I am not an expert on Christianity in Africa, although I have visited Lagos twice. African Traditional Religion is now widely taught in African universities, but its identity remains essentially negative: African belief that is not Christianity or Islam. Natural religions are indigenous and automatically a part of the person’s life, while salvation religions … I am not saying that converts to Christianity from African traditional beliefs practice polygamy, I am presuming your original purpose is to clarify what is acceptable and workable within Christianity for … One common explanation points to a resurgence of religion in the face o… African Traditional Religion in the singular to refer to the whole African religious phenomena, even if we are, in fact, dealing with multiplicity of theologies. The Civil Rights Movement was not withheld from the influence of religion, particularly Christianity and Islam. Of course, the picture is not all rosy. Both belief systems spread both rapidly and were efficient religions that brought great change for the greater good. The nature of the two classes of religions are very different from each other. As in the early twentieth century period in Africa, contemporary trends relating to the relation between religion and politics in Africa often reflect not only what occurs locally, but are also connected to what takes place outside the region. The coming of colonialism and its concomitant Christianity helps to … They believe different things about life after we die on earth, they believe that different things are and are not God, and they believe different types of people are and are not prophets and priests. Science and traditional medicine: an interactive analysis / Gabriel A. Ajadi; In the discourse of Christianity and traditional medicine / A.O. The traditional African religion is part of our culture and traditions and there is very little we can do about it. All rights reserved. I seek, in this article, to contest the claim that the Christian faith, as one of the major religions in Africa, predominantly fosters negative effects (like conflicts, laziness, fear, lack of curiosity/creativity and violence), and argue that Christianity has been a contributor to progress and development and also a force for more peaceful societies in Africa and the world. One can see when looking at world religion on a whole that Islam was no more violent than any other religion. Your response. This country is known to have one of the largest populations among the African countries. Nigeria has about 170 million residences which is about half of current population in United States. I have heard that Christianity has a lot of pagan influence, can you comment on this? Site design and hosting by Whistlepig Softworks, LLC. Introduction Complex systems of beliefs in the spiritual qualities of nature and at the sametime the conception of a Supreme Being are the two significant traits whichcharacterises the traditional religion of Nyishi people. What is Kabbalah? These statements await further exploration by African theologians. Cone concludes that the different social and economic backgrounds are Time will tell whether Christian values will continue to have more influence in Africa. Both religions share a similar history and tradition. Many say in an age of science the Bible cannot be reliable if it claims creation in just six days, given that evolution is proven. W. L. Craig says that the Jews believed in a kingly Messiah would free them from Rome. The focus is ... whether African Traditional Religion should be termed monotheistic or polytheistic. Please help me out. Therefore, slaves were able to quietly practice African traditions as well as be, The spread of Islam and Christianity. Christianity has clearly not completely taken hold in Africa. ... most of the rituals and day to day religious practices centre on the ancestors, who are believed to have more impact on daily life. If so, then is the Old Testament not reliable? Since the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, African Traditional Religion (hereafter ATR) ceased to have monopoly over its own context. Modern Africa is moving away from these superstitions. Abstract: The inception, evangelization and missionary activities of Christianity and Islam in How Christianity And Islam Blended Into Traditional African Beliefs The three categories The first includes religions that are based on worshiping ancestors, spirits, or gods. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Religion was changed from what it would have been to Christianity today. European nations decided they wanted land in the mostly unexplored continent, and they took it, without the consent of the African people. I have studied the history of Africa quite a bit, but I am not part of that culture. What was the history of the continent before the advent of Christianity? Where were some of the areas where Christianity was found? In and weaknesses in each man's philosophy and the effects they had on As long as there are people to uphold traditions, they will always be present in Africa. Christianity appealed to the people because of their unwillingness to live on and how hopeless they were to move forward in poverty. The elusive nature explains why tens and hundreds of definitions of religion litter our textbooks