Christians killing kids

Today I read an appalling article on MSNBC about Christians killing children in Africa because they are suspected of being witches. Click Here to read the full article.

(Picture copied from the MSNBC article)

It's so sad that this would be done in the name of Christ. This is a perfect example of tribal people combining their traditional worldview with Christian beliefs. Africans have a very spiritual understanding of the world. When something happens that they don't understand they typically look for a spiritual reason for it. Unfortunately, as this story explains, they often go on a "witch hunt" to find the reason for sickness, or poverty, or misfortune. I've never heard of this happening by Christians in South Africa, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did happen there. I have heard of traditional healers in South Africa killing children to use their body parts for traditional ceremonies. Only Christ will set them free of this mentality.

A part of this problem is the "prosperity gospel" that has become so prevalent in Africa. Extremely poor people have bought into the notion that following God will make you wealthy and healthy. When this doesn't happen they look for witches that have prevented this promised prosperity. It is a very twisted and distorted understanding of scripture that power hungry men preach in order to gain followers. Yet another reason that I can't stand the "prosperity gospel."
- Lincoln