Bartholomew's Notes

One of the stranger stories from Uganda continues; the New Vision reports:

 Two pastors at the centre of homosexual allegations against their colleague, Robert Kayira [sic], were yesterday interrogated by the Police on charges of criminal trespass.

Pastor Michael Kyazze and his assistant Robert Kayira of Omega Healing Centre were interrogated at the Kampala Central Police Station.

That first mention of Kayira is an unfortunate and confusing typo – the author means Robert Kayanja, who had been deounced by Kayira and Kyazze at the behest of another powerful Pentecostal figure:

The pastors were accompanied by Pastor Martin Ssempa of Makerere Community Church and Solomon Male of Arise for Christ.

Kayanja enjoys strong political links in the country, and his accusers have been arrested for allegedly setting him up.

The incident should embarrass the pastors’ American contacts; as I blogged back in May, Kayanja has long-standing links with Benny Hinn, while Ssempa (who held a high-profile anti-gay rally in 2007) works closely with Rick Warren; Warren’s wife has described him as her “brother”.

Meanwhile, there is a wider context, as Uganda discusses a proposed “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” (that’s its official name) which is so wide-ranging and draconian the word “totalitarian” is appropriate.

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From the Buffalo News:

County Executive Chris Collins has apologized to [New York State] Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver after comparing him to Adolf Hitler and an “Antichrist” during remarks at Saturday evening’s Erie County Republican dinner at the Adam’s Mark Hotel.

In a story first reported by the New York Daily News, the county executive — who is exploring a run for governor next year — referred to French seer Nostradamus’ predictions that the world would experience three Antichrists before the Apocalypse. He then said it’s generally accepted the first was Napoleon, the second Hitler, and was “pretty sure” the third is Silver — an orthodox Jew.

Buffalo blogger Alan Bedenko has some sage advice:

It’s probably a bad idea for any politician to discuss the prophecies of Nostradamus at any political event, if the politician intends to be taken seriously. Even if it’s a joke. It’s an even worse idea to suggest that a contemporary political figure is the third in the trilogy of anti-Christs prophesied by Nostradamus; Napoleon and Hitler widely regarded as the first two. To suggest that an Orthodox Jewish New York State politician is the anti-Christ is a failure of massive proportions.

Bad taste aside, it’s depressing that the idea that Nostradamus mystically predicted any future event remains “generally accepted”, given that Nostradamus has been thoroughly debunked. Century 8 Quatrain1 mentions three towns near Nostradamus’ childhood home: Pau, Nay, and Loron (Oloron) – believers insist this is in fact “Napoleon”, as well as, for good measure, “Apollyon”. Century 2 Quatrain 24 and Century 4 Quatrain 68 both mention the Ister, an old name for part of the river Danube, which the credulous take to be a reference to “Hitler”. It’s all nonsense imposed on the text, like Walid Shoebat seeing the Arabic words “In the name of Allah” encoded in the Book of Revelation or Joel Richardson seeing the rise of Islam predicted in the Book of Daniel.

Meanwhile, some Christian fundamentalists – in particular John Hagee and the late Jerry Falwell – have warned of a coming Jewish Anti-Christ; and in their cases, they were not joking…

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Come Saturday, there will be at least four groups protesting in central London:

(1) Islam4UK. They write:

On 31st October 2009, at approximately 1 pm, Muslims will be marching in a spectacular procession in support of Shari’ah law.  Never before has such an event taken place in the United Kingdom, as thousands of Muslims plan to take to the heart of the Capital and demand the full implementation of Shari’ah law… This march will begin from the Houses of Parliament, followed by 10 Downing Street and culminate in Trafalgar Square, to let the people of Britain know that Islam and Shari’ah is coming to them very, very, soon….

This is, of course, just the latest in a long line of stunts by the small cadre of fundamentalists grouped around Anjem Choudary.