today. Muslim men of religion were peacemakers, who pleaded for those who broke the king’s laws. The influence of Christianity on African Traditional Religion and African Christian Before the arrival of Christianity, Islam and the other foreign religions, people were afraid to take other people's wives. The traditionalist performs some ritualistic ceremonies before burying a dead person. Although relatively small in area and population, Ghana is one of the leading countries of Africa, partly because of its considerable natural wealth and partly because it was the first black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule. Source: John L. Esposito, ed., The Oxford History of Islam, Oxford University Press Mosques, like traditional shrines, were considered sanctuaries. The basis of Christianity in Africa is the same as Christianity in other parts of the world, no matter how much African tradition there is. Immunity of life and property was extended to men of religion only as long as they kept out of politics and posed no threat to the existing sociopolitical order. the 1960's. I believe that with the advent of Christianity in parts of Africa, there has been a huge change is the amount of superstition. If you, western Africa, situated on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. The Christianity has clearly not completely taken hold in Africa. author then argues that their religions are what would lead them to The traditional African religions (or traditional beliefs and practices of African people) are a set of highly diverse beliefs that include various ethnic religions.. Generally, these traditions are oral rather than scriptural, include belief in a supreme creator, belief in spirits, veneration of the dead, use of magic and traditional African medicine. The traditional religious view in Igbo concept of death is that a man is dead when his soul leaves the body for the land of the dead . In the Bible, polygamy is condemned and it is considered a sin. . Traditional African religion is very popular and arrived here with our North and West African ancestors. Current Status Of Christianity In Africa. Many of the key players such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, who were devoted to the cause of justice and equality for African Americans, gained their passion from their spiritual roots. Europe brought Christian ideas into Africa. A less rigorous version of the pro-traditional tendency in African Christianity seeks to cushion the impact of modernity; Christianity is viewed as a buffer in the inevitable yet potentially destructive process of change (cf. As seen in both films, African tradition and indigenous has never completely faded and probably never will. The church had to squash the idea of duality in each element of Gnostic Christianity. to Josephus John the Baptist died 5 years after Jesus and that the gospel writers rewrote history to fit the Jesus narrative? Some propose that the universe is self-thinking and conscious. Time will tell whether Christian values will continue to have more influence in Africa. How has the culture changed? What has been the impact of Christianity in Africa? Were the Jews in the first century aware that the Christians claimed they were responsible for the death of Jesus? People were afraid to unjustly attack and trample upon the rights of innocent people. For many Africans and Ghanaians, in particular, it is religion more than anything else that shapes their worldview and participation in social life6. 1 According to The Oxford History of Islam, what is one way Islam was spread to African societies, African Traditional Religions are still practiced today, along with Christianity and Islam. Which is correct? 1. One of the other areas of conflict between the traditional religion and Christianity in Igbo nation is in burial ceremonies. Falola (3) says that not only it has large population, but also its land size is a little bigger than the size of the U.S. state of Texas. It is often combined with elements of Christianity and Islam. However, as seen in the film, it is openly practiced by Christian priests and bishops. What kind of person was Pontius Pilate? Although there are many differences in African Christianity and Western Christianity, there are also many similarities. In African Christianity, spiritual healing and herbal medicine play a vital role in the religion. African Traditional Religion, Islam, and Christianity African Traditional Religion, Islam, and Christianity are three extremely different religions that have very different belief systems. This testifies to the enduring power of indigenous religion and its ability to domesticate Christianity and Islam in modern Africa. To understand the issue one must go back to the beginnings of anthropology in the 19th century and follow its evolution (see 19th-Century Background ). Despite the intensity of Christian missionary effort and the thousand years of Muslim proselytising which have marked the various parts of Africa, African religions contiued to manifest vitality everywhere. African traditional religions have been washed away, and especially with Christianity, they are viewed as pagan and heathen in nature. It is the religion which resulted from the sustaining faith held by the forebears of the present Africans, and which is being practised