Uganda - "Where child sacrifice is a business"

[Darat]

Just read this article about child sacrifice in Uganda: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15255357

I knew that it went on but did not realise how widespread it was and how it is actively ignored by the authorities. This is also the country that many of its citizens want legislation to be passed that would punish homosexuality with the death penalty - very disturbing priorities.

 

[Cayvmann]

Since superstition is the problem, maybe religion can save them. ( I have whiplash )

Horrible stuff.

 

[lionking]

This is what happens when an African country's economy starts to improve? Is there any hope for countries like Uganda?

 

[MRC_Hans]

This is what happens when an African country's economy starts to improve? Is there any hope for countries like Uganda?

I think this is what can happen when a country/culture is moved too fast into a modern market economy. Without the governing structures following suit, things can get out of had, and the only thing that speaks is money.

Hans

 

[Skepticemea]

I think this is what can happen when a country/culture is moved too fast into a modern market economy. Without the governing structures following suit, things can get out of had, and the only thing that speaks is money.
Hans

I can't believe that child sacrifice appears to be prevalent because people want Nikes.

 

[SpuriusMaximus]

No, it's because they want money.

 

[Skepticemea]

No, it's because they want money.

That is an educational issue rather than a financial one, though, surely, as well as being a criminal act? The murder of children should be anathema to any healthy mind.

 

[Eddie Dane]

This is what happens when an African country's economy starts to improve? Is there any hope for countries like Uganda?

Sure,

They just need a strong leader to take control and set things straight.
Maybe some guy with a military background (only way to get power) and a strong connection with a Western military.

That should work. Oh wait.

 

[aggle-rithm]

People who embrace wooish beliefs deride science for dehumanizing us all...but I know of no scientific or logical endeavor that could possibly lead to something like this.

 

[Ivor the Engineer]

People who embrace wooish beliefs deride science for dehumanizing us all...but I know of no scientific or logical endeavor that could possibly lead to something like this.

Dr. Josef Mengele.

 

[arthwollipot]

It's certainly not helped by American evangelical preachers.

 

[WildCat]

I don't think you can blame this one on the preachers.

 

[arthwollipot]

Maybe not directly.

 

[WildCat]

Maybe not directly.

Nor indirectly.

 

[Rasmus]

Dr. Josef Mengele.

I don't think the two really compare. What Mengele did at least worked, just as nuclear bombs work. Child sacrifice is not going to magically make the murderer rich, though.

Mengele had no regard for human life, but he did not murder people in an attempt to make a philosophers' stone or something, did he?

 

[arthwollipot]

Nor indirectly.

I blame American evangelicals for a lot of things. They have been responsible for nurturing a culture where witchcraft is real. So no, in these particular cases they are not directly involved. But you can't rule out the indirect effect of fostering belief in witchcraft.

 

[Skepticemea]

I blame American evangelicals for a lot of things. They have been responsible for nurturing a culture where witchcraft is real. So no, in these particular cases they are not directly involved. But you can't rule out the indirect effect of fostering belief in witchcraft.

American evangelicals are responsible for the spread of witchcraft belief?

 

[Professor Yaffle]

American evangelicals are responsible for the spread of witchcraft belief?

Yes.

A recent rise in the number of people accused of witchcraft—particularly African children—isn't just an issue for missionaries to address, say scholars. It's also a problem they may be contributing to.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/march/warningonwitches.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/18/african-children-denounce_n_324943.html

http://www.pctii.org/cyberj/cyberj10/onyinah.html

 

[Skepticemea]

Blimey!

 

[SpuriusMaximus]

That is an educational issue rather than a financial one, though, surely, as well as being a criminal act? The murder of children should be anathema to any healthy mind.

Well, then it just shows that the kind who sees money, money, money as the only goal and thing that matters, is not that kind of healthy mind. If getting someone killed is the way to get more money, hey, of course they'll go with the getting money.

(Which, in case you missed that from the article is WHY they sacrifice children: because that strong magic is supposed to bring the success and money, precious money. They're not killed to appease some spirits of nature or whatever. it's some businessmen paying to have some children brutally butchered, in the hope that that sacrifice will make them more successful in business and wealthier.)

Feel free to imagine that kind of valuing money more than a child's life is only so in Uganda, if it makes you feel any better

Though, yes, education would help.