The Definitive Work on the Kanungu Tragedy?

As the March 17th anniversary of the Kanungu cult massacre approaches, readers seeking an authoritative analysis of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God should consult Ghosts of Kanungu: Fertility, Secrecy, and Exchange in the Great Lakes of East Africa by Richard Vokes.

The author is a Senior Lecturer in Anthropology at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and a Research Associate of the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Oxford, UK. Adding to the weight of his research is his fluency in Runyankore/Rukiga, which enabled him to personally interview many key individuals in and around Kanungu.

Vokes also maintains an extensive multi-media web site of cult-related findings.

(Note: The edition of Vokes’s book produced by Fountain Publishers of Uganda is far less expensive than that generally available in North America.)

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Russian newspaper profiles the Legio Maria cult of Kenya

On January 18th, the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Независимая газета) published an unusual first-hand report on the indigenous Legio Maria cult and its “black messiah,” Simeo Melkio Ondetto.

You can read the article (in rough translation) here.

(HT: Dmitry Rozet of the Center for Apologetics Research.)

Wisdom for the New Year

For all aspiring defenders of the Gospel: Beware of these “Ten Pitfalls of the Foolish Apologist!” They include…

• Speaking before listening
• Trying to win every point
• Pride
• Seeking popularity
• Neglecting spiritual disciplines
• Lacking love

Are you willing to carefully, humbly examine your heart in order to faithfully represent Christ?

Is a doomsday cult reviving in Uganda?

Reports in Ugandan news sources ranging from the mainstream New Vision to the sensationalistic Red Pepper claim that 52-year-old cult leader Wilson Bushara is now distributing “invitation cards to heaven.”

The Eddoboozi news site quotes a Uganda Radio Network article explaining that “the Luweero cult leader has started issuing invitation cards to his 5000 followers that are spread in Luweero, Mbale, Busia, Kampala, Iganga among other districts to attend the last supper in heaven. Bushara is telling his followers that that the end of the world is drawing nearer and the signs are visible on earth, including lightning, earthquakes, and floods among others. He claims that those with cards will be taken to heaven alive and those without cards will go to hell.”

Since 1999, Ugandan authorities have investigated and detained Bushara, founder of the notorious “World Message Last Warning Church,” on a variety of accusations. He is perhaps best known for his proclamation that the world would end on June 30th, 1999. For a summary of reports, see here.

VIDEO: How You Can Pray for ACFAR

A personal word from ACFAR regional coordinator Rodgers Atwebembeire.

A special event for ACFAR

On Saturday, October 22nd the Centers for Apologetics Research will host a special fundraising event in San Juan Capistrano, California to highlight and benefit God’s ongoing work through ACFAR.

Featured speakers include…

• Acclaimed apologist and author Dr. Ron Rhodes
• ACFAR regional coordinator Rodgers Atwebembeire
• CFAR Ethiopia director Tesfaye Robele.

To learn more and take part in this unforgettable evening, sign up here!