Solar Eclipse Has Nigerians in a Tizzy
"Abuja - Against the backdrop of dangerous superstitious beliefs, the Nigerian government has embarked on massive public enlightenment on radio and television to educate Nigerians about the upcoming solar eclipse.
The eclipse is to be visible in 11 of Nigeria's 36 states on Wednesday, March 29, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation said.
A partial eclipse in 1989 led to massive demonstrations and violence in the country's predominantly Muslim north, where churches and hotels were set ablaze by fanatics to "atone for the sins of infidels."
A total of 28 persons were killed in the mayhem during the religious "cleansing" of the region."
More here.
I was going to say something like, "I wonder if these people like bright, shiny objects," but then I thought that someone in our "advanced" Western civilization like Pat Robertson might think something similar about the eclipse.
The eclipse is to be visible in 11 of Nigeria's 36 states on Wednesday, March 29, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation said.
A partial eclipse in 1989 led to massive demonstrations and violence in the country's predominantly Muslim north, where churches and hotels were set ablaze by fanatics to "atone for the sins of infidels."
A total of 28 persons were killed in the mayhem during the religious "cleansing" of the region."
More here.
I was going to say something like, "I wonder if these people like bright, shiny objects," but then I thought that someone in our "advanced" Western civilization like Pat Robertson might think something similar about the eclipse.
posted by Johnny at 4:25 PM
2 Comments:
Reading the article, I get the feeling that the eclipse wasn't the reason for the mayhem, only the excuse.
And you're right. We westerners have seen a number of alleged doomsdays come and go. But I wonder how many people gave up their worldly possessions in December 1999.
Then again, the Hale-Bopp comet did nothing for Heaven's Gate.
(You can see a mirror site of the cult's actual webpage as it had been on the day of the mass suicides at http://www.wave.net/upg/gate/index.htm)
Every 52 years the Aztecs thought the world was going to end. When it didn't, they had a big party and smashed all their crockery to make a fresh start. (g)
Post a Comment
<< Home