(2) The English Defence League. According to a video message on Paul Ray’s website (sic for spellings):

London October 31st is a pivotol moment in our modern history and could change the course of history. Sharia law and militant Islam have no place upon English soil. There is a counter protest to Anjem Choudary that starts at 12 in Picadilly Circus. But if you cant make that then descend on Picadilly Circus in protest after the football.

The official EDL website adds:

Whilst British troops have been fighting and dying, your Members of Parliament have submitting inappropriate expense claims for duck islands, porn films and luxurious second homes. Their obscene behaviour had to be leaked to the press before some of them reluctantly repaid the money taken from tax-payers.

They have also bailed-out the fat-cats, the privileged few, in the City with hundreds of billions of pounds of tax-payers money whilst leaving 2.47 million British people to rot unemployed, or on unliveable wages.

In the absence of effective Government the English Defence League has been forced to rise up.

If you share the EDL’s values please attend the peaceful demonstrations at Leeds City Square at 1pm on Saturday 31st October 2009, and also at London Piccadilly Circus at 12pm on the same day.

The EDL had originally declined to endorse the London event, and one would have thought that Paul Ray’s recent alliance with a man who glorifies Northern Irish Loyalist groups would have made the organisation even less inclined to be associated with Ray’s “St George Division”. However, apparently an “EDL London” group has now come onto the scence, making it official.

(3) Muslims4UK. According to their website:

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This is a guest post by British Muslims for Secular Democracy – RB

British Muslims for Secular Democracy today announces the launch of its plans to organise a demonstration on Saturday 31st October to counter a demonstration by Al Muhajiroun, at which they will call for the abolition of democracy in Britain and the imposition of Shariah Law on all.

That demonstration has been called by Islam 4 UK – a successor organisation to Al Muhajiroun.

British Muslims for Secular Democracy are organising the counter demonstration, bringing together a number of religious and non-religious groups.

Shaaz Mahboob, vice-chair of British Muslims for Secular Democracy says:

Our counter-demonstration is based on our belief in, and commitment to, those liberal values that define the British state, including legal and constitutional equality for all, equal rights for women and minorities, and religious freedom, including the right to be free of faith.

We have produced a video that explains why we’re demonstrating:

Please join us via our website, and via our Facebook page.

Invite your friends, help get the word out, and see you in Piccadilly Circus, 1 pm, Saturday 31 October.

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August:

October:

Back in January, it was shown that freelance “terror expert” Glen Jenvey had been making bogus postings to Muslim web forums which he would then use as evidence of Muslim extremism to generate stories in tabloid newspapers. The initial evidence was discovered by Tim Ireland, and confirmed by an audio recording in which Jenvey admitted to using a particular on-line alias. That audio recording was passed to Tim and me by Dominic Wightman for his own purposes; he told us that it had been made by Charlie Flowers, of a music group known as the Fighting Cocks (I’ve blogged on both these characters here and here).

Tim’s discovery led to reports in the Guardian and Private Eye (in the latter case without acknowledging Tim’s work), and in May doubts about Jenvey were mentioned in passing in a Daily Mail article about anti-Muslim protests in Luton. Jenvey was greatly offended and upset by this Mail piece – he made a video threatening to kill himself outside the newspaper’s offices, and shortly afterwards he announced his conversion to Islam and a new association with the Islamic extremists around Anjem Choudary. His new Islamic identity was remarkably crude, and he railed bitterly against Jews and Israelis. He explained that he had created a story about British Jews being targeted by Muslim extremists in revenge for military action in Gaza (the story which brought him to Tim’s attention) because he wanted British Jews to share the fear felt by Palestinians; this was a somewhat problematic explanation, as this was several months before his conversion to Islam and he was on record as being very pro-Israeli.

And now – not entirely unexpectedly – he’s switched back again. In a video which he posted to Liveleak and then pulled (but which can still be seen in Google cache), he explains that the whole business was an exercise  in infiltration, as a result of which he now knows more about Muslim extremists in Wiltshire and Hampshire, the area of the UK in which he lives (although he also met lots of moderates). He also claims he had to undertake this subterfuge because the security services are “clueless” and “institutionally racist”. He kisses a crucifix, mentions the fact that he is gay, and tells us that during his undercover period he would read the Koran while drinking beer and speak to Omar Bakri on the phone while eating a bacon sandwich and drinking wine.  He also says he has been working for “an MP and a diplomat” – presumably a reference to Patrick Mercer MP, who has lately been keen to distance himself from his past association with Jenvey. We’re promised more information when he has written his book.

