Buhera Apostolic Sects' Myths and Beliefs
Harare, Zimbabwe • Cultural • 12 Mar 2023
Since time immemorial, a number of apostolic sects in Zimbabwe have been known for opposing modern traits such as hospitalization and school attendance. The church doctrines of most apostolic sects discourage members from using modern medicine, including child immunization.
The most strict of Zimbabwe's growing Apostolic Church sects require members to seek healing through prayer and faith and reject conventional medicine completely, and this trend has likely contributed to an increase in maternal mortality and is frequently associated with early child marriages. Even in the most serious cases of injury or illness, members of the Johanne Marange Apostolic sect refuse all medical treatment. They believe that only God has the power to heal and that their faith in him enables them to do so.
The most strict of Zimbabwe's growing Apostolic Church sects require members to seek healing through prayer and faith and reject conventional medicine completely, and this trend has likely contributed to an increase in maternal mortality and is frequently associated with early child marriages. Even in the most serious cases of injury or illness, members of the Johanne Marange Apostolic sect refuse all medical treatment. They believe that only God has the power to heal and that their faith in him enables them to do so.
