RFK Jr and the Role of Witchdoctor in American Statist Religion
Understanding religious Statism is key to understanding why the appointment of Kennedy is such a big deal. He insulted the Medicine Man, and the gods will be angry.
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries (Acts 8:9-11).
Simon the Sorcerer is called Simon the Witchdoctor in some translations of the Bible. It’s probably too liberal a translation, although not far from the intended concept. As Benson’s commentary says, “…the word magus, at least about Christ’s time, seems to have signified much the same with our English word sage, and to have denoted a proficient in learning, and especially in astronomy, and other branches of natural philosophy, to which the Persian magi addicted themselves.”
Sorcerers were almost always healers, and were seen in ancient culture as the wise men (this is why the Magi of Daniel’s sect are called ‘wise men’). Witchdoctors, sages, seers, sorcerers, and magicians - whatever you want to call them - were seen as holders of esoteric, special knowledge. They were looked to for advice, wisdom, healing, insight, and power.
As Luke tells the story in Acts 8, Simon was a legit sorcerer. He had certain powers. But upon claiming conversion, it became clear afterward that what he was really interested in was the Deep Magic of the Apostles. He saw them lay hands on people and bestow upon them the Apostolic Sign Gifts. He didn’t just want the gifts; he wanted the ability to bestow upon others the gifts. And that was clearly only something the Apostles could do. In any event, Simon was rebuked and handed over to the devil.
WITCHDOCTORS IN OCCULTIC AND TRIBAL RELIGIONS
The role of the witchdoctor in third-world religions encompasses a broad spectrum of spiritual, medical, and social functions. In many African societies, for instance, these healers are integral to the community's well-being, serving as both spiritual leaders and medical practitioners. Different cultures and religions call them different things; like Sangoma in Southern Africa or N’anga in Zimbabwe.
These healers are believed to possess knowledge passed down through generations, often combining medicine with spiritual practices. They diagnose ailments not just through physical examination but also through divination, connecting the physical symptoms with spiritual causes. Among the Azande people of Central Africa, traditional healers are known for their ability to diagnose and treat conditions believed to be caused by witchcraft or malevolent spirits. They also mediate disputes, perform rituals for good harvests or rain, and act as keepers of cultural traditions.
The interesting thing about studying witchdoctors in various world religions, is that they are ubiquitous. They’re everywhere. Almost every religion has the witchdoctor.
In Africa, although the terms differ, they are all translated simply as “healer.” In indigenous North American they are referred to as “Medicine Men.” In South America, the term loosely translates to “Shaman.” In Asia they are called “Spirit Healers.” In ancient Europe they were referred to as “the Cunning Man.” In the Pacific Islands they are called Kahuna, meaning “experts.”
SPIRITUAL MEDIATION
Because God has written his law on our hearts, false religions share similarities to the true religion of the Holy Bible, only put through the filter of sinful men. Concepts like atonement, blessing, curses, and worship are nearly universal. And one of these universal concepts is that of mediation.
Mediation, in a spiritual concept, is the notion that men are not ordinarily permitted to speak to or deal directly with the gods. In some religions, like Greek mythology, this is because the gods are notoriously ill-tempered. In some, like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, it’s because God is holy. In Eastern Mysticism, it’s because men have not yet reached the state of enlightenment.
Different religions believe in different kinds of mediation. Among the pagan religions of Native Americans and in ancient European paganism, animal spirits serve as mediators. For Eastern Mystics, it’s the ancestors. In Ancient Egypt it was the Pharaohs and his magicians. In Ancient Israel, it was through priests. In Roman Catholicism it’s a combination of Christ, Mary, and the Saints. In Biblical Christianity, the meditator is Christ alone.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).
In many of these religions, it’s the witchdoctor who serves as mediator. All healing, by primitive cultures, is believed to be divine. Therefore, the healer, witchdoctor, shaman, or Medicine Man is the go-between the source of healing - the deities - and humanity. And for this reason, the Witchdoctors are almost universally revered as sacred.
In many African cultures, traditional healers are deeply respected and are integral to community life. For instance, in South Africa, Sangomas or Inyangas are often consulted alongside modern doctors, reflecting a dual health system where traditional and Western medicine coexist. Governments in some countries, like South Africa, have even integrated traditional medicine into their national health systems.
But in ancient cultures throughout the world, hurting or even insulting witchdoctors often carried the penalty of death. They were to be treated with utmost respect because, after all, they brought divine healing straight from the gods. Often times, someone insulting a witchdoctor would undergo ritualistic killing, to atone the crime and ensure the gods didn’t take it out on the whole community.
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The Scripture says that those who sacrifice to false gods are, in fact, sacrificing to demons (1 Corinthians 10:20). This is no metaphor, but literal; demonic beings are the benefactors and objects of all false worship. Just as Lucifer tried to ascend to God’s throne, his offspring - the demons - desire the place of God in the affections of men. They accomplish this by inventing false religions.
Because all false religions are the inventions of demons, the same common traits of these false gods are seen repeatedly throughout history and vary little between various Occultic sects. The same satanic themes are seen over and again, and this is true for American Statism.