This is not the first time Jenvey has done this: a few years ago he ran a pro-Jihadi website to generate interest from Islamic extremists, which he then replaced with the message that “Jehad is crap” followed by an attack on the national identity of Palestinians.

UPDATE: Now on YouTube:

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Talk to Action draws attention to the following event:

Pastor John Hagee’s endorsement of John McCain in 2008 was famously repudiated by the presidential candidate after Talk to Action‘s Bruce Wilson uncovered a sermon in which Hagee described Hitler as a “hunter” sent by God to persuade Jews that they needed to establish the State of Israel. It also came to light that Hagee considers that both Karl Marx and Adolf Hitler were effective tools of Satan because of their supposed Jewish heritage (a long-debunked legend in Hitler’s case), and that he considers bankers such as the Rothschilds to be part of a New World Order conspiracy. Against this, Hagee maintains that he highly supportive of Jews and respectful of Judaism, but as I argued at the time:

it’s clear that Hagee’s philo-Semitism collapses in on itself: Hagee sees Jews not as real three-dimensional people, but simply as instruments in a divine drama. Those Jews who act according to God’s script receive Hagee’s regard and support, but the logic of his theology means that the Jew who strays from the path – such as Marx, the Rothschilds, and, erm, Hitler – potentially becomes a uniquely effective tool of Satan. Thus, like the late Jerry Falwell, Hagee teaches that the anti-Christ will be at least “partly” Jewish.

Hagee co-opts old anti-Jewish conspiracy theories while expressing support for Jews. But this just means that the essential anti-Jewish element of these theories is currently (more or less) dormant – and Hagee’s “paranoid style” is inseparable from an irrational hatred of minority groups. The possibility remains that Hagee’s conspiracy teachings may one day help to create an anti-Jewish climate, just as their originators intended.

However, while the McCain endorsement fiasco damaged both men, Hagee was given a vote of confidence by prominent conservatives shortly afterwards. Getting Elie Wiesel on board is probably his best PR move yet.

This video has more background:

There’s also this unofficial video inspired by a Hagee sermon and put together by a fan:

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Alliance with former Neo-Nazi who is now friends with Johnny Adair

Paul Ray, originator of the English Defence League, has found a new friend: Nick Greger, the German former neo-Nazi who is now a close associate of the Northern Ireland Loyalist Johnny Adair. On Ray’s blog, he and Greger pose together with a t-shirt glorifying Loyalist terrorist organisations as part of a gallery announcing the launch of “The Ancient Order of Templar Knights”. Other pictures feature Greger’s Tanzanian wife (wearing a Johnny Adair t-shirt) and an unnamed black man who represents “Ghana” to match Ray’s “England” and Greger’s “Germany”. The two men also sport fresh matching Star of David tattoos on their wrists.

[UPDATE: A reader points out that some of the pictures were taken at St Paul’s Grotto in the village of Rabat on Malta; the statue of St Paul was a gift to the Grotto from the Grand Master of the Order of St John in the eighteenth century.]

From one perspective this seems to be something of an escalation for Ray, who has now gone from flirting with the BNP (he opines that God is moving Nick Griffin and the party towards a non-racialist nationalism) and fantasising about how “traitors” should be “shot” to unambiguous identification with organisations known for violence. However, Greger is perhaps a natural soul-mate for Ray; while Ray has been mocked by EDL activists such as Chris Renton for his “religious shite”, Greger by contrast has messages from God. Greger was the subject of a Donal MacIntyre documentary in 2007; a review here has further details:

After serving prison time for directing acts of terrorism, Johnny ‘Mad Dog’ Adair was living in exile in Scotland, forced out of Northern Ireland by his own people, when he got a message from a man he had never met: Nick Greger, the head of a neo-Nazi group in Dresden, Germany. While in prison for plotting an act of terror, Greger had heard that his idol Adair was vulnerable from attack by his enemies and organised a team of bodyguards to protect him and his family. Now, two years later, Greger has been released from prison and has big plans for himself and the man he idolises.

