Translation:

LIBREVILLE (AFP) - A young pastor of a Church (Pentecostist?) said "of Awakening" drowned monday on a beach of Libreville while wanting to walk on water like Jesus Christ in the Bible.

According to the governement controlled daily newspaper 'L'Union', the pastor of cameronese origin "had a revelation allowing him to reach the Pointe Denis", separated from Libreville by the estuary of Komo, a crossing of around 20 minutes by boat. "Instead of dominating a sea usually merciless with those who defy her, the God servant simply drowned in presence of the photographer, whom he took as a witness of the miracle and a couple of followers who were promised curing/healing", explained the daily newspaper.

The Pencotists Churches, usually of american inspiration, multiplied since the 90s in Gabon, country of 1.3 million inhabitants, which counts more than a thousand of them, gathering around 120,000 followers. The pastors usually promised their followers that their faith will bring them professional and sentimental success, as well as health and wealth. Some even pretend to be able to accomplish miracles like curing all sorts of disease, from a simple cold to aids.

Submitted on 08/30/2006

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: http://fr.news.yahoo.com/29082

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
While the Bible says "Faith can move mountains", most of us who believe take that phrase as a moral lesson and realize that dynamite/bulldozers are more efficient in that capacity. The Bible, like any sacred text, can be a source of wisdom and happiness, but can be dangerous when put in the hands of a superstitious charlatan. I guess the victim missed the many references to "false prophecy". While half of me feels sorry for him, the other half is shaking my head in frustration. Nominal DA here.

Sheryl said:
Maybe Toss: Other
Thanks for the submission. I was tempted to go Neutral on a DA on this one but on second thoughts decided not to. The pastor involved fully believed he could walk on water and while it's stupid to us, it wasn't stupid to him. It was simply a total belief.

Fitzroy said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Whether or not one is religious, it is hard to deny that mountains of arrogance are required to presume to wield powers Biblically attributed to Jesus himself. I don't believe that earnest faith automatically renders a behavior non-stupid. In this case, the blend of arrogance and stupidity seems especially extraordinary and worthy of consideration here.

Jorge said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award

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