today in various forms and . In addition to being known for its lush forests, diverse animal life, and miles of sandy, African Religion and Its Influence on Christianity and Islam Essay, African Religion and its Influence on Christianity and Islam Traditional African religion has been the basis of spirituality for the people of Africa. African traditional religions have been washed away, and especially with Christianity, they are viewed as pagan and heathen in nature. Abstract: The inception, evangelization and missionary activities of Christianity and Islam in Nkusukum-Ekumfi-Enyan traditional area in the Central Region of Ghana resulted in the conversions of the indigenous people, mainly, from African Traditional Religion … The impact of Christianity in Nigeria 1. Travel played an enormous role in conversion because of the missionaries, Islamic Religion The revival Africans. Did Moses copy the Old Testament from other sources? Imperialism is defined as the extension or rule or influence by one government, nation, or society over the political, economic, or cultural life of another. African Traditional Religion, Islam, and Christianity African Traditional Religion, Islam, and Christianity are three extremely different religions that have very different belief systems. I believe you will have to look at the history of the continent of Africa itself; especially sub-Saharan Africa. Topic: The Impact of African Traditional Religious Beliefs and Cultural Values on Christian-Muslim Relations in Ghana from 1920 through the Present: A Case Study of Nkusukum-Ekumfi-Enyan traditional area of the Central Region. Under the influence of Christianity, education, personal responsibility, personal morality and individual freedom are all improving. Juliet Highet/Black Star develop, Influence of Religion on the Civil Rights Movement Continue Reading. People were afraid to cheat on other people. They were the largest religions in the entire world and both happened to be monotheistic. There were many taboos intended to influence such superstitious beliefs. As is often noted, over the last three decades of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century, religion has generally had a considerable impact on politics in many regions of the world, not just in Africa. How do you respond to the claim that acc. ?What needs were answered by Christianity?? what led these two men to practice their respective religions. Of course, it has not in Europe or North America as well. Does God command that a man should only have one wife? 1. The African traditional religion or voodoo has helped us a lot especially in shaping our moral standards and giving us a sense of identity. TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND IMPACTS OF CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE NYISHISI. African-American's view on which way freedom could be best achieved in The Link between ATR and the Global Christian Community: using the Cones’ Trajectory of Black Theology. [49] [50] Jesse Mugambi claims that the Christianity taught to Africans by missionaries had a fear of syncretism, which was carried on by current African Christian leadership in an attempt to keep Christianity "pure." People saw phenomena such as weather, disease and human fate as subject to the whims of varios gods. This is because African Traditional Religion is a natural religion while Islam and Christianity are salvation religions. Shaw 1996, 235). Children were afraid to … The Gabriel inscription predicts a Messiah who would resurrect on the third day. Thus, the advent of colonial masters led to the introduction of a new religion, Christianity, which is added to the two available religions, African traditional religion already exiting then. Through these religious leaders organizations, people from several Western African regions brought their religious beliefs with them. Africa, and specifically Nigeria is subject to many problems, including corruption, greed, continued sexual immorality and violence. Traditional religion was very much based on fear of the unknown and unending sacrifices, including human sacrifices, to appease the. The Bible and Christian theology have to address this foundational and dominant influence and impact upon the traditional African life. The Bible and Christian theology have to address this foundational and dominant influence and impact upon the traditional African life. It is the done thing to glamorise the virtues of African traditional religion and to demonise the missionaries who brought the Christian faith to us. In the film Man, God and Africa, for example, there was a traditional healer lady known as “the sangoma.” This woman was a Christian, and practiced spiritual healing and used herbal medicines to cure people with diseases. Ghana. Although the majority of Africans today are adherents of Christianity or Islam, African people often combine the practice of their traditional belief with the practice of Abrahamic religions. In the Bible, polygamy is condemned and it is considered a sin. How would this work if the universe was created? In fact, not only is Islam not a fundamentally violent philosophy, but we can also see that many other religions normally, Nigeria is located on the western coast of Africa, surrounded by Benin, Cameroon, and Niger. The central characteristic of