…When Adair meets up with Greger in Dresden, the two men talk about what their futures hold. They both know that the world they knew has now left them behind, and they need a new purpose. To this end, Greger tells Adair about his new plan. He claims to have renounced his Nazi past and become a born-again Christian, and tells Adair that he had a vision telling him to go to Uganda and build an orphanage. He wants to name it after Adair’s C Company cell of the Ulster Freedom Fighters, and hopes that he will be involved in the project – but it later transpires that there may be more to his trip than helping the children and giving “something back”. The last time Greger was in Uganda, he says he was involved in arms dealing and dabbled in blood diamonds… After a few days… Greger has had to flee to Tanzania due to “problems” in Uganda – and has become engaged to a young Tanzanian woman he just met.

Ray has also written about Greger in the past; there is a blog entry from 2007:

German Nick was at one time one of the most vicious and violent Neo-N4zi’s in Germany who ended up in prison due to his N4zi ideals and “The General” Johnny Adair was one of Northern Ireland’s most infamous paramilitary leaders.

German Nick has repented of his N4zi ways, has aligned himself with the Cross of Christ and pledged his allegiance to “The General” Johnny Adair. He can see clearly what is befalling his homeland, the continent of Europe and the future War that is now upon us because he clearly states that the war that is coming is a religious war between Moslems and Christians.

…Mr. Adair clearly says that the last chapter of his life is yet to be written…let us hope and pray that “The General” stands behind the Cross of Christ with the armies of Christendom for the sake of the future of the civilized world.

Ray’s current position within the EDL is unclear; the leaders wear masks in public and use false names, but it seems that Ray runs an off-shoot at odds with the main organisation and calling itself the “EDL: St. George Division“. He has called for a counter-protest in London for 31 October in the name of the English and Welsh Defence Leagues against a a “March for Shariah” planned by Muslim extremist Anjem Choudary, but the EDL website insists that it has nothing to do with this event and instead urges supporters to protest in Leeds. On the other hand, though, the recent interview with EDL leaders given to Martin Mawyer of the Christian Action Network was facilitated by Ray, and a recent EDL video included an image of “Crusader” graffiti taken from Ray’s blog.

Newsnight ran a piece on the EDL last week, and mentioned in passing that there were rumours of overtures from Northern Irish paramilitary groups. For whatever reason of his own, Ray has now decided to put into the public domain evidence strongly suggestive that such a link is in the offing.

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Talk to Action has an interesting article by Rachel Tabachnick about World Evangelical Zionists and Worldwide Biblical Zionists, two organisations affiliation with World Likud:

In January, 2007, Christian Zionist Joel Bell became director of the World Evangelical Zionists (WEZ), the evangelical department of World Likud.  Bell states that in June of 2007 the “Jewish Zionist Congress and other Zionist organizations began supporting WEZ’s affiliation. This launched Biblical Zionists activities together with Governmental Institutions.”

A joint Board of Governors Conference with WEZ and World Likud leaders was held in Texas in July 2007, and a new organization was launched in November under the under the name Worldwide Biblical Zionists.  [World Likud Chair Daniel] Danon and Bell were joined as keynote speakers at the Texas conference by Sagiv Assulin of Likud, and Christian Zionist William Koenig, former White House correspondent in the George W. Bush administration.  Morton Klein of ZOA was also listed as a speaker in the promotional materials including this flash presentation.  Other guest speakers listed in the promotional material were Keith and Jodie Anderson. Jodie Anderson heads the Battalion of Deborah, an organization which works with the Knesset’s Christian Allies Caucus and has, according to Public Research Associates’ RightWeb, received funds from Irving Moskowitz.

