- Title
- Witchcraft beliefs and fears in Malawi: an ethical-theological inquiry within the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Blantyre Synod
- Creator
- Chimenya, Austin Elias
- Subject
- Witchcraft -- Malawi
- Subject
- Presbyterian Church
- Date Issued
- 2015-06
- Date
- 2015-06
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25633
- Identifier
- vital:64345
- Description
- Witchcraft beliefs and fear has been a problem for many years in many societies throughout the world. This problem mainly affect old, women and children as they are mostly accused of witchcraft practice in many societies. Witchcraft beliefs and fear is a major problem in Africa as compared to Europe and America. Although Malawi boasts of over 75% of Christians, but witchcraft beliefs and fear still poses a big challenge. There are so many factors that contribute to witchcraft beliefs and fear in Malawi. Some of the major factors include; cultural factors, legal factors, religious factors, social factors and economic factors. This study aimed at establishing a theological and ethical approach to witchcraft beliefs and fear within the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod in Malawi. The study established that old people particularly women and the children largely are the victims of witchcraft accusations in Malawi. This revealed that these victimised people needs security support, spiritual support, economic support, legal support as well as social support. The study also established that those that were victimised due to witchcraft accusations are stigmatized by the society and the church as well. As a result of this, there has been unnecessary loss of lives and property. Further, those that are stigmatized have resorted to stop going to church. The problem of witchcraft beliefs and fear has influenced other people to be involved mob justice against the suspected witches. Although the society has used other means to stop witchcraft beliefs and fear but it has failed to end the problem. The church has also used disciplining those suspected to be practising witchcraft among other ways but no solution came out of the problem. As a result, gossip, hatred, loss of trust, un-forgiveness spirit continued to prevail. The data for this research came up with major themes as; cultural, social, religious, legal and economic problems. There was interviews from fifty individuals who were full members of CCAP Blantyre Synod in Malawi from the Presbyteries of Mulanje and Blantyre City with the purpose of getting views from rural and urban areas within the church. In order to minimise or end the problem of witchcraft beliefs and fear, the study came up with other ways as follows: Sound Biblical teaching is needed, Deliverance prayers should be introduced in the church, Building effective Sunday schools, intensifying counselling, lobbying Malawi Parliament to amend the Witchcraft Act and Provide financial support.
- Description
- Thesis (M.Th) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (xi, 138 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- University of Fort Hare
- Publisher
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
- Language
- English
- Rights
- rights holder
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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Collections
UFH Centre for Theology and Religion
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | AUSTIN ELIAS CHIMENYA-dissertation.pdf | 3 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |