Henry Settimba

African Christianity Thrives Under the Shadow of Traditional Beliefs Henry Settimba

There is widespread fear of a resurgence of ritualistic human sacrifice in many parts of Africa and this situation looks as though it will continue to cause fierce doubt among rational thinkers. It is argued that the ghosts of the 1930s have returned. The author seeks to establish whether there is any link between ritual murder and the historical, traditional religious beliefs that were abolished during the missionary period and are today argued by elderly respondents as being the source of the resurgence of ritual murder, related to suppressed beliefs and wider economic influences. This book will address the key issues relevant to this context systematically, such as the acceptability of corruption in cultural development, the impact of the deterioration in moral values and the problem of faking culture as an assumed means of success. The impact of changes in society will also be analysed and considered as a question that should guide national developments in the global influence of commercialisation and fear. The author examines how (European) missionary teaching abolished every existing African belief and value, which were the bonds that united people. As a result of annihilating these beliefs and values, communities descended into immorality, corruption and lack of communal responsibility. This book is a unique and valuable resource for the churches and for secular groups concerned with the way in which ritualistic beliefs are increasingly endangering human lives and have led to a worsening moral deterioration in society in general.