I don't think you understand what I am saying. How much of the medicine and infastructure in Africa is from international aid or funding? Also, I am not saying Africa needs anything from the West.... the West has done huge damage to Africa and continues to do so. I do not however think that Africa needs missionaries with agendas coming and telling them what to believe and how to live.
I have been to Africa a number of times in college and for work as well. I am under no illusions that all of Africa is a Sally Struthers commercial. Currently half of Kenya lives below the poverty level. Food prices are a serious concern as well.
I'm sure there are some like that, but in my experience with missionaries, that's not what they tend to do. They tend to go live in communities, teach useful skills, and share what they believe. And they learn from the local population too - it's simply the nature of human experience of two people or two groups meeting and sharing their what they know. If the indigenous people find it appealing and interesting, they continue to share; if not, the missionaries don't stop caring for those people. There's no telling them what to believe or how to live or any type of quid-pro-quo where they provide medicine or whatever only if you agree to learn about Jesus.
Negative influence of Catholicism on AIDS prevention in Africa http://www.consultancyafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1135:the-catholic-church-versus-hivaids-in-africa-&catid=61:hiv-aids-discussion-papers&Itemid=268
The article is from 2004. There are lots of bad things that happen in Africa. True Christianity doesn't EVER teach to hunt someone because they practice witchcraft. For example, while living in Kenya in 2010. Our neighbor was a practicing n'gonga or "witch doctor". He was a nice guy and we would frequently talk to him. He has a stepson who became really good friends with my missionary friend's oldest son and they would play all of the time together. We even went over to his house for his stepson's birthday party. He also allows his step-son to come to church with his friend, the missionary kid. While attending church after several months the young man trusted Christ as his savior. His parents were ok with it and he was even baptized at the church. His parents will come every now and then, but their son continues to go to church and we all seem to have nice relationships together. No witch hunt there.
We teach that sex should be inside of marriage, but we do not agree with the Catholic church about the use of condoms. We believe God gave a us a mind to use common sense. My wife and I used birth control at the beginning of our marriage, because we were not ready to have a child yet. Now that we have a kid, we are back on birth control, because we want to space our kids apart by about 3-4 years. Other than that, there are a few things I disagree with the Catholic church about.
Nobody is saying that all converted Christians do witch-hunts. But to the ones that does, they are influence by their Christian beliefs. Since the article is 2004, it does not have any merit? Would this be recent enough for you? ... http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/us/22beliefs.html?_r=0
Pentecostalism is a scourge in Africa. I don't consider some of the teachings of the group as biblical. But yes I will take the blame for them if need be, because of the word Christianity.
It's not about your Church or theirs. It is about pushing or proselytizing your beliefs on others which can lead to negative consequences.
The New Testament doesn't teach hunting witches. That is something a group has taught that isn't in the bible. I stick to what the bible teaches about Christ and living a good Christian life.
“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” – Exodus 22:1 This is where Christians need to get their story straight. They will make statements where that is not in the new testament and yet another Christian sect will justify their views on gays using Leviticus. And this is exactly what is happening in Africa. You can take the bible and justify any hideous action you want as you can find that in either to the old or new testament. Sorry to derail this but this will be my last response to the subject.
Secular groups do plenty of things that have negative consequences too, no matter how good intentioned. Is that really a valid criticism of the missionary practice? Just look if there's anything negative that happens and say that it's bad because of that?
I am right alongside in my disgust of many "christian" sects use of the bible. It is appalling. I am very sorry for the things these groups have done. I know that the things they have and are doing; Jesus never had any hand in it. It happens on all sides though. You have groups that use evolution and science for their own evil bidding.
If you look at it a point of view that missionaries have script that they have to follow while secular groups don't - yes it is a valid criticism. The main purpose of a secular group is to help. Missionaries help AND preach. The preaching part is what is being questioned here.
Except they don't have script they have to follow. Like any other group of people, missionaries come in all styles, types, etc. They have different approaches, they do different things, etc. Some don't even peach at all. Why? Secular groups don't strictly help either, at least not if they are well run. They integrate into the community, share their values & beliefs, make friends, teach, learn, etc. The only difference is that you don't like one group's values.
Yes they do. It's generally called "Spreading the word" I thought we are talking about groups that provide assistance so in that sense, secular groups intended to help, do try to that. Whether they are successful or not is a different story. Please provide an example where a secular group shared their beliefs.
Christianity is turning people off because it is losing relevance. It's something rooted in the past that doesn't match with the world we live in anymore. Knowledge contradicts a literal interpretation of the bible. And since the Bible can not change to fit modern times, it becomes irrelevant going forward. Something else will come to replace it. But I think most religions are losing relevance. Probably some new age crap will become the new standard bearer of religion by the year 3,000.
