Freethought & Rationalism Archive

02-22-2003, 05:22 PM

Quote:

BRAZZAVILLE, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Congolese villagers have stoned and beaten to death four teachers accused of casting an evil spell to cause an outbreak of the deadly Ebola disease that has killed nearly 70 people, a local official said Friday.

The outbreak of Ebola in the districts of Kelle and Mbomo near the central African country's northern border with Gabon is thought by scientists to have been caused by the consumption of infected monkey meat.

But many locals believe occult forces are at work.

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Linda · 02-22-2003, 08:03 PM

atheist_in_foxhole:

The subject matter of this post is important and, I think, too serious, for ~~Elsewhere~~. I am moving it to GRD where it may get more responses.

Spaz · 02-22-2003, 08:07 PM

What the hell is wrong with people?

oriecat · 02-22-2003, 08:10 PM

That is terrible.

My friend was in the Peace Corps in Cameroon about 7 years ago. She would tell us how the locals didn't trust the people who came in trying to stop the AIDS epidemics. They believed that the condoms that were given to them to try and stop the spreading, actually were infected with the virus TO spread it. (If I said that so it made sense.) It's amazing the superstitions that people will adhere to.

Amie · 02-22-2003, 10:37 PM

Regarding "superstitious" people: I feel that anytime a belief causes a propensity to harm another human being in any way, either physically or emotionally then it is time to abandon that belief or at the very least re-evaluate how and why it has manifested itself in such a damaging way in ones life and attempt to change ones thought process. Religiously stemmed beliefs should be a positive and not a negative in ones life.

Asha'man · 02-23-2003, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Amie
Regarding "superstitious" people: I feel that anytime a belief causes a propensity to harm another human being in any way, either physically or emotionally then it is time to abandon that belief or at the very least re-evaluate how and why it has manifested itself in such a damaging way in ones life and attempt to change ones thought process. Religiously stemmed beliefs should be a positive and not a negative in ones life.

Amie, I agree with your statement wholeheartedly. And I'm really glad to be able to say that.

So, given the violence in Northern Ireland, should the Catholic and Protestant traditions be abandoned? Given the violence in Israel and Palestine, should Islam and Judaism be abandoned? All across India, Moslem and Hindu are doing tit-for-tat killings, isn't it time for that to stop?

Everywhere in the world, people are fighting and killing over religious and superstitious beliefs. This is the one reason that I am unwilling to respect those beliefs, even when held privately.

Ojuice5001 · 02-23-2003, 08:41 AM

Deleted; sounds too much like I'm defending them. (Which I'm not!)

Magazine · 02-23-2003, 09:14 AM

I think if these people had a greater appreciation of the values of either the Virgin Mary or the singer Madonna, this wouldn't have happened. Both are great inspirations to the world, and these people probably didn't appreciate either.

Muad'Dib · 02-23-2003, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oriecat
That is terrible.

My friend was in the Peace Corps in Cameroon about 7 years ago. She would tell us how the locals didn't trust the people who came in trying to stop the AIDS epidemics. They believed that the condoms that were given to them to try and stop the spreading, actually were infected with the virus TO spread it.

I've heard that at one point there were European settlers in the Americas who would give blankets to Native Americans, not telling them that the blankets had been exposed to people infected with smallpox. This practice helped the disease ravage the native population.

Of course we haven't infected condoms with AIDS and we can't cast an "Ebola spell" (??), but I wonder, without having any real information, how many of these tragedies in the Third World are caused not by superstition so much as a general distrust of Western culture (including science). How much credibility do we have with these people? Do they think we're always looking out for their best interests?

ajm51987 · 02-23-2003, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Muad'Dib
I've heard that at one point there were European settlers in the Americas who would give blankets to Native Americans, not telling them that the blankets had been exposed to people infected with smallpox. This practice helped the disease ravage the native population.

Thats about right.

"On another note Kent, this paper mache statue is completly made out of broken treaties"

"Heh heh, they're good sports"

Back on to superstition, I can't say im surprised, I mean to these people, it must seem pretty logical.

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02-22-2003, 08:03 PM	#2
Linda Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 932	atheist_in_foxhole: The subject matter of this post is important and, I think, too serious, for ~~Elsewhere~~. I am moving it to GRD where it may get more responses.

02-22-2003, 08:07 PM	#3
Spaz Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: 6th Circle of Hell Posts: 1,093	What the hell is wrong with people?

02-22-2003, 08:10 PM	#4
oriecat Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Portland OR USA Posts: 1,098	That is terrible. My friend was in the Peace Corps in Cameroon about 7 years ago. She would tell us how the locals didn't trust the people who came in trying to stop the AIDS epidemics. They believed that the condoms that were given to them to try and stop the spreading, actually were infected with the virus TO spread it. (If I said that so it made sense.) It's amazing the superstitions that people will adhere to.

02-22-2003, 10:37 PM	#5
Amie Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: New York Posts: 1,626	Regarding "superstitious" people: I feel that anytime a belief causes a propensity to harm another human being in any way, either physically or emotionally then it is time to abandon that belief or at the very least re-evaluate how and why it has manifested itself in such a damaging way in ones life and attempt to change ones thought process. Religiously stemmed beliefs should be a positive and not a negative in ones life.

02-23-2003, 08:41 AM	#7
Ojuice5001 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: A city in Florida that I love Posts: 3,416	Deleted; sounds too much like I'm defending them. (Which I'm not!)

02-23-2003, 09:14 AM	#8
Magazine Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 40	I think if these people had a greater appreciation of the values of either the Virgin Mary or the singer Madonna, this wouldn't have happened. Both are great inspirations to the world, and these people probably didn't appreciate either.

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