THE SOCIAL DYNAMISM OF MAGIC AND WITCHCRAFT IN AFRICAN BELIEF SYSTEM: A CHRISTIAN APPRAISAL

Abstract

The act of witchcraft and magic rooted in a mysterious practice in African traditional culture has remained a controversial belief system in African societies from time immemorial. The problems created by witchcraft practices are numerous that one looking at it from the African worldview and Christian traditions would see nothing positive but negativities all the way. Findings showed that the controversial approach to witchcraft and magic has both positive and negative impact in African societies. Research reveals that majority of Africans do not portray the act of witchcraft and magic in a good light. For the church, witchcraft and magic is considered an occult and mystical practice. The controversy behind the phenomena of witchcraft and magic in Africa has made it difficult to investigate. However, this work is an attempt to explore and understand the act of witchcraft and magic in African traditional societies and Christian response to the controversial belief system. Phenomenological and analytic research method was adopted to gain more knowledge to the subject. By applying this method, it was discovered that witchcraft has some positive influences on the society amidst the numerous negative pictures that are being painted of it; It can be used to destroy and as well can be used to create or invent; can be used to inflict pain and sickness and can also be used to heal. Recommendations were made among others, that the various Christian organizations in African communities should be engaged in critical dialogue in order to address fears, misconceptions, and social issues driving witchcraft accusations.