I’ve blogged on the Christian Allies Caucus and the Battalion of Deborah here, and on Moskowitz here. It should be clarified that Koenig (whom I blogged here) runs his own news service, and it was in this capacity that he was a “White House correspondent”- he was not part of the Bush administration.

According Bell’s profile:

Joel Bell the Founder and President of WBZ resides in Israel with his wife Pamela. In 1991 they began an intense study of the Hebrew scriptures to understand their covenant roll [sic] with Israel.

Joel has received dreams and visions from HaShem about the restoration of the whole house of Israel.

…Joel started young in the real estate and construction business. He was very successful and found the favor of Elohim in his business ventures. By the age of 35, his net worth exceeded $2 million.

Even though he was a successful businessman in the United States, he knew that the scriptures were clear to build up Zion and to serve the Jewish people.

After they made Aliyah in 2003, Joel and Pamela stood with the Jewish people in Gush Katif during the expulsion in 2005.

There is nothing to suggest that either of the Bells are of Jewish heritage themselves, so how they have come to “make Aliyah” is unexplained. He runs a news show, entitled Frontline Israel.

Rachel notes that Worldwide Biblical Zionists tells us it is developing a “pre-military academy”

for Biblical Zionists to come to Israel and experience a 1 year training course with experienced IDF military teachers.

The classes are designed to teach you the basics and discipline. Classes will be taught in English. Attend the courses that will teach you miliatary commands, strategic initiative, anti-terrorist tactics, and more.

One interesting aspect of WBZ is that it has made links with a growing movement called the “Ephramites”, a belief which combines Christian Zionism with a form of British Israelism. The difference is that while British Israelites take the view that they are the “true Israelites”, Ephramites argue for a “Two House” perspective: Jews and Ephramites are both genetic descendants of ancient Israel, respectively Judah and Joseph, and both have a claim to land in Israel and the West Bank. Of course, this is completely unsustainable from a historical persective, and Ephramites’ confidence in their lineage is based on internal spiritual assurance rather than any actual evidence – I’ve blogged them here and here. Further, although their beliefs give a Messianic role to Jesus, they reject the name of “Christian” – which is fair enough, as the movement’s theology has very little in common with historic Christianity. The WBZ website has only a couple of passing references to “Jesus” or “Yeshua”, and there are none at all on the “World Evangelical Zionist” website. The term “Biblical Zionist”, rather than “Christian Zionist”, is perhaps of significance in relation to this.

According to an Ephramite leader named Eddie Chumney:

…In talking with Joel and Sagiv while in Israel, it was agreed that we needed to establish a partnership with Ephraimites in the USA and around the world linking them to the welcoming hand of Judah in the land of Israel to begin what would hopefully be the beginning of the ‘footsteps’ of bringing together Ephraim and Judah by the Messiah of Israel. It was decided that the name of this entity to seek to accomplish this task would be called, “Worldwide Biblical Zionists.” WBZ would be a nonprofit organization based in Israel which those ministries, leaders and individuals who supported the effort to unite Ephraim and Judah in the land of Israel would seek to support.

In doing so, Joel asked me to be the ‘International Director’ of Worldwide Biblical Zionists. Joel also asked me to be on the board of WBZ when it was formed

In my excitement for the vision of WBZ to partner with Judah in the land of Israel to ‘build up Zion’ and that Judah would partner with Ephraim to help unite the whole house of Israel, I recommended that Hebraic Heritage Ministries introduce Joel and Sagiv and the vision of WBZ to Ephraimite leaders in the USA at a special meeting to be held in Portland, Oregon in July 2008. Furthermore, Hebraic Heritage Ministries pledged to try to arrange meetings across the USA and Canada to promote the vision of WBZ.

Through my personal contacts, I was able to arrange meetings for Joel and Sagiv to speak and promote WBZ in Waco, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Denver, CO; Nashville, TN; Canton, OH; Tampa, FL; Ocala, FL; Cocoa, FL; Houston, TX; Chicago, IL and Sedley, Canada from July 2008 – August 2008.

