Weird and Religious
In parts of Southern Africa, traditional healers called sangomas are believed to be chosen by ancestors through illness or disturbing dreams. Training involves learning to communicate with spirits, interpret bones thrown on the ground, and diagnose spiritual causes of problems.
Religious image of the day.
In the name of religion
2000, Maluku and Sulawesi in Indonesia. Continued clashes between Christian and Muslim militias involved bombings, village burnings, and killings. Each side justified attacks as defence of churches or mosques, protecting believers, and resisting religious encroachment.
Fact
In Judaism, community life is emphasised, and Judaism gathers people for worship, study, and shared observance in synagogues.
Prophets or politicians?
What is striking is how ordinary prophets look once the divine coating is removed. They argue, negotiate, threaten, desire, and react like anyone else placed in a position of absolute authority. They are not moral outliers. They are power holders. The difference is that their power is framed as sacred rather than political, which makes it harder to resist and easier to abuse. Religion asks that these figures be admired, imitated, and obeyed. It discourages the most basic question of all. Why this person. Why this voice. Why these rules. Once those questions are allowed, the pattern becomes obvious. Gods do not choose messengers. Humans choose leaders, and some leaders learn that claiming a god is the most effective way to secure obedience.
Quote of the day
“Faith is the great cop out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence.” Richard Dawkins.
Ask the right question
Why would a designer use the same anatomical flaws, such as the blind spot in the eye or the risk of choking due to a shared airway, in so many species?
Religious Crooks
T. B. Joshua was a Nigerian televangelist and faith healer who built a large international ministry, widely accused by critics and former members of staged healings and financial exploitation, while maintaining a devoted following.
For more information, google the name.
Every country in the world has its fair share of spiritual crooks.
Throughout history and still to this day, there has never been a shortage of religious leaders who were not always following their own spiritual advice.