Ignorance is Not Bliss

[Sister Alvear]

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

"Why don't you just leave them alone as they are?" Is what we often hear while in Brazil. "Those people are happy in their religions, why spend your time and talents in a land so far away?" How do know that people who live so far away in pagan darkness are happy?
Millions in Brazil are Catholics and Spíritists. Many are poverty stricken, and wait in darkness, without hope, for a happening, something that will change their lives. To the witchdoctor they go with their problems, their sickness, and their needs. Since the devil takes and never gives, it matters not that the person that has come so desperately needing help is very poor, even so the charge will be great. From a meager salary he must buy a black chicken, wine different colored candles, sometimes hot peppers, a cloth, a clay bowl for the blood, and on and on, depending on the type of problem.
Sacrifices are carefully made at crossroads, in cemeteries, and in dark wooded areas. The first person to pass that point, takes with them the trouble; the sickness, the grief, the want. It is in deep constant fear they live, and in eerie dread that the people deal with the very forces of hell.
I have watched them chant to the spirits, drink the blood of animal sacrifices, dance until they would pass out, beat drums to please the local witchdoctor, and go away the same way they came, EMPTY, UNHEALED, UNREACHED, and UNTOUCHED. Does this sound like happiness to you?
When someone says, "Leave the heathen people as they are, because they are happy." Just think about what real happiness is: It is knowing that your sins are forgiven; it is knowing JESUS in the power of the Holy Ghost. The glorious privilege of wearing His Name. Happiness is leading the masses away from darkness and idolatry. It is turning their faces from death and condemnation; to get a glimpse of Calvary and a touch of it's power and a knowledge of its hope!

[becky123abc]

Beautiful! I appreciate what you and your family are doing to spread the gospel.

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

"Why don't you just leave them alone as they are?" Is what we often hear while in Brazil. "Those people are happy in their religions, why spend your time and talents in a land so far away?" How do know that people who live so far away in pagan darkness are happy?
Millions in Brazil are Catholics and Spíritists. Many are poverty stricken, and wait in darkness, without hope, for a happening, something that will change their lives. To the witchdoctor they go with their problems, their sickness, and their needs. Since the devil takes and never gives, it matters not that the person that has come so desperately needing help is very poor, even so the charge will be great. From a meager salary he must buy a black chicken, wine different colored candles, sometimes hot peppers, a cloth, a clay bowl for the blood, and on and on, depending on the type of problem.
Sacrifices are carefully made at crossroads, in cemeteries, and in dark wooded areas. The first person to pass that point, takes with them the trouble; the sickness, the grief, the want. It is in deep constant fear they live, and in eerie dread that the people deal with the very forces of hell.
I have watched them chant to the spirits, drink the blood of animal sacrifices, dance until they would pass out, beat drums to please the local witchdoctor, and go away the same way they came, EMPTY, UNHEALED, UNREACHED, and UNTOUCHED. Does this sound like happiness to you?
When someone says, "Leave the heathen people as they are, because they are happy." Just think about what real happiness is: It is knowing that your sins are forgiven; it is knowing JESUS in the power of the Holy Ghost. The glorious privilege of wearing His Name. Happiness is leading the masses away from darkness and idolatry. It is turning their faces from death and condemnation; to get a glimpse of Calvary and a touch of it's power and a knowledge of its hope!

Satan would love it if we just left people alone and never tried to reach them with the gospel.

[Felicity]

Great post Sis. Alvear. Ignorance indeed is not always bliss.

"Where there is no vision the people perish."

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

"Why don't you just leave them alone as they are?" Is what we often hear while in Brazil. "Those people are happy in their religions, why spend your time and talents in a land so far away?" How do know that people who live so far away in pagan darkness are happy?
Millions in Brazil are Catholics and Spíritists. Many are poverty stricken, and wait in darkness, without hope, for a happening, something that will change their lives. To the witchdoctor they go with their problems, their sickness, and their needs. Since the devil takes and never gives, it matters not that the person that has come so desperately needing help is very poor, even so the charge will be great. From a meager salary he must buy a black chicken, wine different colored candles, sometimes hot peppers, a cloth, a clay bowl for the blood, and on and on, depending on the type of problem.
Sacrifices are carefully made at crossroads, in cemeteries, and in dark wooded areas. The first person to pass that point, takes with them the trouble; the sickness, the grief, the want. It is in deep constant fear they live, and in eerie dread that the people deal with the very forces of hell.
I have watched them chant to the spirits, drink the blood of animal sacrifices, dance until they would pass out, beat drums to please the local witchdoctor, and go away the same way they came, EMPTY, UNHEALED, UNREACHED, and UNTOUCHED. Does this sound like happiness to you?
When someone says, "Leave the heathen people as they are, because they are happy." Just think about what real happiness is: It is knowing that your sins are forgiven; it is knowing JESUS in the power of the Holy Ghost. The glorious privilege of wearing His Name. Happiness is leading the masses away from darkness and idolatry. It is turning their faces from death and condemnation; to get a glimpse of Calvary and a touch of it's power and a knowledge of its hope!

Originally Posted by Felicity

Great post Sis. Alvear. Ignorance indeed is not always bliss.

"Where there is no vision the people perish."

Good posts, Mother A and Felicity...ignorance is not bliss...ignorance is bondage.

[Sister Alvear]

May God consume us with a burden for lost humanity.