THE RELIGION OF STATISM
Statism is over-reliance on or worship of the state (body-politic). Statism is a religion in the following ways:
Statism involves a faith-based belief in the necessity and benevolence of government, akin to religious faith where one believes in the state's ability to solve problems, provide security, and ensure prosperity without empirical evidence or with skepticism towards alternatives.
Like any religion, Statism has Sacred Texts. These include constitutions, laws, and government decrees are sometimes likened to sacred texts or scriptures. Believers in statism might revere these documents as infallible or at least as the ultimate authority in society.
Statism has sacred imagery. National anthems, flags, and ceremonies (like pledge of allegiance or national holidays) are rituals that reinforce loyalty and faith in the state, similar to religious rites that bind communities together. Please note: I am not arguing that these things alone constitute Statism, but that all these characteristics combined certainly do.
Statism has prophets and priests. Politicians, bureaucrats, and other government officials are essential sacred clergy, who guide, interpret, and enforce the State deity’s will.
Statism has a tithe. Paying taxes perpetuates the viability of religion. “Tax cheats” are treated as heretics who have withheld their tithe from the religious authorities, and they must be tracked down and excommunicated (imprisoned).
Statism has martyrs. These are often not politicians (although they can be, like Lincoln). Most often, they are cultural figures who receive veneration demanded by the state, like George Floyd and Martin Luther King.
Statism has its own moral system. The state often dictates moral or ethical standards through legislation. When the state sanctions a sin - like homosexuality or abortion - Statists assume it is no longer immoral. When the state prohibits something (like a Social Media platform, such as TikTok) it is considered by Statists to be morally verboten.
Statism promises its own utopia. Just as Christianity promises Heaven, the Watchtower Society promises Paradise, Buddhism promises Nirvana, Greek Mythology promised the Elysian Fields, and Northern European paganism promised Valhalla, the state is often presented as the vehicle for social salvation or the creation of a utopian society.
Statism has sacred spaces. After January 6, you heard the Statists tell you that the “sacred halls of the U.S. capitol” had been “profaned.” This is thoroughly religious language. Courtrooms, monuments, and capitol buildings are treated as spiritually sacred places.
ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR AND THE WITCHDOCTOR TRIALS
Just as with any pagan religion, American Statists venerate the role of Medicine Man. During and following Covid, Statists demanded that we give Anthony Fauci, Francis Collins, and other modern day Witchdoctors practically religious reverence. They not only represent science, we were told, they are science. The World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were seen as modern day versions of Daniel’s Magi, Pharaoh’s magicians, or perhaps the Jewish Sanhedrin. Anyone with MD behind their name was treated with the same respect as the Samaritans showed Simon the Sorcerer.
Critics of these witchdoctors were seen as heretics, who had to be exiled and purged from society. Their insults came close to being criminal offenses (other nations indeed locked up critics of the Modern Day Magi).
The spells and potions of the Medicine Men became mandated by the state, and peer pressure from religious Statists ostracized those who doubted that there was cure in their elixirs. Critics of the Medicine Men were told that we were to blame for the death figures, and because we would not wear a mask - a sign of faith, considering no study existed that showed they worked - our lack of faith would surely collapse our civilization. It was all very pagan. It wasn’t science; it was tribal superstition.
And what you have seen in recent days from the nomination hearings for Robert F. Kennedy Jr is the closest thing we’ve seen to a religious inquisition on this continent. Shrieking, hysterical Statist faithful inquired of Kennedy exactly how much faith he lacked in their Shamans. They demanded to know if he would dare prevent any further spell-casting or potion-brewing. The gods were going to be very, very mad at America for allowing a skeptic to run the temple. The Statists worshippers asked him his position on doctrinal issues like vaccines, and did so with more fervor than any evangelical undergoes an ordination presbytery council.
The extent of so much visceral hate from the Statist establishment toward Kennedy might seem odd, if you didn’t understand that by questioning the witchdoctors is tantamount to questioning the entire religion. If this idea spreads - that the State does not have the power of Jehovah Rapha to heal disease - then the entire religion is in jeopardy.
This is why it doesn’t matter that Kennedy is largely a Statist himself. Because he isn’t a believer on this one important doctrine, he must be resisted. For Statists, the government’s power to heal is the hinge upon which the door of their religion swings. For if government cannot heal disease, there perhaps is reason to believe in an altogether different God. And for that reason, the Statists simply consider Kennedy to be an untenable option to serve as Shaman for their religion. For this role, they need a true believer.
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Kennedy isn't against vaccines, he believes in them. He doesn't like the fact that the "witch doctors" decided they didn't need to test the vaccines properly. I'm not even sure it is necessary for the government tell the witch doctors to properly test the vaccines because the government already gave the alchemists immunity from prosecution against the chemical cocktails.
The other side of the Statist term is that if you happen to defend something the government enforces, like a law, a libertarian will call you a Statist.
I never understood "follow the science" mantra. I would see it posted in the Doctor's office, but if you started to ask questions they would get defensive. Early on, I was skeptical. My primary care dropped me as a patient, I guess because I would not bow down to her superior training and medical degree. No one would explain "the science" but I was to follow it or else !! I agree with you, RFK has many beliefs I disagree with. However, holding them accountable for their witch's brew is something I can get behind. Thanks for the great explanation in your article.