Traditional african cultural practices paved the way for foreign way of doing things as africans became fully westernised. There are many differences that exist in the myths of who and how this high god. Points of contrast between african traditional religion and christianity god the understanding of god normally needs some refining when one comes from african traditional religion to be a christian. Midterm 1 in this essay i will compare and contrast the. It is also important to note at the outset that african spirituality is similar to other forms of. Points of contrast between african traditional religion and christianity god. African traditional religion is the religions system of the africans before they become exposed or mixed up with other religions notably judaism, christianity and islam. It is necessary to have the perception of the basic concept of the word conflict before exploring the extensive area of conflicts between african traditional religion and christianity. Though each religion is unique, some religions have several traits in common. It does not exist in a vacuum or up there in the blues but among humans. Christianity and the african traditional religions scielo.
The place of african traditional religion in interreligious encounters in sierra leone since the advent of islam and christianity is my own work and that all the sources that i have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. Ancestor spirits and their role in african traditional. Abstract the study is about the encounters between christianity and the african traditional religions in fante funeral practices. Despite that african traditional religion unifies, africa being a multi racial, multi ethnic, multi religious and multi culture and belief, it enriches other religions like christianity. Traditional african religion and other religions wikipedia. Crises of life in african religion and christianity. Conflicts between african traditional religion and christianity in. African traditional religion has grown out of the african soil. Hence, it is important for african traditional religion to enrich christianity. In this essay i will compare and contrast the idea of a high god between the african and native american religions. Atr african traditional religion introduction three religions dominates african continent. He has been there before, due to the fact that a trusted, african cardinal, the late bernardin gantin, was from this west african country. It should be noted that any attempt to generalize about the nature of african religions risks wrongly implying that there is homogeneity among all african cultures.
While atrs are varied in their attitudes towards any subject, generally speaking we did not find points of contention with others over religion. Points of contrast between african traditional religion and christianity. Adelakun abstract in his book titled bible and theology in african christianity, john mbiti shares his beliefs about theological issues such as faith, prayer and salvation and how they are understood in african christianity. The understanding of god normally needs some refining when one comes from african traditional religion to be a christian.
The missionary version of christianity accepted by africans can be described as hypocritical. If focuses on ghana but could pobably apply to most african countries. Although christianity and islam have added distinct elements to african religions, each has been and continued to be adapted to and shaped by. Therefore, a religion is not only about christianity. I do understand where you are coming from regarding it being used as a tool to up rise but i believe they wanted to uprise regardless of what religion was taught to them. Conflicts between african traditional religion and. And, one begins to wonder the difference between this traditional. Pdf the significance of religious education in local. Although there are other religions in africa such as islam and judaism, this study concentrates on african. In contrast, the content of the education provided by the missionaries was only biased towards religion. The pentecostalization of christianity in africa has led to a form of religion in which beliefs and community are not of central importance. The concept of god, divinities and spirits in african traditional religious ontology has been so misunderstood by many scholars to the point of seeing africans as people who did not know the supreme being nor worship him. One may be surprised that this question is asked here, because the title of this article is, christianity and african traditional religions.
The african continent to understand african religion, it helps to look at africa itself. Since the birth of democracy in south africa, this religion has occupied an important position. Christianity vs islam difference and comparison diffen. Faso more than 33 percent follow african religion, although it is not the religion of the majority. There are many reasons why i ascribe to my traditional african religion or customs. World civilizations and history of human development african civilizations. Christianity in africa and in most parts of africa even in india was a. With africa subjugated and dominated, the western culture and european mode of civilisation began to thrive and outgrow african cultural heritage. Open epub for conflicts between african traditional religion and christianity. Christianity and islam have more in common than most people know they are both monotheistic abrahamic religions, and jesus christ is an important, revered figure in both religions followers of christianity called christians believe in the holy trinity, and that christ, the son of god, walked the earth as the incarnate form of god the father. The others important feature in african traditional religion is the. The essential role of chi concept is seen in the igbo proverb, which says. In studying comparative religion, it becomes clear that in each religion, there appears what may be assumed as similarities and differences between each given religion and christianity.
Religion in africa religions and beliefs in africa the pope recently visited benin. African religion cannot be separated from daily life. Christianity, islam, and judaism are three of the most influential world religions in history. It presents the worldview, philosophical nature and foundation of african traditional religion. For us, god defends us and our faith, not the other way around. Encounters between christianity and the african traditional religions in fante funeral practices take, and what effect do the practices have on the individual. Comparing and contrasting the different religions essay. How do african concepts of god relate to the god of the. Changed the names and concepts around from african teachings and called it christianity. African religions, religious beliefs and practices of the peoples of africa.
