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Man Who KILLED 20,000 People REPENTS; Now Christian EVANGELIST
It’s a story of transformation that has surprised thousands and shocked all who have heard: a brutal African warlord with a violent past finds Christ and dramatically turns his life around.
Selected for The Economist Film Project, an initiative by The Economist in partnership with PBS NewsHour, “The Redemption of General Butt Naked” is a chilling documentary about the changed life of Joshua Milton Blahyi, once dubbed to be one of Liberia’s most feared warlords.
Now renouncing his violent past – which includes confessing to killing nearly 20,000 people during Liberia’s 14-year civil war – after converting to Christianity, Blahyi seeks to reinvent himself as an evangelist, traveling the nation as a preacher and asking for forgiveness from those whom he had hurt in the past.
Filmmakers Eric Strauss and Daniele Anastasion spent five years with Blahyi, closely following his troubled life as he sought forgiveness from his former soldiers and his numerous victims.
Strauss had become interested in Blahyi after he read about him in a book called The World’s Most Dangerous Places.
“It was just a tiny blurb about a notorious warlord who had killed thousands and was now walking the streets preaching truth and reconciliation,” Strauss told The Los Angeles Times. “I wondered, ‘Could someone like this really exist?’”
Posted by Editor
on December 28, 2011. Filed under INTERNATIONAL NEWS.
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Air Mukwai_
December 28, 2011 at 4:20 am
at last the lost sheep is back to the flock.
we also have so many lost sheep in zambia that need to go back to the flock like nevers mumba,
Wawa
December 28, 2011 at 4:56 am
Tutila ngawaibila munomko indyato, mubweshe indyato wamusendele Elyo mubweshanye. Typical of Abrahimic monotheist followers. They steal from you or even kill you making money in the process then turn round and say lets reconcile. Like Britain for instance balisenda Broken Hill Man and they want to be our friends without the return. Same with this guy he knows that one of the ways to lead a close to know life is to pretend to be a religious guy. Has he given up all the riches he accumulated while killing people?
atm
December 28, 2011 at 5:20 am
@ air mukwai iwe chi air mukwai u lelala. Are u a watchman? Good morning to u all friends
Wawa
December 28, 2011 at 5:38 am
People forgive me for what I said about Jesus yesterday. I now understand and its not your faught. If to be the most intelligent was to determine a mother of a child (Solomon). It lets me know how slow the rest of the clowns were. And remember Solomon was not alive when Jesus was born otherwise he would have known that Joseph was working over time.
Afreakan Observer
December 28, 2011 at 6:18 am
Todays murderers are using the churches backdoor emerging as prophets and pastors, The church is the only place where criminals can steal money without being arrested, meanwhile the killings, child abuse and deception continues!!!
twiumfwako
December 28, 2011 at 6:30 am
That former killer’s salvation depends on the truthfulness of his new church. If it’s one of those that Jesus will tell to GET AWAY FROM HIM COZ HE NEVER KNEW THEM, then that man will cause the death of more people than he killed during the war including.
nakferd
December 28, 2011 at 7:05 am
you dont need to become an evangelist to over emphasise your repentance,unless really he accepted christ as a personal savior i for one needs a second thought of him.only God knows.
Afreakan Observer
December 28, 2011 at 7:07 am
Watch a free documaentary on youtbe titled ‘ Empire in Africa’ you will be shocked at what people like Joshua Blahyi brought upon fellow human beings.
Blayhi guy should be imprisoned for life he is a muderer who has caused unspeakable atrocities he shouldn’t be walking around loose
Shameless
December 28, 2011 at 7:11 am
@twiumfwako, man, you spot on with your observation. Iam not being judgemental but these money hungry, fire centred, freedom infested, good for nurturing sin and devil’s extenssions churches will only manage to secure his freedom and not his sulvation.
RKO
December 28, 2011 at 7:33 am
hope he’s not planning big this time.
sea biscuit
December 28, 2011 at 7:44 am
Nonsense. A person who kills that many people would have been sent to the gallows long ago no matter how relaxed the laws of that nation are. Even a toddler would figure it out.
