http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/spirituality/African-witchcraft.htm

African Witchcraft

Sent by Felicia N.in Zimbabwe, Africa

Unfortunately, there are so few Africans who really are true Christians. The problem stems from the fact that there is just too much of this "cultural" [read demon worship] approach to almost all aspects of life even amongst said Christians.

Examples:

• When a baby is born into a family there is some slaughter of an animal and sprinkling of blood so as to "welcome the baby into the clan" and it is then named. The baby too has to have charms worn around his/her waist in protection from evil spirits when the child reaches puberty there is an initiation ceremony.

• Wedding ceremonies usually have the marriage being consecrated to the ancestral spirits for blessings. death ceremonies dedicate the soul into the hands of the ancestral spirits for safe travel into the hereafter.

• In every culture across the whole continent, business men usually have their businesses protected and flourish under the aid of demons. Basically, they have to kill a member of their family (sacrifice to Satan) for all this to be effected. They are then given a spiritual "guardian/protector" who gives orders which they must follow in order to be successful. They can also be given a human zombie to be their slave (e.g.: sew clothes for sale from morning to night).

Healers/Prophets. These are to heal the people of illnesses they can not afford medicine for or which a white man's medicine has failed. Of course the cures do have demonic components to them but most don't know......as long as it works God must be there, right? [Wrong!]

These folk also help in cases of demonic possession....I went to one when I was still so IGNORANT. I was made to strip and the prophetess bathed me in milk and eucalyptus oil. She made me face east, north, south, west and at each location said an appropriate incantation. She then "blessed" a candle and told me to pray using this candle until it burnt out. She told a friend to use salt to break curses......I now know all these to be occult rituals.

Cultural practices. People are innocently demonically influenced by having most parts of their bodies pierced and inserted with either bone particles or jewelry which would have been "blessed". Also, some prints on the fabric warn traditionally are none other than occultic symbols. Tourism ignorantly purchase and take home demonically contaminated curios, ornaments, artifacts etc not knowing how they have "an accursed thing".

Barrenness. Women who are barren (this truly is an utterly DISGRACEFUL condition in all African cultures) go to some healer who gives them a strange concoction to drink and utters an appropriate incantation. A few months later the woman gives birth. I personally have always wondered whether or not the offsprings are demon-possessed from birth. Of course demons can cause barrenness in the first place.

General spitefulness. If folk clash over any issue they can consult a witchdoctor for adequate procedures to follow in order to get their own back [revenge]. They can "learn" astral projection in order to go and physically go and wreak havoc on their assailant invisibly [they go there by their spirits].

Satanism. This is really on the increase in Africa. The initiates are tested deep in the heart of African jungles in what the west would call satan's pits. Also they have rebirthing ceremonies and they meet under the sea [really]. Some people are influenced into this by sex with satanists (transferance of spirits).

Double-minded Christians. The SAD truth is that Christians for the most part do not want the cross and really love mammon more than God. Also they prefer the ostrich approach (ie bury their head in the sand). They actually glory in their ignorance and fear of all things satanic BUT at the same time Satan has his way with them.

I will testify to this since in my family ALWAYS reprimands me for my research in Satan's tactics on Christians. 99% Christians are church goers who pay allegiance to the local witchdoctors/witches/sorcerers so they will not be "tormented". The word of the cross is utter foolishness to them and I really wonder if most of them are saved to begin with. Satan loves to counterfeit the gifts of the Holy Spirit on them especially "slaying in the spirit", spiritual experiences with UNholy spirits, false prophesies and words of knowledge ad infinitem.

These obviously only are the tip of the iceberg! Professing Christians are at church on Sunday and off to mediums for guidance during the week. NEARLY EVERY FAMILY I KNOW HAS FAMILIAR OBJECTS IN THEIR HOMES. These as you know are little figurines of the demon-gods for protection or simply in the ignorance as curios (ornamental objects).....all my fammily members have these no matter what I have explicitly said. (Recall the story of Achan who bought spoils from the battle when God forbade this and Paul and John do warn to keep away from idols since demons obtain legal ground from God to wreak havoc on the persons involved).

I hope I have been of assistance to you. Please feel free to reproduce any of the above and mail me if you have ANY queries.

Oh.....I do understand that God does expect us to test the spirits [1 John 4:12] and recall how Paul really recommended the Bereans. So do wait on the Holy Spirit's confirmation as to the validity of all this.......you most certainly will not offend me. The world is evil and I do encourage you on this point.

In the Master's service,
Felicia