Is Africa Cursed

[plavious]

Despite the abundance that God has given us, we still live in mystery. We lack even the basic(water), not to mention food, clothes and shelter. 

 

 

[luigi]

1 minute ago, plavious said:

Despite the abundance that God has given us, we still live in mystery. We lack even the basic(water), not to mention food, clothes and shelter. 

 

 

Very good question plavious,

When America first came into being we were a nation made up of people from around the globe. While there were differences and injustices, we were pretty much unified as one, and thereby accepting each others right to live (at least to some degree).  What I read about Africa, however, is that despite its abundance of natural resources, it is comprised of many nations in which various factions are killing other factions. In short, Africans lack of harmony with each other, divides them, and thus can be seen in this regard as being cursed. 

What is also interesting now plavious is that the United States seems poised to go this route of divisiveness with each other, and possibly secede into various factions.

[plavious]

4 minutes ago, luigi said:

Very good question plavious,

When America first came into being we were a nation made up of people from around the globe. While there were differences and injustices, we were pretty much unified as one, and thereby accepting each others right to live (at least to some degree).  What I read about Africa, however, is that despite its abundance of natural resources, it is comprised of many nations in which various factions are killing other factions. In short, Africans lack of harmony with each other, divides them, and thus can be seen in this regard as being cursed. 

What is also interesting now plavious is that the United States seems poised to go this route of divisiveness with each other, and possibly secede into various factions.

That is true. I come from Bangolan in Cameroon. Cameroon has 254 ethnic groups with 256 languages including English and French. It's either we are having chieftaincy crisis, Inter tribal war and now we have Anglophone crisis since 2016.

[R. Hartono]

Corruptions impoverish nations.

[Henry_iain]

My friend, I am an African too. So let us talk about his. You are right. One of the things I have often wondered about is why, in spite of having such an abundance of natural resources, do we still fall behind. Africa is a very big place and has a large population. The answer to this is very complex and has to do, I believe, with the following factors:

 

Africa's colonial past. Colonisation, whatever benefits it might have brought,  did more harm than good. Instead of working with the people, they oppressed and enslaved people. So many people in Africa resent the west and blame them for everything that goes wrong. People need to be freed from a colonial mindset , at least that is what I have found inn South Africa

Lack of education (especially biblical education). This is the key. A society that wants to become all it can become needs a solid education system with knowledgeable teachers and  willingness to learn.

Violence and disunity. Take South Africa, example. We have way too much violent crime and too many people fighting one another. I believe bloodshed has negative spiritual impact on a land. I also think that the fact that Africans are often so divided which  makes it hard for social cohesion to take place. This is critical because without some measure of "connectedness" there is not enough people to work on better infrastructure and other things that Africa really  needs

Cultural relativity and ancestor worship. Unfortunate;y this is a hard one. God cannot bless Africa as long as they hold on to their Culture rather than obeying God. There is no way around this. All our nations need to turn to God. (2 Chronicles 7) 

The need for better leadership. We have too many corrupt leaders who are only interested in enriching themselves. We need leaders who are willing to be a bit unpopular and also be willing to act upon their promises. Ramaphosa is such a leader and maybe the the leader of Rwanda. This means Africans themselves will need to be willing to do what is needed rather than what is easy 

 

Birth control. Generally I do not believe in overpopulation because I believe God doesn't make mistakes and everyone is born with a purpose. But in a more localised sense I think birth control is a necessary measure. There are too many hungry mouths to feed. Unfortunately this is a tough issue because it is hard to tell someone they can'd to something that a rich white person can do. 

 

I do not have answers too all these things and yet I have hope that if the church in Africa wakes up and starts to repent and turn to God, things can turn around.That's my take on it, but there is much than can be discussed on this issue still 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 26, 2020 by Henry_iain

[R. Hartono]

After the Colonial past the native corruptors now suck the blood of people as happen in my country.

[luigi]

33 minutes ago, plavious said:

That is true. I come from Bangolan in Cameroon. Cameroon has 254 ethnic groups with 256 languages including English and French. It's either we are having chieftaincy crisis, Inter tribal war and now we have Anglophone crisis since 2016.

At least I think you're not having what I read a couple of days ago about Nigeria, where muslim factions have been killing thousands of Christians. I wish you and yours luck and safety in our upcoming trials brother. Shalom.

Edited May 26, 2020 by luigi

[plavious]

11 minutes ago, Henry_iain said:

My friend, I am an African too. So let us talk about his. You are right. One of the things I have often wondered about is why, in spite of having such an abundance of natural resources, do we still fall behind. Africa is a very big place and has a large population. The answer to this is very complex and has to do, I believe, with the following factors:

 

Africa's colonial past. Colonisation, whatever benefits it might have brought,  did more harm than good. Instead of working with the people, they oppressed and enslaved people. So many people in Africa resent the west and blame them for everything that goes wrong. People need to be freed from a colonial mindset , at least that is what I have found inn South Africa

Lack of education (especially biblical education). This is the key. A society that wants to become all it can become needs a solid education system with knowledgeable teachers and  willingness to learn.

Violence and disunity. Take South Africa, example. We have way too much violent crime and too many people fighting one another. I believe bloodshed has negative spiritual impact on a land. I also think that the fact that Africans are often so divided which  makes it hard for social cohesion to take place. This is critical because without some measure of "connectedness" there is not enough people to work on better infrastructure and other things that Africa really  needs

Cultural relativity and ancestor worship. Unfortunate;y this is a hard one. God cannot bless Africa as long as they hold on to their Culture rather than obeying God. There is no way around this. All our nations need to turn to God. (2 Chronicles 7) 

The need for better leadership. We have too many corrupt leaders who are only interested in enriching themselves. We need leaders who are willing to be a bit unpopular and also be willing to act upon their promises. Ramaphosa is such a leader and maybe the the leader of Rwanda. This means Africans themselves will need to be willing to do what is needed rather than what is easy 

 

Birth control. Generally I do not believe in overpopulation because I believe God doesn't make mistakes and everyone is born with a purpose. But in a more localised sense I think birth control is a necessary measure. There are too many hungry mouths to feed. Unfortunately this is a tough issue because it is hard to tell someone they can'd to something that a rich white person can do. 

 

I do not have answers too all these things and yet I have hope that if the church in Africa wakes up and starts to repent and turn to God, things can turn around.That's my take on it, but there is much than can be discussed on this issue still 

 

 

 

 

@Henry_iain, I agree with most of your points but for colonization. Am Cameroonian and we celebrated 60years of independence.  Does it mean that for 60 years after independence we cannot still think of something good for ourselves. 

How will a single person embezzlement 300billion from a government whose budget is not up to that amount. It's not the colonial master embezzling. I have know of one president since I was born and as of now, I don't know if he is death or alive. 

The church is a slippery ground in Africa. Church is a business and it takes the grace of God to be able to locate a christ believing church. How can the same building host 3 churches. How will a pastor preach against a fellow pastor in church?

We need to wake up, stop the blame game and if every individual takes action toward our dear continent, things will change.

[plavious]

3 minutes ago, luigi said:

At least I think you're not having what I read a couple of days ago about Nigeria, where muslim factions have been killing thousands of Christians. I wish you and yours luck and safety in our upcoming trials brother. Shalom.

@luigi, that is not common in Cameroon but we have Boko Haram caming in and kidnapping in Northern Cameroon.  Amen 

[luigi]

7 minutes ago, plavious said:

@luigi, that is not common in Cameroon but we have Boko Haram caming in and kidnapping in Northern Cameroon.  Amen 

Warn your brothers and sisters. Amen