Pentecostalism
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Ethical Intersections: Practical Theology’s Response to Harmful Beliefs
“How many witches have you killed today?” This provocative question is often directed at Agnes, referencing her daily prayers, which she believes ward off or eliminate unseen malevolent forces. Her practice is not mere superstition but, as described by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen,[1] the culmination of beliefs shaped through her experiences. Agnes represents a segment of the Nigerian diaspora that maintains beliefs that appear to lack existential values and morality. The environment we inhabit significantly influences how we present ourselves and interact with others, as we unconsciously adjust our behaviour through gestures, tone of voice, and even movement speed. However, when individuals such as Agnes find themselves in environments…
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Pastoral Ethics and Belief Baggage: A Critical Look at Animal Symbolism in Witchcraft
Introduction One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl… So begins the old British rhyme about magpies. I would have dismissed this as silly superstition, but for my experience one spring afternoon in 2014. I was writing in my studio in North London, seated at a desk facing the window. Outside, a magpie nestled on a big tree facing my direction and stayed there all day. In time, it moved to other branches but did not fly away. Occasionally, I looked up, hoping it was no longer there, but it stayed put, still staring in my direction. The following morning, I was back at my desk, and…
