I've seen several online content where people keep harping on about bringing the old ways or ancient practices back to the present. There is a reason things of the past need to stay there. Not everything old must be brought to the here and now. We all know how horror stories end right? 馃槀
Which ancient practices am I talking about? Well, the practice of our ancestors: spiritism and belief in the "old gods" which are actually demons (according to Catholic exorcist priests).
For example, in Mexico the Nahua (indigenous people like Aztecs, Mayans, etc.) were polytheists and had high priests until the Spanish conquest. Here in the Philippines (PH) we also call them babaylan. Commonly they are known as shamans during the pre-colonial times.
The thing is, why go back to our pagan or Gentile ways? Jesus was already born and raised from the dead to save us and people still keep harping about unknowingly worshipping demons?
In part 1 of this 3 part series I talked about the "Secret" European History, Religion and the Effects of Colonialization. Here I will expound on what some call "decolonization" or going back to the ancient roots.
Mayan calendar. source
For sure shamanism and polytheism have been around since man existed. Why not when the fallen angels were thrown out of heaven and onto this world? Just check Revelation in the New Testament and you'll see what I mean. No one else would instigate shamanism, animism or "spirit worship", etc., except the devil and the demons that prowl our world.
If you do an online search, nobody will tell you when occult practices and polytheism started or how it originated. Everything is a mix of myths, legends, folklore or even fairy tales. Heck, such activity has been around for so long that we can even read warnings about such in the Old Testament (OT)! (For example Leviticus 19:31 & Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Deuteronomy 8:19-20)
History states that occult activities and shamans were all over the world before Judaism and Christianity came around. Many countries had such individuals performing various rites and rituals. They are a select number of people who could be men, women or even effeminate/homosexuals too.
These old practices were present during Moses' time despite the flood from Noah's era. It was definitely still going on even when Jesus lived among us! In the Bible, God says several old and pagan ways are abominations and violations of the first commandment. Still applies up to this day. Meaning if such behavior becomes rampant again we must repent. Let's ask and pray for Jesus' mercy or beware the coming wrath of God.
Picture this if Roman and Spanish colonization didn't happen: With all the deities and gods/goddesses Gentiles worshipped plus the pagan practices pre-colonial people did, the present world could not have changed much. Worst case scenario: we would be overly secular and massively doing grave sins left and right. A greater number would be offending God and blaspheming against Him, Mama Mary and the saints so much everyday. Oh the horror and strong likelihood that an equivalent to the Great Flood/Sodom & Gomorrah would happen again because of such sinful ways and obstinate behavior. Thank God for Jesus Christ and Catholicism, that reality never happened.
When Christianity came about, being pagan or idolatrous wasn't a good thing once more. You know, like witches got burned at the stake in Europe, etc. (Such executions did not become a thing here in the PH though. Yes, again blame it on syncretism. On that note, I'd like to squeeze in the conversions due to Our Lady of Guadalupe but it would make this too long.)
Our Lady of Guadalupe of Mexico source
There are people who keep harping about the "glory days" or the time before colonialization. And some of them are those who also hate on the Catholic Church just because of all the "rules", the violent crusades and the corruption (e.g. pedophilia/rape, selling indulgences, etc.). They ignore and don't take note of the changes and reforms the Church have already done to correct itself. Meanwhile, these days academics/psychologists have been wrapping it all up as part of decolonization. Sad but true.
Actually such a revival has already been happening. cough New Age movement since the '70s cough Yeah that's all thanks to everyone who kept honking about pagan practices and activities to everyone who'd listen. Especially lukewarm Christians, oh these things are quite juicy and fascinating. I know because "I've been there done that". (Remember, just because many people are doing what's trending/popular doesn't mean it's right in God's eyes.)
A growing number of people don't want to follow God's commandments anymore. There are also those who even deny the existence of God or demons. Without them realizing it, people act on superstitions passed down from generations. Others follow ungodly practices thinking those are right, new and unheard of. Plus, those already under demonic influence keep spreading pride and anger, trying to tear down and divide the religion started by Jesus Christ just because of the bad apples. If they only knew it's the devil whispering in their ears... Tsk tsk. (More on this on the last part of this series.)
During the Son of God's lifetime demons were already possessing people left and right due to their sinful ways and pagan practices. (Remember when Jesus and His apostles exorcised so many people? Such even resulted in the healing of illnesses.) According to Catholic exorcist priests, possession can happen when someone is a psychic and deeply into new age/occult things. And what are shamans? People with an open third eye and strong psychic abilities.
Related: The Devil Rejoices Whenever People Do Not Confess To Priests
Going back to the conquered people topic, many of the nations in this world have been conquered at one point or another. Others became conquerors after getting freedom from another country's rule. Let's start with the Romans conquering Israel and many European nations.
But prior to that, many kingdoms/empires fell because of the nation's and/or leader's sinful ways. (Read the Bible.) Again the ancient times can be considered the era when shamans/witch doctors, homosexuality/bestiality, polytheism and occult practices, etc., were all over the world.
The prevalence of sin caused God to wipe out humanity except Noah's family but then we just keep on sinning huh. Eventually God chose the Israelites to be His people and then Jesus Christ was born. Alleluia! Sadly, the devil also keeps subverting those who choose to turn away from God.
Now we all know the Romans eventually embraced Catholicism. Jesus' teachings were accepted, people converted and God / the Holy Trinity replaced their Roman gods. So of course it's understandable then that the places they conquered afterwards helped spread Christianity and its many denominations.
If the kingdoms and its royalties wanted more riches via conquests, the religious orders came along to follow what Jesus told His apostles/disciples. They spread the gospel wherever conquistadors went. Along the way eventually centuries passed, monarchies came and went and the devil again made progress in the hearts/minds of men.
And so Spain conquered the Americas, it even reached the islands which became The PH. Protestantism popped up and contradicted Catholicism. England colonized America and conquered the Native Americans. So on and so forth.
Eventually its all been muddled enough that now we see more and more people clamoring "freedom" from religions, mostly Christianity. (Scholars/Academics even bundle this with decolonization or decoloniality.) Secularism is growing but we all see how people are becoming immoral everyday without batting an eye. Particularly, the US has been quite noticeable after their drugs, sex and rock & roll or hippies era. (Oh I have an upcoming post about this one so stay tuned!)
However even if we see so many sins being depicted in movies, popular TV shows and various media it doesn't mean we should do it too. Since the devil "conquered" mankind thru Adam & Eve, Jesus Christ came to defeat him and save humanity. But to be truly free, we must accept the Lord and follow God's greatest commandments. We must ultimately love God and our neighbors (Matthew 22:34-40). Only then would we really be spiritually decolonized from evil.
Unfortunately I have to end this now as it's quite long again. 馃槄 The third and last part will just wrap things up about this world history and religious topic. So far, what are your thoughts on what I shared? 馃槂
XOXO,
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