Umbanda is a religion originating from Brazil in the early 1900s. Umbanda combines African beliefs (known as Ifa’, a Yoruba religion), spiritism and Catholicism, similar to Santeria, which is primarily found in Cuba, and Voodoo in Haiti.
Twelve main deities called Orixas are worshipped. They are connected to Catholic saints (primarily because Catholicism was imposed on the African slaves resulting in the religious syncretism).
Umbanda practitioners are psychics who “channel” or become possessed by spirits and “deities.” Those attending their meetings seek counsel from these “entities.”
What Is the Connection to Black Lives Matter?
The leaders of BLM claim theirs is a “spiritual movement.” Patrisse Cullors, co-founder, and Melina Abdulah, BLM-LA co-founder, are Ifa’ practitioners. During the protests, reciting the names of victims killed by police brutality is intended to call up the dead. “Say the name” is the cry, followed up by chanting the word “Ase'” that means “the power to make things happen, or so let it be.” It is believed to affect a release of divine force.
All riots are preceded by rituals including pouring out libations, which opens the door to demonic manifestations and violence. In no uncertain terms, God forbids this:
“There must not be found among you … one who casts spells, or a spiritualist, or an occultist, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God will drive them out from before you” (Deut. 18:10-12).
Where Is the Connection to Beyonce’ and Jay-Z?
In the 2017 Grammy Awards, Beyonce’ channeled the Yoruba Ifa’ goddess Oshun. She also paid homage toward Yemaya—an Umbanda orisha. Jay-Z raps about Xango, the father of fire, lightning and thunder. Their music is a contaminating influence.
On Revealing the True Light podcast with Mike Shreve, Ivani Greppi—a former Umbanda spiritist medium who had an encounter with Jesus that changed everything—shares her testimony.
We, as believers, should pray for all of those mentioned in this article that they will encounter the love of Jesus and the life-changing power of the truth.
An in-depth article on this subject is on Mike Shreve’s website, thetruelight.net. {eoa}
Mike Shreve has been involved in evangelism (outreach to the world and ministry to the church) since 1971. His passion is to offer a faith-filled, grace-founded, Jesus-focused, power-imparting presentation of the gospel. The motto of the ministry concisely communicates his mission statement: “Speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).
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