Large Number of African Christians Mixing Their Beliefs with Occultism

by Aaron Leichman, The Christian Post

AFRICA - About one in every four Christian in sub-Sahara Africa believes sacrifices to spirits or ancestors can protect them from bad things happening, according to the results of a recently released, 19-country survey on religious attitudes in Africa.

“Sizable percentages of both Christians and Muslims - a quarter or more in many countries - say they believe in the protective power of juju (charms or amulets),” reported the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life, the behalf of which the survey was conducted on.

In Tanzania and South Africa – where 60 percent and 87 percent of respondents, respectively, claimed to be Christian – more than half the people surveyed (60 percent and 56 percent, respectively) said they believe that sacrifices to ancestors or spirits can protect them from harm.

“Many people also say they consult traditional religious healers when someone in their household is sick, and sizable minorities in several countries keep sacred objects such as animal skins and skulls in their homes and participate in ceremonies to honor their ancestors,” the Pew Forum added.

Conducted in more than 60 languages from December 2008 to April 2009, Pew’s survey gathered information from more than 25,000 people on topics including religious affiliation, commitment to Christianity and Islam, traditional African religious beliefs and practices, interreligious harmony and tensions, and religion and society.

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