African Christianity is that it is experience-based. The traditional African religions (or traditional beliefs and practices of African people) are a set of highly diverse beliefs that include various ethnic religions.. Generally, these traditions are oral rather than scriptural, include belief in a supreme creator, belief in spirits, veneration of the dead, use of magic and traditional African medicine. Africa, and specifically Nigeria is subject to many problems, including corruption, greed, continued sexual immorality and violence. society then and now. Upon examination, it is not fair to make the generalization that Islam is a religion of violence. Introduction Complex systems of beliefs in the spiritual qualities of nature and at the sametime the conception of a Supreme Being are the two significant traits whichcharacterises the traditional religion of Nyishi people. It is no longer a religion in isolation of other contexts. In other words, Nigeria has a very dense population regarding its size of land, effect on the African way of life, that in some ways were good, and in some ways bad. The beliefs and practices of the traditional religions in Africa can enrich Christian theology and spirituality." exploring the extensive area of Influence of Christian Religion on African Traditional Religion/Value Systems. Cape Coast Castle, Ghana Mysticism? In the film, people were being baptized at a local beach on the coast. Many Africans across the continent are becoming more open about the idea of blending of traditional African religious practices with various other religions, including Christianity and Islam. In the US, baptisms are usually private and not open in a public beach. Inter-religious relations, especially, among African Traditional Religion (ATR) worshippers, Muslims and Christians are becoming sources of social tension and violence. Under these pagan beliefs such activities as drunkenness, sexual immorality, sexual abuse and violence were rampant. Adherents of traditional religions in sub-Saharan Africa are distributed among 43 countries and are estimated to number over 100 million.. The African traditional Traditional Beliefs Blending The next category includes religions based on worshiping animals, the land, Religion has had a profound effect on numerous events throughout the course of American history. African Traditional Religion in the singular to refer to the whole African religious phenomena, even if we are, in fact, dealing with multiplicity of theologies. However, as seen in the film, it is openly practiced by Christian priests and bishops. How has the human view of self been changed? In Africa the traditional religions are a major source for the study of the African experience of God. hand with the study of the people who practise the religion. Topic: The Impact of African Traditional Religious Beliefs and Cultural Values on Christian-Muslim Relations in Ghana from 1920 through the Present: A Case Study of Nkusukum-Ekumfi-Enyan traditional area of the Central Region. “Although Christianity and Islam have added distinct elements to African religions, each has been and continued to be adapted to and shaped by Africa’s indigenous religious heritage” [Ambrose Moyo, 2007:326 “Religion in. John Oakes Sermons in Bakersfield: John X Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind. The baptism rituals in Africa are different than they are in other parts of the world. Okunade; Science, religion and evil: a Christian perspective / F.A. Kwesi Yankah and John Mbiti argue that many African peoples today have a 'mixed' religious heritage to try to reconcile traditional religions with Abrahamic faiths. Christianity in Africa and in most parts of Africa … In present time, Christianity is actually, varying theories began to shape the The belief in the impersonal (mystical) power is dominant and pervasive in traditional African religious thought. What has been the impact of Christianity in Africa, using Lagos as a case study? In 1900, nine million Christians lived in Africa compared to the 380 million in 2000. . Critical Analysis of the Clift Village Shopping Centre Project Management Plan, Essay on Case Study on International Joint Business Ventures. The whole of creation, nature and all things and objects are consumed with this impersonal power. When we speak of African Traditional Religion, we mean the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of the Africans. Is it Gnosticism? Another was that African tradition influenced Christianity was by the practicing of polygamy by bishops and priests of a church. The whole of creation, nature and all things and objects are consumed with this impersonal power. There was not a strong pressure for slaves convert to Christianity initially, so the cultural bonds between Africa and the enslaved remained intact (Gomez 1998: 249). Islam was mainly spread through Arab territorial conquests. Your efforts are noteworthy but limited in perspective as it relates to the African slave religion… There are many reasons why I ascribe to my traditional African religion or customs; the most obvious reason being the association of Christianity with colonisation and the impact it has had on African mentality. The spiritual beliefs of West African groups and Islam were both brought over by slaves, but Christianity became a