One of the US directors of WBZ is a certain Ben Ehrhardt. Rachel draws attention to a November 2008 message by one of his associates:

We have just returned from a 12 day tour of Israel sponsored by World Wide Biblical Zionists and an extra week of meeting other key leaders. Ben and I and our spouses along with about 60 other Ephramites, who love brother Judah and the Land, attended this tour and fact finding trip. Ben and I attended this event to witness the hearts of Joel and Pamela Bell founders of WBZ, to see for ourselves if Yahweh is beginning to open the doors for Ephraim to come home, and to demonstrate our love and willingness to stand with our brother Judah.

…Yahweh is establishing leaders with integrity in the Likud and other coalition parties that are beginning to understand who Ephraim is and are willing to work toward bringing Ephraim home! Seeing this with our own eyes was astonishing and exciting. Specifically, on November 16 at the World Wide Biblical Zionists inauguration ceremony, some top Likud party members attended and addressed the approximately 300 attendees. Those speaking to us were Ayoob Kara, Ullie Edelstein, Gideon Saar, and Sagiv Assulin.

Assulin was apparently after donations; a message from him is appended:

There is one thing that you can do that will REALLY give me the advantage as I go forward to WIN a seat in the Knesset to help represent you as a people who want to live in Israel and build Zion – Please GO TO MY WEBSITE AND DONATE…

I make this appeal humbly knowing that you work hard to earn your living. ANYTHING you can do to help support my campaign is very appreciated! The primary electoral vote is December 8th. If you can please make your donations before that date it would be most helpful. This is a small window of opportunity for you to really make a difference and help change Israel’s direction.

My heart is to see Judah and Ephraim join here in the land and see the hand of HaShem do great and mighty things.

However, Bell and Chumney have fallen out, and Chumney’s piece goes on to explain how disputes over money and accountability, along with other “red flags”, led him to sever the relationship and withdraw his endorsement.

And Assulin, meanwhile, has linked up with another Ephramite leader, named Don Esposito – a right-wing Israeli blog called The Key to Redemption, run by someone who dislikes these links, has more about that here.

UPDATE: As an aside, an interesting comment from John Glick:

Its interesting to note that Ronn Torossian is Benny Hinn’s publicist. Torossian used to be President of Betar, a Zionist movement of Jabotinsky and the head of World Likud, Danny Danon just spoke in his office. Torossian was mentioned on Niteline by Benny Hinn this week.

Torossian does indeed represent both Danon and Hinn, and he has a background with Betar. Hinn was interviewed by ABC just two days ago; Torossian’s off-camera interjections against the drift of the interview actually dramatize the encounter, and they are not welcomed by Hinn, who assures “Ronn” that he is happy to proceed. Torossian’s PR firm is 5WPR, which also handles John Hagee and which I blogged on last year here.

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Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. – Leviticus 19:28

(Hat tip: Get Religion)

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Back in August, the Nigeria Weekend Pioneer carried a story about Edet Nwanakwo, a boy who had been disfigured with acid by his own father after being denounced as a wizard by a pastor at a prayer service. The report can be seen in pdf form here, along with a very grim photograph. The report describes him as being 9 years old, although later accounts give his age as 17. After lingering in hospital for some weeks, Nwanakwo died towards the end of September. Sam Ikpe-Itauma of the Child’s Right and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) in Akwa Ibom State reported:

His sin is the acceptance to an invitation to attend a prayer meeting with a church in Urban [var. spelling “Oban” – RB], near Calabar, Cross River State Nigeria. “When I arrived the church, people were clapping and dancing. I prayed God to bless me and our family including my father; soon the pastor came, turning around, holding my head ‘Do you know that you are a witch?’ he asked me. I told him no, I am not a witch…” ‘He told me that I must confess or he will beat me, even as he slapped me immediately. He handed over a bottle of olive oil to me to be drinking at home. I was annoyed, and went and told my father so that he will arrest the pastor with police.’

