The battle of believers – Sangomas vs Pastors

I have listened to many people who call themselves Christians ridicule and belittle traditional healers, or the so called Sangomas.

They are always going on about how fake traditional healers are and how they take those who use their services for a ride by claiming they can heal or perform miracles.

A little disclaimer before I continue; I am by no means speaking on behalf of Sangomas because I am one of those who think some of the things they claim they can do are nothing but a bunch of lies sold to those who are desperate for miracles.

Please also understand that I am not saying all Sangomas are fake and are only after taking people’s money because I do believe that there are genuine Sangomas out there who know what they are doing. And I also believe there are pastors who are nothing but a bunch of wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Now the reason I decided to pen this column is because I am tired of hearing Christians judging those who believe in using traditional healers as if they (the Christians) are any different.

You only have to go to places like down-town Johannesburg and Hillbrow to realise just how much our people have been brainwashed by these so-called miracle performing pastors who claim to heal the disabled and can cure all the incurable diseases.

Yes I understand that not all pastors are fake but I would like those who believe in the pastors to take a look at themselves before ridiculing those who believe in Sangomas because to me, there is no difference really. You leave the church that you grew up in and go to these charismatic churches because the pastor claims he can make you rich and find you a husband, but you still have the audacity to judge those who perform traditional rituals.

I know some of you are probably reading this and saying, “But that is not the same thing”.

To me, there is no difference between the two. Why do you think those churches are so full?

I’m sure you have all seen videos of people doing the most bizarre things because their pastors told them to do it, anything from eating grass to drinking petrol.

How is that different from the person given a bottle of water mixed with some herbs to drink in order to be healed? I see no difference.

I feel that as Christians, we tend to be too judgemental and always think that our way is the right one and whoever does not believe or do as we do is doomed.

And can we please stop interpreting the Bible to suite our own agendas, because many times I have heard people quoting scriptures to make their point. But the very same people forget to quote one of the ten commandments when they are judging those who differ from them.

How about we live our lives and leave the judging to God, because you pointing out other people’s sins does not make you a saint; which is something I think a lot of people tend to forget.

Believe in whatever you want to believe in and allow others the same courtesy, because at the end of the day, we are all flawed and there is no sin better than another.