Traditional african religions have shared notable relationships with other religions, cultures, and traditions throughout the history, they are often noted for having one of the oldest presence in the world, and also applauded for its tolerance with other religions. I believe this assertion to be correct and so the question, how do african concepts of god relate to the god of the bible. Lastly, to my parents and loved ones for the wonderful roles they have played in my life, i shall forever be. In order to be authentically african, christianity has to meet the needs of africans in their. This paper seeks to examine how africans conceive of the supreme being, divinities and spirits. Is there anything called african traditional religions atr at all. God is esteemed by both african religion and christianity as both the very ground being. This paper primarily addresses the controversy among scholars on whether oral traditions such as myths, songs, wise sayings, incantations, invocations, legends, etc.
Instead of god keeping his distance from man, he, throughout history and today reaches down in love to draw humans toward him. This is the complete text of what is african traditional religion. Religion enters into every aspect of the life of the africans and it cannot be studied in isolation. It is, however, important to know that god is the only creator and owner of the heavens. The impact of african traditional religious beliefs and cultural values on. The difference between this traditional western concept of religion and an african. African traditional religion in a globalizing world. Bryan s turner, 2011, religion and contemporary sociological theories, sociopedia. The relationship of christianity to african traditional religion, part four continued from part three in my opinion, those who believe continuity explains the relationship between christianity and atr overstate their case. Those who believe in discontinuity between christianity and atr understate the connection between the two. Contact points between african traditional religion and christianity. He states in comparison that, the lineage is part of the clan found in one locality. The concept of god traditional religion believes in the existence of a supreme deity who.
Revival of ancient traditions impact of christianity on ancient traditions and african indigenous religion. Traditional african religions have shared notable relationships with other religions, cultures. Christianity was undoubtedly the religion created by those who conquered african nations. Each facet of a black africans life is bound to his traditional religious way of life or culture. The religious beliefs, practices and the provision of social services of these immigrant religions have impacted on the religious and cultural life of the traditional communities. The traditional spiritual beliefs of the chewa people of zambia. Pdf a critical analysis on african traditional religion and the trinity. African religion and its influence on christianity and. A theological reflection on mbitis conception of salvation in african christianity. Among the baganda and and africans, some priests and priestrasses lived a celibate life just like the roman catholic church and partly by. The research sought to answer the following questions.
Snelson 1974 argued that the education provided had stress on bible doctrines, agriculture, carpentry, black smithering and other skills that would help people raise their standards after which they would be drawn to the christian religion. Pdf to what extent do the resources of african traditional religion atr contribute towards. The effects of christianity on traditional african religions. African religion and its influence on christianity and islam traditional african religion has been the basis of spirituality for the people of africa. At the end of the research, i arrived at the following conclusions. It also shows that the worship of god in african traditional religion is through sacrifices, offerings, singing, dancing and prayers. For example, many religions are polytheistic, meaning that there are many gods. It is described as the product of thinking and experience of african forefathers and mothers of. The traditional african religions or traditional beliefs and practices of african people are a set of highly diverse beliefs that includes various ethnic religions. Compare christianity, islam and judaism religionfacts. That tension between christianity and the african traditional religions are more contentious in the urban areas. Christianity and the african traditional religions.
It is still in practice in tropical or sub saharan africa. Some years ago l attempted to compare african traditional religion, judaism, christianity and islam, and it can be a good food. Death as a point of dialogue between african religion and christianity john s. Christianity and african traditional religion rjgehman. The religious beliefs, practices and thehuman characteristics such as love, power, knowledge are transferred to anspeak. These figures represent people who primarily follow african traditional religion. While judaism isnt as large as christianity and islam, its impact on the world has still been as profound. There is an urgent need for dialogue between christianity and african indigenous religion air, because the present version of christianity and the increase in the membership of air is alarming. Points of contrast between african traditional religion. This paper examines the concept and philosophy of african traditional religion from the viewpoint of africans.
God, divinities and spirits in african traditional. This article is an attempt to compare and contrast traditional religion and christianity. The african traditional religion is an integral part of black africans everyday life. This paper focuses on the conicts between african traditional religion and christianity. Religion without belief and community in africa mdpi. Interface between igbo theology and christianity provides evidence of. When we speak of african traditional religion, we mean the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of the africans.
Generally, these traditions are oral rather than scriptural, include belief in an amount of higher and lower gods, sometimes including a supreme creator, belief in spirits, veneration of the dead, use of magic and traditional. Contrasts between african traditional religion and the. One important development has been the market or economic. In this lesson, we explore the multifaceted religious systems present in africa, from the indigenous religions, which still influence many on the continent, to islam and christianity, which many. The impact of african traditional religious beliefs and. Comparisons and contrasts between traditional religion and. Western culture now is regarded as frontline civilisation. Oral sources and the study of african traditional religion george i. Since christianity came in contact with the traditional religion, there has always. In fact, africa is a vast continent encompassing both geographic variation and tremendous cultural diversity. Its study has to go handin hand with the study of the people who practise the religion. The main characteristics of african traditional religion. The book contains an edited version of the papers presented at that international conference. Both of these religions are complex and vary from tribe to tribe in their set beliefs but its universal in its belief amongst people that there is one supreme god that is above and beyond all else.
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