To his chagrin, his father merely told him that if he were a witch he would be cast out of the house. That was an understatement. After four days his father told him that they would travel home to see their relatives. The little lad was so elated by this offer. Did Nwanakwo and his father come back truly?

He told CRARN team who visited him at the [University of Uyo Teaching Hospital] in August that his father called a cyclist and whispered to him. They mounted on the bike and moved to a particular road that was bushy up to a distance where there were no houses and stopped there. His father took him inside the bush and pretended that he wanted to ease himself, while the cyclist waited. “He brought out a gallon from a sack bag and forced me on the ground, pressing my legs with his knees, he forced my mouth opened and poured acid into it. I cried and pleaded with him that I am his son; he shouted and called me a wizard and devil. He poured the acid on my face, head and body and ran away. Somebody came and took me to the police.” He said with a clear as is using a wireless microphone

Looking at Nwanakwo’s photograph, the acid burns are very glaring. The boy, who lost his mother four years ago, said he wants justice to prevail. “Even in my grave I want my father and Pastor King of Mount Zion Light House, Urban to be arrested and brought to book.” The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UUTH, Prof. Emmanuel Ekanem was contacted to know what measure has been taken to ensure that justice is done. “The Head of the Corporate Affairs Unit (UUTH) has contacted the Divisional Police Officer of Ikono LGA who said that his men have been drafted to investigate the matter …” the CMD had responded briefly.

The story has now been picked up by the Associated Press, and is being reproduced widely in US newspapers and elsewhere:

Nwanaokwo said he knew the pastor who accused him only as Pastor King. Mount Zion Lighthouse in Nigeria at first confirmed that a Pastor King worked for them, then denied that they knew any such person.

Bishop A.D. Ayakndue, the head of the church in Nigeria, said pastors were encouraged to pray about witchcraft, but not to abuse children.

“We pray over that problem (of witchcraft) very powerfully,” he said. “But we can never hurt a child.”

The Nigerian church is a branch of a Californian church by the same name. But the California church says it lost touch with its Nigerian offshoots several years ago.

”I had no idea,” said church elder Carrie King by phone from Tracy, Calif. ”I knew people believed in witchcraft over there but we believe in the power of prayer, not physically harming people.”

The AP report goes into further detail about the wider context of children being accused of witchcraft in Nigeria – a subject that has received considerable scrutiny over the past year, since a UK Channel 4 documentary on the subject last November. I’ve blogged on the issue a number of times.

The defunct association with the American church is confirmed by Rosalind Hackett in her book Religion in Calabar: the religious life and history of a Nigerian town (page 102), which tells us that the Nigerian church split away from a denomination called the the Apostolic Church:

Before long the new spiritual church had affiliated with a religious organization in Oakland, California – the Mount Zion Light House Full Gospel Church, and amended its name accordingly to reflect the affiliation. It was not possible to ascertain how this affiliation came about, partly because the relationship is no longer active.

In fact, the affiliation seems to have come about through a group called Federated Pentecostal Churches International, which has a website here. And although the link with the Calabar-based church is defunct, there is still an active link with a “Bishop A.B.U. Akpabio – Nigeria”; this is Bishop Abu Akpabio, who runs a Mount Zion Lighthouse church in Lagos, which in turn is affiliated with “House of Prayer for all Nations, USA”.

The AP report adds that the Mount Zion Light House is part of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, which seems keen to dodge responsibility; according to its president:

”We have grown so much in the past few years we cannot keep an eye on everybody,” he explained.

But [Gary] Foxcroft, the head of Stepping Stones, said if the organization was able to collect membership fees, it could also police its members better. He had already written to the organization twice to alert it to the abuse, he said.

Indeed. And isn’t it time some of the A-list neo-Pentecostal revivalists from the west who enjoy influence in Africa – such as Benny Hinn and Reinhard Bonnke – also speak out?

Name variations: Mt. Zion Light House Full Gospel Church; Mt. Zion Lighthouse Full Gospel Church

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