Xpastor
December 28, 2011 at 8:08 am
some of the atrocities caused by ‘butt naked’ Joshua Blahyi were rape, human sacrifies, cannibalism., murder.. videos on youtube of him boasting about being one of the most feared man in liberia
Wondering
December 28, 2011 at 8:09 am
Arrest the man for crimes against humanity!!!
kaluluta
December 28, 2011 at 8:12 am
One’s own true nature is a dfcult thng 2 shake off.Let me hop he is not hidn in repentance
william
December 28, 2011 at 8:35 am
i now understand why Jesus is the perfect being ever who ever existed,people give him a chance you do not know why he has repented,may his times has come,just like Jesus,has given him a chance,so is every one suppose to please,hear the testimony first,you od not know why God kept with his wickedness up until now.
uko
December 28, 2011 at 8:48 am
@William. Because of weak minds like yours, I can see Zambia with Chinese president in 50 years.
Bwachakalé
December 28, 2011 at 8:57 am
he formed the most feared ‘Butt Naked Battalion’ and fought during the 1996 seige in Monrovia his naked battalion killed people butt naked, they performed voodoo & juju rituals which they belived required them to fight naked so that they could be invisible to bullets and not be hit or killed. All his naked commandos are now elders in his church. Videos of them fighting naked in liberia on youtube….caution: contains very graphic scenes.
ba zambia
December 28, 2011 at 9:10 am
Prais the all LORD OF LORD, GOD
Amake Boyi
December 28, 2011 at 9:11 am
REPENTANCE IS NOT JUSTICE. NOW THAT HE HAS CONFESSED, WE WANT JUSTICE DONE. HE SHOULD NOT RUN TO BE A PREACHER, HE MUST SAVE THE SENTENCE AND THEN BE A PREACHER. EVEN IN PRISON HE CAN PREACH. WE DO NOT NEED SOCIAL MISFITS TO MIX WITH THE INNOCENT. ANY TIME HE CAN CHANGE AGAIN. LET HIM SERVE THE SENTENCE FIRST.
The Last Don
December 28, 2011 at 9:18 am
even if he is a changed man his has to be arrested!
prodigal son
December 28, 2011 at 9:19 am
Why sending people to the grave? Please God help us
trevor c mulele
December 28, 2011 at 9:40 am
there is absolutely anythng God cnt do ,where u see no life he sees t in abandace ….lets nt follow his old path bt follow hes newly shown path to him by the most high God jesus christ…..only a few cn change jst there and then bt for those of us who cnt, lets start the journey of change nw….God b wth all.
Afreakan Observer
December 28, 2011 at 10:00 am
On one of his youtube videos he said when he was a tribal priest, jesus appeared to him in a bright light and gave him a panga to kill people! He prefered to hack people to death than use a gun shot.
The guy is a nutcase!
Afreakan Observer
December 28, 2011 at 10:06 am
he is not a changed man, he is very aggressive when he’s preaching! he’s the same wolf now in sheeps skin!! He is the devil that makes hitler, mugabe, idi amin & Co seem like school girls
Christian
December 28, 2011 at 10:07 am
I see how zambia is nt a christian nation.By a lot of ignorance expressd by pepo concerning christianity.And a lot of pepo who make comments are fools because proverbs says a fool makes a comment before hearing the all matter.God forgives all sins men have done if they repent.live justice to God if He has changed or nt .Some of you watch your comments concerning God of the bible one day you wil blasphemy the Holy Spirit and be damned.Make funs with politician nt with things of God.
Napowa
December 28, 2011 at 10:07 am
Goddamn it!!! This man has killed a lot of unrepentant souls.
Antireligous4worldpeace
December 28, 2011 at 10:08 am
TB Joshua and Joshua Blahyi are the birds of the same feathers
nakferd
December 28, 2011 at 11:23 am
@ christian,u claim to be an exemplary but on the forefront naming your comrades as fools.dont be a goat in a sheep’s skin.mind your words next time you dare to comment.
Antichrist4worldpeace
December 28, 2011 at 12:14 pm
the ‘Christian’ brainwashed ***** above is as ****** as his faith!
I just watched Channel 4- The Redemption of General Blahyi. 1 and half hour docu on youtube.. the guy is a lunatic he has not repented he’s using the church to control and intimidate people.
Ethel
December 28, 2011 at 12:15 pm
This guy is a liar, he could have been in jail doing time. He is just one of those crooks who know that to get rich lie to Christians that you were a sinner and they will believe. In tired of these people who lie in the name of God.
Antichrist4worldpeace
December 28, 2011 at 12:16 pm
@ Christian you are as stup!d as your stup!d faith
justice
December 28, 2011 at 12:31 pm
God said never judge.bt th only thing tht cn show tht this man hs truly repented is for him to seek justice by saving a maximum sentence.pipo bware,th bible says in th lst days false prophets shall arise n wil dceve many!!!
munalian
December 28, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Standing in a church doesn’t make one a Christian just like standing in a garage doesn’t make one a car!!
