Are Africans Forced to Convert

[Teresa]

I had heard that some Africans are forced to convert to Christianity in order to obtain jobs and make money to support their families in some parts of Africa. Does anyone know it there is any truth to this? That they have to hide (Ifa and other ATR) to feed their familes?

[BlackLili]

There's a horrible fear and violence committed against anything that even vaguely resembles witchcraft in that area of the world right now.

Everyday, my news feeds that look for articles with "witch" as a tag, and I get a new article everyday about a village somewhere where men, women, and especially children not only have to hide it if they're not practicing Christians or Muslims, but they are often killed for their alternate beliefs. Some are also killed for no reason at all - just superstition. This is happening often to children in families where there isn't enough food for all the mouths. Sometimes, kids are extracted from their families and the entire community - kicked out and forced to find their own living in the wild and the streets - all because "someone" said they saw the child's spirit flying to meet the devil after dark.

Seriously, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Ifa got caught up in all the mass hysteria and superstition.

[Toby Stimpson]

well most Africans are Christians or Muslims anyways.

and Africa is such a huge place, is there a more specific area or country that you have heard this happening in?

I mean I can't really see this happening in mostly Muslim countries like Sudan or Somalia.

[Artiste-LiLi]

well most Africans are Christians or Muslims anyways.

and Africa is such a huge place, is there a more specific area or country that you have heard this happening in?

I mean I can't really see this happening in mostly Muslim countries like Sudan or Somalia.

Sadly people are killed in Muslim countries because of an accusation(sp) of witchcraft. Not so long ago I saw an article about a woman in Saudi Arabia who was going to be stoned to death for "crimes of witchcraft".

[Caitlin.ann]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it were true. With recent stories popping up in the news about people being accused of witchcraft being killed so visciously I wouldn't be surprised by this in the least.

[BlackLili]

Examples of Witchcraft in the News:

India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/Women_assaulted_for_practising_witchcraft/articleshow/3143853.cms)

MOTIHARI: The Areraj police on Wednesday arrested two persons - Sone Lal Prasad and Rambabu Prasad - of Janerawa village for allegedly thrashing a 60-year-old woman, Badami Devi, on charges of practising witchcraft. The duo and some other people also forced her to eat human excreta. Raids (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/Women_assaulted_for_practising_witchcraft/articleshow/3143853.cms#) are being conducted to arrest six persons.

South Africa (http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=795895)

A junior priest, Joel Mashimbyi, 64, allegedly accused his senior priest, and first priest of the church, Mzamani Samuel Ngoveni, 79, of practising witchcraft in the church.
Mashimbyi apparently told Ngoveni not to prepare the holy tea or to pray for the people. When Ngoveni asked Mashimbyi on what basis he was accusing him of witchcraft, he allegedly hit Ngoveni on the forehead and wrists with an iron rod.
On hearing that their father had been attacked, Ngoveni’s 17-year-old twin sons went to the church and allegedly attacked Mashimbyi with stones.


Swaziland (http://www.observer.org.sz/main.php?id=45365&section=main)

THE army has built a house for a man whose home was in March burnt down by arsonists who had accused him of practicing witchcraft at Lavumisa.
Nomona Mabuza (78) and a fellow traditional healer, Gomorrah Mhelwane Sibandze were accused of keeping 'zombies' or timphaka in their houses. It is said one of the zombies was seen emerging from Mabuza's house, something which enraged the community such that they burnt his homestead, including his consultation room, indumba.


Thailand (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/three-of-a-family-killed-for-practising-witchcraft_10065568.html)

Ranchi, June 28 (IANS) Three members of a family were beaten to death in a Jharkhand village after being accused of practising witchcraft, police said Saturday. The incident occurred late Friday night in Torpa block of Khuti district, around 90 km from Ranchi.

Orissa (http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=137453)

Notwithstanding increased literacy rate, superstition continues to grip minds in the tribal hinterland of Orissa where people, old and young, continue to be tortured and killed on the suspicion of practising witchcraft.

Ghana (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7498193.stm)

Police in Ghana are trying to reunite a teenage boy with his family after rescuing him from what they suspect was a ritual killing.
Two men have been given lengthy prison sentences for trying to sell the 16-year-old boy for $20,000 (£10,000).


I know these don't specifically pertain to Ifa, but I think my point is made. There's the same type of mass hysteria going on in these areas as the kind that prompted the Salem Witch trials and the burnings and hangings of the Inquisition.

I don't necessarily know that people are hiding that they practice Ifa specifically in favor of Christianity, but I'd guess that its easier to "fake" being a Christian than it is to fake being a Muslim, depending on clothing and whatnot.

[Toby Stimpson]

Sadly people are killed in Muslim countries because of an accusation(sp) of witchcraft. Not so long ago I saw an article about a woman in Saudi Arabia who was going to be stoned to death for "crimes of witchcraft".

I was talking about being forced to convert to Christianity, not about whether or not soemone was stoned or being killed for practicing witchcraft.

and, just a call for clarification. Isn't Ifa only practiced in some countries.

The reason ia asked originally was that Africa is a huge place and not all areas are Christian or Muslim, and Ifa is not not found in the entire continent. It's only found in West Africa. So Im a little confused how soemone being accused of practicing witchcraft in say Somalia or Keynya, or Mozambique, or Congo would secretly be practicing Ifa when it is a very specific thing from a certain region of the continent of Africa.

I aslo don't understand the connection between individuals being forced to convert to Christianity in order to obtain a job... and people from all over being killed for practicing witchcraft? I would think that if Yoruban traditional religion has survived in those societies this long and out in the open, then people aren't specifically targeting or labelling Ifa as witchcraft. Maybe I'm a bit confused :lol:

[Teresa]

I was talking about being forced to convert to Christianity, not about whether or not soemone was stoned or being killed for practicing witchcraft.

and, just a call for clarification. Isn't Ifa only practiced in some countries.

The reason ia asked originally was that Africa is a huge place and not all areas are Christian or Muslim, and Ifa is not not found in the entire continent. It's only found in West Africa. So Im a little confused how soemone being accused of practicing witchcraft in say Somalia or Keynya, or Mozambique, or Congo would secretly be practicing Ifa when it is a very specific thing from a certain region of the continent of Africa.

I aslo don't understand the connection between individuals being forced to convert to Christianity in order to obtain a job... and people from all over being killed for practicing witchcraft? I would think that if Yoruban traditional religion has survived in those societies this long and out in the open, then people aren't specifically targeting or labelling Ifa as witchcraft. Maybe I'm a bit confused :lol:

I was speaking of ATR in general and pointing out Ifa specifically because that is the one that I know of. This question stems from a conversation I overheard from some People from Africa that were having lunch with others that had been in the US a while.

[plumedsnake]

ON the subject of witchcraft and christianity check this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbDu0-K9cPk

Islam and christianity are strong in most places in Africa but then you've got to bear in mind that they are very vocal and proselytise constantly. Traditional religions just mind their own business. But they are strong too. Devotees know what they are getting out of the religion. However in since Churches and Mosque members are also in positions of importance in government and business, sometimes there is the added benefit of career progress for those who are christians or muslims.

[Teresa]

I watched the video, it is very sad that these things take place. Ola tells me that doesn't happen in Lagos they are pretty much open to all religions and people there do practice magic. He also said that many are Muslim or Christian. He also says that yes in some places the people with the higher positions are Muslim and Christian and they do seek to hire and promote their own religion over others.