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> I'm not sure this bill is a good idea. Africa has a problem with witchcraft and human sacrifice. They don't have a problem with actual witches though do they

by IanCal 3y ago

> I'm not sure this bill is a good idea. Africa has a problem with witchcraft and human sacrifice. They don't have a problem with actual witches though do they? > https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-15255357 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-15255357 This is about killing children, and I doubt the bill here would prevent someone from accusing someone of killing a child. > https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15280776 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15280776 This is about trafficking children, cutting and abusing them. All things you can accuse someone of. > The case of 'adam' in the UK is also a good read. Heads up to anyone that this is a disturbing read about a particularly horrible murder of a young boy. The crimes are not being witches. The crimes are crimes regardless.

throwaway84940 3y ago
>The crimes are not being witches. The crimes are crimes regardless. Of course it is a crime regardless but it would be dishonest to the reader to not mention the connection to witchcraft which was the impetus.
- IanCal 3y ago
  "I accuse you of being a witch" is a massively different statement to "I accuse you of murdering a child because of some witchcraft related bullshit"
  - throwaway84940 3y ago
    I don't think you are understanding the cultural context. In english "witch" brings to mind witch trials and a culture of accusation. In african and carribean witch doctor is just a job and would be better termed "voodoo". Accusing someone of being a witch would be like accusing someone of being a plumber. They're quite open about it. It's not a witch hunt if they're in the phone book.
    - prmph 3y ago
      The connotation of "Witch doctor" is different from "witch", and depends on the part of Africa under consideration. Foe example, in West Africa, there is the phenomenon of "fetish priests" which is the equivalent of the "Witch Doctors" of southern Africa, and those priests are usually men. Their social meaning, though generally negative to many, is still quite different from the female witches who are accused and attacked.

by IanCal 3y ago

throwaway84940 3y ago

>The crimes are not being witches. The crimes are crimes regardless. Of course it is a crime regardless but it would be dishonest to the reader to not mention the connection to witchcraft which was the impetus.

IanCal 3y ago
"I accuse you of being a witch" is a massively different statement to "I accuse you of murdering a child because of some witchcraft related bullshit"
- throwaway84940 3y ago
  I don't think you are understanding the cultural context. In english "witch" brings to mind witch trials and a culture of accusation. In african and carribean witch doctor is just a job and would be better termed "voodoo". Accusing someone of being a witch would be like accusing someone of being a plumber. They're quite open about it. It's not a witch hunt if they're in the phone book.
  - prmph 3y ago
    The connotation of "Witch doctor" is different from "witch", and depends on the part of Africa under consideration. Foe example, in West Africa, there is the phenomenon of "fetish priests" which is the equivalent of the "Witch Doctors" of southern Africa, and those priests are usually men. Their social meaning, though generally negative to many, is still quite different from the female witches who are accused and attacked.