Wawa
December 28, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Its funny how we are so stuck to the Bible when people who forced it onto us don’t even care about it. That was good brainwashing.
mbuya
December 28, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Why is he moving the streets freely? He should be repentant man behind bars.
iyee
December 28, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Chimangeni ico nakucipeleka ku ndende.nikuti kwamene unaona mukango kutembenuka,watch out.
Reason
December 29, 2011 at 12:02 am
Remember Saul,later turned Saul? If it hadn’t been for him, we would not have the gospel today. If this man is lying then he is not lying to us but to the Creator and putting his eternal life in jeopardy. Let us work out our salvation with fear and trembling…Just saying.
Wawa
December 29, 2011 at 4:35 am
@Reason are you serious that you still believe in the made up eternal life? Africa how low are these con artists gonna drive? Our ancestral spirits give your people wisdom before they are fooled to death
grace
December 29, 2011 at 10:27 am
murder,cannabilism,rape, drugs, etc…. Are not Gods way. joshuas testimony is a true example of what it means to be born again through j. christe. he is clearly a changed man.
jCorrectedZ
December 29, 2011 at 1:49 pm
God forgives and the man’s salvation is guaranteed for he is a changed man (God be praised) but the law of the land does not, AND SHOULD NOT forgive him. He must be tried and jailed like the rest.
Pardon my seemingly vengeful thinking, but I dont think God will impose Himself on a country’s penal code and all those things lawyers brag about
people
December 29, 2011 at 9:24 pm
This is a story about redemption.Nevers Mumba has killed more with lies in Politics He needs to have a turn around and come back to the Ministry.We are waiting for you to serve God.Zambia Shall Be Saved
Hannah Thomas
December 29, 2011 at 11:51 pm
if you are born in a glass house, do not throw stones. None of you now the circumstances that led GBN to do what he did.
uncle D
December 30, 2011 at 5:39 am
Has he given up all the riches he accumulated while killing people? Good question!!! Religion has caused more harm than any other idea since the beginning of time. There’s nothing I can say about it. People use it as a crutch.
Uncle D
December 30, 2011 at 5:44 am
Religion has caused more harm than any other idea since the beginning of time. There’s nothing I can say about it. People use it as a crutch.
Wawa
December 30, 2011 at 6:22 am
@Uncle D I feel you. We more people who think like you do.
Anti Cash crop.
December 30, 2011 at 9:49 am
No no no liar yes he has repented and let justice take its course period.
russell
December 30, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Please arrest the *****. The blood of his people he killed is still crying in His hands and now He knows he can only run away by preaching the word of God. Where did he get his deliverance so that we truly know that he has repented.
pk
December 30, 2011 at 9:45 pm
he should be killed. Let us hope he will not come near me. nothing like he has repent. he is planning to catch again be careful.
wamuza
December 31, 2011 at 8:52 am
AMAKE BOYI, IF HE HAS BEEN CHANGED BY GOD HE CAN NOT GO BACK. CHRIST CHANGES EVEN THE CHIEF OF SINNERS. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE SAUL (APOSTLE PAUL) HAD KILLED BEFORE HIS DRAMATIC CONVERSION ON THE WAY TO DAMASCUS.DOUBTS WERE THERE AS TO HOW GENUINE HIS CONVERSION WAS. THE MAN PAUL WENT ON FROM ONE DEGREE OF GLORY TO THE OTHER. THAT WHICH GOD STARTS CAN NOT BE QUENCHED BY MAN OR EVEN A MILLION DEVILS. AT HIS (JESUS’)NAME DEVILS FEAR AND FLY FROM CHARLES WESLEY’S HYMN
“JESUS! the name high over
In hell, or earth, or sky,
Angels and men before it fall,
And devils fear and fly…. ”
THERE IS NO SIN THAT IS TOO GREAT TO BE CLEANED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS. THIS FORMER WAR LORD MUST BE GIVEN BENEFIT OF DOUBT.
THE FACT THAT HE IS GOING AROUND ASKING FOR FOR FORGIVENESS IS ONE OF THE SIGNS HE IS REPENTANT. I PRAY THE SAME GOD WHO SAVED PAUL AND MADE HIM THE GREATEST PREACHER, SAVED THE THIEF ON THE CROSS WILL WORK IN THIS FORMER WAR LORD TO HIS OWN GLORY
wamuza
December 31, 2011 at 8:56 am
Well said Reason.