Idolatry and the occult

Exodus 20:3-5

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God

Brazil is a country steeped in religous traditions, yet the majority of the people here have strong ties to idolatry and the occult. This idol is known as Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil and is the patron saint of this country. The story of how this idol came into existence begins in 1717, when news arrived that heads of state from Portugal would be visiting the province of São Paulo and Minas Gerais and would be passing through the village of Guaratinguetá on their way.

Three fishermen were sent out by the local authorities to find fish in the Paraiba river. After many hours of fishing, they had caught nothing. Finally, it is said that one of the men, in their last attempt, cast their net in the water and brought back the headless body of a doll. He threw his net in again and reeled in the head of the doll. After that, according to the legend, the fish arrived in abundance for these humble fishermen.

For the next 15 years, people came to the home of these fishermen to venerate the doll. As this cult began to grow and according to the story, many prayers were said to have been answered. Soon this doll took on the name “Our Lady” and her fame and powers began to spread throughout Brazil. Around 1734, the family of fishermen built a prayer chapel, which soon became too small. Twice, the chapel had to be increased in size and finally, in 1834, construction began on a larger church. In 1904, this statue was crowned Our Lady of Conception Aparecida and in 1928, she was proclaimed Queen of Brazil.

Today, you will find statues of this doll all over the country and in gift shops. These pictures of this idol, located to the right and below, were carved our of stone and are located on a bluff overlooking the beach in the city of Torres.

There are hundreds of plaques cemented on the bluff surrounding this shrine, thanking this idol for various blessings or containing specific prayer requests.

We watched as people bowed before this idol, burned incense and lit candles for her, touched her, left offerings or gifts forher and prayed to her.

This last picture is a shrine made for this idol, which is located in the front yard of a residence. It is very common to see small shrines for her in someone's yard, but this is by far the most elaborate we have seen.

Jeremiah 44:25 - 26

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying; We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows. Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.