Addressing and Deconstructing False Theology in Tanzania; Causes, Reasons and Effects

Abstract

The Lake zone area of Tanzania and the western zone area in the country face acute prevalence of subtle religious sects that lure the society into advent social and economic vulnerability and instability. The study sought to identify the factors that compel many Christians and people around them, accept and practice theological contents that are misleading.  Misleading theology as defined in this study is a term of the 21st century that tries to explain the nexus between spirituality and physical manifestations done by some religious leaders using manipulative scripture to exhibit instant solutions to the problems of the believer in areas of “health and healing”, wealth and prosperity, power and authority, blessing and curses. While vulnerability remains at its largest after such manifestations; the survey sought to find out ways of restoration against the current theological misinterpretation surge, the scriptural confusion in the area, and how the Theological institutions address the problem of abuse of scripture. The observed effects of these practices include society’s advent vulnerability, lack of peace, social disintegration and deaths. The survey used questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and document review of seven Lutheran dioceses to obtain data from both Christians and non-Christian respondents. The surveyed area was a deliberate intent owing to the outstanding surge of such practices in the country. The findings revealed factors such as psychological, emotional, economical, faith and religiosity issues as responsible for the acceptance and practice of misleading theologies. The study recommends a common code of ethics for all religious organizations for control of faith practices; Religions impose internal controls for mitigating abuse of theology profession while the Government should impose strict control for registration of Faith based activities and monitor religious education provision in schools and colleges