Tricks or Treats

January 29, 2013 REL 2300 Instructor Jonathan Olson Tricks or Treats for African Children Witchcraft accusations in Africa is still a very serious matter. The witch is culturally understood to be the embodiment of evil and the cause of all misfortune, disease and death among the citizens of African countries and their varies communities. Consequently, the witch is the most hated person in African society and subjected to punishment, torture and even death. The victims of witchcraft accusations in African society have usually been the elderly, the disabled, albinos and anyone who was considered different. In recent years due to the impact of rapid urbanization, economic decline, as well as the HIV/AIDS pandemic, children have become more and more the victims of witchcraft accusations, especially orphans. Children that are victims of witchcraft accusations are more vulnerable than adult victims as they cannot defend themselves as they are confronted with physical and psychological abuse from their family and community. These, what nonbelievers of witchcraft view as innocent children are denounced as Satan made flesh by powerful pastors and prophetesses. Those children accused of witchcraft may be subjected to violent exorcism rituals by African Pentecostal and Charismatic pastors who mix Christianity with African witchcraft beliefs. Such exorcism may include incarceration, starvation and being made to drink hazardous substances. In other cases accused children are expelled and end up living on the streets, and are traded for the purpose of exploitation and in some instances they are even killed. All of these acts are done in the name of Jesus Christ states CRARN (Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network). African traditions date back to many centuries ago. Among their many ritual performances practiced, witchcraft still remains prominent in some cultures. As in passed documentation, children who were an outcast to their family and communities were accused of