Unbelievable.

Firstly that this ‘Indian witch doctor’ scandal is still heading Auckland news and secondly, the stupid things that silly people are saying with regard to the aforementioned.

First memorable quote: “…I was feeling really depressed so I went to see a priest – little did I know this guy wasn’t a priest he was a witch doctor…”

“My God,” I recall erupting at the TV in disbelief, “honestly, what’s the bloody difference?!”

Second memorable quote: “…They’re not priests, they’re con-artists.”

This time I managed to restrain myself; instead just seething quietly to myself from the comfort of my couch.

As an atheist, priests, in my opinion, are quintessential con-artists.

While they do perhaps provide mental relief for their flock, feeding them lie after lie, reassuring them with fallacy after fallacy until they are happy to live amid a world of delusion, far as I’ve seen they don’t provide any real, tangible solutions. Despite this notable religious shortcoming, members of a priest’s congregation will still happily part with their money to ensure their churches prosperity…

Can anyone smell the bullshit yet?

…Brian Tamaki and his Destiny Church are famous names among the Christian world and in fact provide a perfect example of religious con-artistry. The earlier Auckland speaker wanted her priest to aid in her struggle with mental illness because, well, we’ve all heard of the amazing results priests can bring, along with their wonderfully scrupulous approach to life…

I am reminded now of countless instances of child ‘mistreatment’ at the hands of priests; also there’s Brian Tamaki who appears to have zero compunction about sucking dry already impoverished families to ensure that his church undergoes frequent refurbishment.

…As it turned out, apparently under the impression that she was in fact visiting a priest, this confused Auckland woman went to one of these so called Indian witch doctors to be told the cause of her depression was black magic. As a lifelong Christian there was no way this was true – black magic? Preposterous – imagine her dismay when she was then told that such a revelation demanded payment.

Conversely she could have gone to her priest, to whom she likely makes weekly donations anyway, to be told her depression was the work of the Devil. That would have made much more sense.

Article by Tim Walker

Edited by Chris Chin Del Uzan

Photography by Blake Ma Jeek