice female circumcision; that's not just a Muslim thing. More religion is not the answer to Africa's problems; reason and compassion are.
more religion is not the answer: Jesus is.
ReplyDelete"more religion is not the answer: Jesus is"
ReplyDeleteWhat was the question? ;-)
"more religion is not the answer: Jesus is"
ReplyDeleteWhat was the question? ;-)
more religion is not the answer: Jesus is"
ReplyDeleteWhat was the question? ;-)
"what is the truth of the universe?"
"what is the truth of the universe?"
ReplyDeleteOh, I thought we were trying to save lives in Africa...my mistake...