new outlet for religious expression for enslaved Africans. One can only hope that it does. I believe you as an African are in many ways more qualified than I to answer this. The beliefs and practices of the traditional religions in Africa can enrich Christian theology and spirituality." Impact of Christianity in respect of Education in Nigeria Christianity, as a book religion and as an institution concerned with moral life of the black people has made a significant contribution in the introduction and continued development of formal western education in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Your article is interesting yet it does not accurately interpret the great impact of the African Spiritual Traditions on the foundation of African American Christianity. How did Matthew learn about the dream that Pilate's wife had? Traditional, animist religion saw humans as being subject to the whims of local gods. Cone's last analysis of these two men is of the strengths The latter confirms that African culture is predominently patriarchal. TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND IMPACTS OF CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE NYISHISI. If the Sabbath is holy, why do Christians worship on Sunday? What are some good arguments to support the claim that evolution needs to have an intelligent creator in order for it to work? Of course, it has not in Europe or North America as well. Islam has been characterized inequitably by historians and the media as a religion of violence. The influence of African Traditional Religions on Christianity was in direct conflict with the newly forming Roman Catholic Church who insisted they were divinely ordained by the one and only Christian God. These statements await further exploration by African theologians. They believe different things about life after we die on earth, they believe that different things are and are not God, and they believe different types of people are and are not prophets and priests. Religion is elusive in nature and this makes it difficult to have one universally accepted definition of religion. Although there are many differences in African Christianity and Western Christianity, there are also many similarities. The belief in the impersonal (mystical) power is dominant and pervasive in traditional African religious thought. The original religions of Africa “are not static”; according to Mayo, “contacts with Christian and Islamic traditions have brought about transformations and syncretism of all three” a perfect example of the triple heritage of Africa[5]. There has been a notable growth in the population of Christians residing in Africa while on the other hand observance of traditional African religions has been on a decline. Would this prove pantheism? Copyright ® 2020 Evidence for Christianity. While everyone is entitled to their religion, it is the same religion which has shaped Africa's history especially with the advent of imperialism and colonialism upon which it was built. If the OT prophecies of the Messiah came true, why did Jews not believe in Jesus? In Africa the traditional religions are a major source for the study of the African experience of God. Is Ehrman right? However, traditional religion shows resilience in its impact in such areas as Africans’ historical-cultural roots, self-consciousness and expectations (Mbiti 1999:257; see also Ejizu 2002:127-129). Baur reports that “modern Egyptian Christians...trace back the origin of their faith to the very origins of Christianity itself.”20 Christianity boomed in the North and North East Africa as early as the first and second centuries; the most progressive being the Ethiopian Christians who were able to integrate the message of Christ to their milieu and language.21 Because of their deep rooted form of Christianity … African Religion and its Influence on Christianity and Islam Traditional African religion has been the basis of spirituality for the people of Africa. Another was that African tradition influenced Christianity was by the practicing of polygamy by bishops and priests of a church. For example, in the film Man, God and Africa, the wedding ceremony at the end of the film is very similar to Christian wedding ceremonies in the US culture. Christianity made its way into African culture before Islam did, with its first roots dating back to the first century. Akinseye; The performative nature of African religion, Islam and Christianity / Ojuade, Jeleel Olasunkanmi While everyone is entitled to their religion, it is the same religion which has shaped Africa's history especially with the advent of imperialism and colonialism upon which it was built. Viewed as pagan and heathen in nature ( mystical ) power is dominant and pervasive in traditional life. A bit, but i am not part of our culture and traditions and there is little., polygamy is condemned and it is openly practiced by Christian priests and bishops saw humans as being subject the., like traditional shrines, were considered sanctuaries of Jesus and conscious religion while and... Christianity today each element of Gnostic Christianity this impersonal power mostly unexplored continent and. Gulf of Guinea like traditional shrines, were considered sanctuaries the Sabbath is holy, why did Jews believe! 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