Christianity and Witchcraft

AFRICA OUTREACH: OUR APPROACH TO CHRISTIANITY AND WITCHCRAFT

We believe that true Christianity in its original form as taught by Christ is a religion of love and compassion and not of violence and aggression.

We believe that true Christianity is shown in practical caring love for orphans, widows, the oppressed, the refugees, the sick, the weak, the children and other vulnerable groups in society.

We believe that true Christianity cannot be antagonistic against any human being as this does not agree with loving one’s neighbour as one-self and negates the explicit teaching of Jesus that we should love even our enemies.

We believe that forgiveness and compassion, and not revenge and retribution, are the hallmarks of a true follower of Christ.
In as far as witchcraft or any other spiritual power is concerned we believe that Christ is far superior in power than any other cosmic power in the Universe and able and willing to protect all that belong to Him.

We do not believe in generational curses, physical manifestations of demonic beings. We do not believe in demonic or satanic control over or manipulation of physical forces or events in the created order which is upheld and sustained by God. We believe that demonic spirits may in some cases influence people’s minds so that they experience such things spiritually as in a delusion or nightmare and that this may at times feel very real. This includes astral travel and other spiritual experiences. The Bible portrays Satan as a defeated enemy but who still has the ability to tempt, deceive and inspire false beliefs.

We do not believe that Christ only protects those who pray the right kind of prayer and/or conduct special Christian rituals. This is a magical way of thinking that has nothing to do with trusting Christ.

We do not believe that special prayers or actions by so-called men or women of God are any more powerful, for the power of prayer is with the one who answers prayer and Christ hears even the simple prayers of small children. The concept of spiritual power being subjected to and wielded certain religious specialists rather than equally available to all is a concept that has more in common with the magical traditions of other religions than with true Christianity.

We believe that true Christianity does not force anyone to believe in, or follow Christ. Christ invites people to follow Him. He invites people to be saved and does not force anyone!

We do not believe that Christian love is compatible with any form of emotional, psychological or spiritual manipulation, blackmail or any other form of coercion.

We believe that as Christians we should only judge (in love) those that call themselves followers of Christ as the Bible teaches in 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 we are not called to judge non-Christians, that judgement is up to God!!! Therefore we must allow those outside the Christian church to believe what they want, we are not called to judge them, we are only called to invite them to come to Christ so that they may be saved and become His followers.

We do not believe that Christianity should dictate to society how people should live, we can only invite and encourage.

We believe Church and state should be separated because as soon as the two get mixed Christianity gets compromised.

We believe in freedom of religion and belief in society, this includes the belief in other religions, in spirits, in witchcraft, ghosts, goblins and any other supernatural beings or events. It also includes the belief in any other non-religious ideology, including atheism. However, we do not believe that any religious belief or any other ideology is a justification for violence, harm, dispossession, discrimination, psychological or physical abuse, (self) incrimination, imprisonment, or murder.

We believe that it should not be a crime for anyone to believe that he or she is a witch or a magician or a Satanist. We also believe it should not be a crime for anyone to believe that he or she is a witch finder, witch doctor, traditional healer or any other type of magical or religious specialist. As Christians we believe that such people are the victims of false beliefs but at the same time we believe that they have equal rights as any other human being to believe what they want to believe.

We do not believe that the freedom of religion or belief means that one can commit a crime. We believe that any religious or ideological violence, harm, dispossession, discrimination, psychological or physical abuse, (self) incrimination, imprisonment, or murder should face the full wrath of the law.

We believe that any magistrate or judge who bases his ruling on supernatural evidence, including self-incrimination based on supernatural beliefs is incompetent and should be barred from the profession.

We believe that the state should immediately review all the cases of prisoners who have been convicted in cases that involve witchcraft allegations as there is growing evidence that most convictions have been staged and insufficient legal representation has been provided to the accused.

We believe that for the sake of the common good of its citizens the state should work towards educating the people to refrain from unlawful and harmful practices that take place under the guise of culture and religion.

We believe that Churches, FBOs, NGOs, CBOs and other non-state actors should be encouraged to complement the state in educating the people to refrain from unlawful and harmful practices that take place under the guise of culture and religion.

Notes:

Matthew 22:37-40

37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Romans 13:10

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13

12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.