Occult

A U.K. school system has included the study of witchcraft and druidry on its official religious education syllabus for the first time, meaning pagan practices will be taught alongside contemporary religions, such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

While Christianity will remain the dominant focus at Cornwall Council schools, students will now also learn about the ancient druid beliefs of the British Isles that thrived before Christianity, aspects of witchcraft, and the worship of gods from various regions, the Daily Mail reported.

The syllabus, put forth by Cornwall's advisory group, makes it clear that students ages 5 and above will learn mostly about Christianity, but 40 percent of the other religious material will be devoted to non-Christian and pagan beliefs. more >>

Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Wash., recently wrote in an editorial that Christians who rail against other believers for partaking in non-religious Easter traditions are comparable to "those who murdered Jesus."

The pastor, author of the book Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship, and Life Together, discussed in an editorial for The Washington Post's faith section the relevance of Easter as a time to celebrate "the Resurrection, the victory of Jesus Christ over Satan, sin, and death" along with allowing children to mark the holiday with chocolate eggs and bunnies.

Driscoll began by addressing issues some Christians have with Easter's roots as an early Anglo-Saxon pagan celebration that once involved people using the occasion to honor Eostre, the goddess of fertility and spring. more >>

Of the many missionary organizations and relief teams who have come and gone into Haiti over the past three decades, one stands out in particular – because its services has made it possible for all other groups to fly into the Caribbean nation. Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) celebrated last week 25 years of work in Haiti, and Mark Williams, a project manager who has served the organization for almost the entire ride, reflected on how Christianity has grown in the hearts and minds of Haitians during this time.

MAF held its ceremony last Tuesday, Feb. 29, at the MAF aircraft hangar at the Port-au-Prince Airport. It was attended by hundreds of missionaries and aviation officials, who had much to be thankful for to the aviation company who has helped provide mission, humanitarian, and government organizations the chance to reach remote locations throughout the world.

MAF has served the missionary community and the people of Haiti since 1986, completing 25 years of accident-free flying. It has reached people in remote and isolated areas of Haiti, and has assisted with church planting and discipleship to medical, educational, community development, and crisis relief programs. more >>

Nicki Minaj performed "Roman Holiday" during the 2012 Grammy Awards Sunday night, leaving fans perplexed and some suspicious that the music artist may indeed be bipolar or demon possessed, as the the hip-hop artist's showcase is being referred to as "the exorcism of Roman."

Minaj unleashed her inner demon, or alter ego known as "Roman Zolanski," during the performance of her new single "Roman Holiday" Sunday night, with her set design conjuring up occult and religious references, which some viewers found disturbing and even sacrilegious. The song, "Roman Holiday," is from the rapper's soon-to-be released second album, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded."

Under the influence of her notorious alter ego, Minaj took viewers through what appeared to be an exorcism. During the performance the rapper levitated and, according to MTV, at one point spoke in tongues. Minaj's outlandish and what some are calling nonsensical Grammys act drew similarities to Lady Gaga's equally outlandish performances. more >>

Mexico's epidemic of violence first erupted in 2006, according to most accounts. But an ex-Muslim from India, who serves as a Christian pastor along the Texas-Mexican border, believes the problem began much earlier, with human sacrifice, witches, and the adoration of death in ancient Aztec days.

Bombay-born Mujahid Hussein, 41, who found Jesus aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean 17 years ago, is now known as David Elijah. He was ordained by Kings Revival Church International of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the largest and fastest growing congregation in the Middle East.

"There are few places in America more evil, or more steeped in witchcraft and demonic influences, along with false prophets, divination and corruption, than the border region of northern Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas," Elijah told The Christian Post. more >>

Two years after a devastating earthquake killed an estimated 300,000 people in Haiti, Christianity is fast replacing Voodoo in the lives and practices of the people, a missionary has revealed.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook, there is a fusion of beliefs in Haiti – 80 percent of people profess to be Catholic, and another 16 percent are Protestant yet roughly half of the population still practices Voodoo.

However, it is no secret that Christianity has been expanding as a religion in Haiti – and a host of Christian missionaries and charity organizations who flew to the Caribbean nation to help the millions in desperate need have also contributed to a large conversion movement. more >>