Investigate these religious zealots

Apr 02, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
It struck me quite oddly how a parent could allow her grandchild to be physically abused in such a way that probably caused death in the process, then afterwards, call for a probe into the matter.
It was indeed another sad article to read of our womenfolk dying everyday in this country. I was sickened by the young girl who, to my view, went through intense torment by the so-called conmen, and went to her death when her body could not take it anymore.
The sad thing about this story is that it took place in the outskirts of major populated areas and literally behind closed doors (in a church). I can already see a cover-up in the making.
Just how much can Guyanese take by being offered this and that from these fake pastors and spiritual healers? It’s an established fact that these fake persons establish their “businesses” far away from city centres, in small communities with pockets of naïve people desperate for anyone who can offer them “attention” and a better life — and oh yes — miracles! I witnessed a similar episode at the Vryman’s Erven High School in Berbice a few months ago. Again, a pastor (who happened to be the child’s uncle) was summoned some half an hour after “possession” episodes.
He poured some kind of oil down the young lady’s throat and, with the help of another member, pressed against the child’s genital — just as described in the newspapers on Wednesday (31-03-10).
After about an hour and a half of “getting nowhere” and understanding that the “demon” was not about to let go of this child that easily, he decided that the church was the best place for her. Of course, it was one of these ‘cake shop’ churches, one of thousands we have in Guyana today — and our authorities seem to care not one bit at these “activities” which go on in these churches involving Guyanese who are lured by various methods to attend.
I mean, who ever heard of Christ Ambassadors Church in Guyana before? These bottom house churches credit their beginnings by the sick ideas of maybe one or two people “touched by the Word” and preaching crap to people who dish out monies at the crusades. Before you know it, a building is erected and the “followers” start to multiply — stupid, naïve, and desperate people who would do anything that these preachers tell them to do, even (as we saw in this case) at the expense of themselves or their loved ones. It’s sickening!
Government needs to clamp down on these ceremonies which are held every single day in tiny rural communities (urban too) where persons are being exorcised and such.
Do you know that there is a religious cult in New Amsterdam? Many have claimed to have witnessed the spectacle of persons being prayed upon after which these persons would throw up their stomachs in dramatic vomiting sessions.
But the pastor and relatives in this current story seemed unquestionably sure that the girl was demon possessed. But what if she was psychologically traumatized or affected? How do we know that many of these ‘demon-possessed’ cases are not psychologically or mentally related? Many of us would remember the case of the girls in Santa Rosa a year or so ago. The Catholic Church is never eager to rush into exorcisms carefully noting that these things must be investigated properly first.
In fact, when all fails, the Church might request an exorcism and not any priest can perform that ‘spiritual battle’ with the devil. I am amazed how this Government can allow all these fake men to practice their mumbo-jumbo in this country in full view of all. We have obeah men showing advertisements on the TV and in the newspapers classified sections too. “Spiritual help hand and palm readings, Dutch baths, fix love, etc, etc, etc.” are some of the things we see.
Many Guyanese who are desperate for external measures and interventions turn to these forces for help. Like the grandparents at Canal, West Demerara, only pain, hurt, anguish — and finally death can be the results. For many of us, the hard way is the only way we will learn.
We open our lives and our loved ones to these forces, and we bring our own downfalls.
Why ask for a police investigation when the family members of that poor girl know full well that what happened resulted from their own thoughtless actions?
The pastor must not get away with this.
Leon J. Suseran

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Investigate these religious zealots

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