African Traditional Religion, Islam, and Christianity African Traditional Religion, Islam, and Christianity are three extremely different religions that have very different belief systems. African Islam 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. And in the 2nd century, a new religion became popular in Egypt, as well as in Ethiopia and Eritrea. These statements await further exploration by African theologians. Native African historians and scholars, from mid-20th c. African Traditional Religions are specific to each ethnic group on the continent. These spirit do not carry the desires of humans to the Creator God. When we speak of African Traditional Religion, we mean the indigenous religious beliefs Chat with us via WhatsApp on +233 55 2699 625. Every folk in Africa has its own particular religion and religious system guiding their life and their human activities in the world from day to day. African Traditional Religions are the religious systems that developed among the people of Africa in the course of the thousands of years that had rolled through the ages of history. African Traditional Religion has grown out of the African soil. 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. The beliefs and practices of the traditional religions in Africa can enrich Christian theology and spirituality." Rev. document.write(user + '@' + site + ''); We need to be clear that while Christianity did not originate in Africa (the same way it did not originate in Europe), Christianity is part of African heritage going back eighteen centuries before the colonial days and when we talk about African traditional religions, we should not make it seem like Christianity did not exist in Africa before the European colonialists arrived on our shores. African Studies web resources African Faith: Mile Wide and Half Inch Deep? user = "features"; He contends in his book How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind that the influence of African teachers on early Christianity has yet to be satisfactorily studied not only in the west but even in Africa itself. The African Traditional Religion of one ethnic group does not motivate its believers to teach and convert people from another ethnic group. In the Christian sin is against and in rebellion to God. The Christian message calls people out of earthly kingdoms into the Kingdom of God. Since Christianity came in contact with the traditional religion, there has always been a sharp conflict between traditionalists and Christians. In a later post I will discuss some of the differences or contrast between African Traditional Religion and Christianity. Man quickly broke the covenants and that is what has caused a separation Creator God and humans. Christian worship is done in churches while African traditional religion, worship is done in sacred places for example shrines and caves, under trees, grave yards. Brief Account of ATR and Christianity: African Traditional Religion (ATR) Man’s search for God has led to many pathways. History of African traditional religion. jihad West African contains the largest populations that are still following African Traditional Religion. Its study has to go hand-in-hand with the study of the people who practise the religion. At times rulers have been described as gods or as endowed with God's divinity. The Biblical teaching is that human have one life on earth, a single judgment, and then everlasting rest or punishment of the soul. When we speak of African Traditional Religion, we mean the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of the Africans. Africa is home to nearly 600 million people. between Christianity and African Traditional Religion. Christianity came to Africa from the outside, it happened, as the legend says, in 42, then the Orthodox Coptic Church was formed by the Apostle Mark. It … In Africa the traditional religions are a major source for the study of the African experience of God. African Traditional Religion and Christianity agree that God has made covenants with humans. site = "ghanaweb.com"; But before those two religions arrived, there were several traditional religions practiced. African Traditional Religion In christianity, they believe that God is the alpha and omega, and in traditional African religion, they also believe the same. The traditional African understanding and the interpretation of Christianity have deep roots in these fundamental beliefs of the African traditional religions. This statement is relevant to the way the Church should deal with traditional African beliefs. 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. It has become customary in modern times to discuss the history of African Christianity focusing only on the period dating back to the colonial days. // End --> 11, issue 32 (Summer 2012) 25 Kiernan, J. But before those two religions arrived, there were several traditional religions practiced. Nigeria African Traditional Religion has grown out of the African soil. user = "newswires"; African traditional religion was in line with the taboos while in Christianity worship is in line with the ten commandments. and features to In African Traditional Religion one can be possessed in order to gain some privileged knowledge. African News For centuries, African Traditional Religion in its myriad of forms was practiced by the majority of Africans, but in the last fifty years Christianity and Islam have become more prominent. However this has a lot of problems. Although animism still is in fact present in Africa like fetishism or juju, it is simply inadequate as an all-encompassing expression that is descriptive properly of African Traditional Religion. witchcraft Next » Comments (0) Listen to Article. take more objective view, seeing some value in social functions of African religions • 3. Kenya Christ Jesus, God’s own son, takes the “groaning” of humans to God. In African Traditional Religion, man has often made covenants with God. But this post-colonial habit of limiting discussions of the history of African Christianity to the period beginning from the colonial days needs to be corrected since it has made it difficult for many to view Christianity apart from colonialism. There are common beliefs in Africa although the continent is a large with many different cultures and Popularity: 12% [? Adherents of traditional religions in Sub-Saharan Africa are distributed among 43 countries and are estimated to number over 100 million.. Christianity: An African traditional religion « Prev . [CDATA[
Most practitioners of African Traditional Religion have an understanding of a creator God, but this normally refined and broaden when one becomes a Christian. CHRISTIANITY AND TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS IN AFRICA. What is my basis for saying this? African traditional religions have been washed away, and especially with Christianity, they are viewed as pagan and heathen in nature. The issue of the relationship between the Christian faith and traditional beliefs and practices has been an important consideration since the very early days of the Church. Besides, a case can even be made that there was an African influence on Martin Luther’s inspiration to work towards the protestant reformation that hit Europe in the sixteenth century. Coptic Church It is not brought from outside. It is noteworthy that when the Europeans came with Christianity they were not bringing something wholly foreign to African soil. Abrahamic religions are widespread throughout Africa. religious violence Foreign anthropologists from late 19thc. // // ]]> African people often combine the practice of their traditional belief with the practice of Abrahamic religions. 4. Very few African Christian theologians have found a way of being part of what I would like to name "the making of an African Christianity." Kingship is integral to African belief systems for at least two reasons. 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 … Egypt Ghana Karl Grebe, Wilfred Fon. Native African historians and scholars, from mid-20th c. Sin in African Traditional Religion is mostly concerned with transgression of morals or community norms. sports Side by side with their high levels of commitment to Christianity and Islam, many people in the countries surveyed retain beliefs and rituals that are characteristic of traditional African religions. terrorism 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 … ATR (African Traditional Religion) Introduction Three religions dominates African continent: ATR, Islam and Christianity. site = "ghanaweb.com"; Is it un-African to search for truth in religion? Egypt's Muslim Leaders Call for Peace With Christians. African Traditional Religion and Christian Counseling. In a later post I will discuss some of the differences or contrast between African Traditional Religion and Christianity. 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