AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION IN PLURALISTIC AFRICA Book Report
An assignment submitted in Partial fulfillments for the requirements of the course AFTR 668: African Culture and Religion
Thoughts about Africa
Religion is as survival as language, and, in one form or another, is found in all human societies. Because of its universality, it is one of the examined social activities.
In the sociology of religion, the religious phenomenon is regarded as something close to a living organism. Religion is believed to be as old as humanity himself, and, for their adherents at least, the different faiths are called eternal institutions .Religion is alive when a person is born; it accompanies that
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Following from Taylor, a lot of studies worked on assumptions, after he had branded and formulated a class of African religious beliefs, beginning with animism and then progressive to ancestor worship, polytheism, and finally monotheism.
When the missionaries arrived, the move was already strong opposed to ATR. At home, in Europe, and North America, opinions were fixed, so that missionaries arrived in Africa with their minds set against a religion which was perceived as satanic and vain. ATR had no chance proving its legitimacy. When colonial governments were established in Africa, they worked with the understanding that ATR was non-religion
The nature of African Tradition
In chapter one Callahan described the ways enslaved African Americans first encountered the bible; he goes on to describe that these encounters with the Bible where facilitated by colonist, the African Americans couldn’t encounter it
Many of those who were ripped from their homelands, dreamt of returning home to their families. After emancipation, the young Africans regrouped and found their own settlement once their dreams of returning home could not become a reality. In “Africa Town” the Clotilda Africans made a living through agriculture and trade techniques that they brought from Africa. This clearly shows, that Africans held on to their traditions unfailingly. “Africa Town,” was founded upon indigenous African cultures and a form centralized state systems.
In History of Africa, Shillington focuses on many aspects of African culture and factors that made Africa to be the continent that it is today. Chapter 5 primarily focuses on the Northern region of Africa and how empires took over and spread their ideology technology, and culture all through out the region. Even today some remnants of the Roman and Greek empire live on to this day (Shillington, 69.) Despite many people getting the impression that Northern Africa is only influenced by Arabic and Islam, these empires and their conquests are best understood through topics like intricate trading routes, farming, and the spread of religion. Shillington provides an in depth analysis of how many of these conquests affected Northern Africa centuries ago and today.
In the 1880’s, Christianity have play an important role in African activities, most of the African people do not follow their ancestor custom. At this time people dressed like the European and the people also have access to modern
Yenesis Murillo 16 December 2015 Professor Cummings RS 100 The Hidden Religious Significance of American Baseball Abstract I have reviewed the hidden religious significance in American Baseball, how similar the two matters tie together is remarkable. There is not one aspect of baseball that does not tie together with religion from the first pitch being thrown to the hot dog eating fan in the stand; the similarities are undeniable. I. Introduction
Like most things that are society based, religion has evolved alongside our own culture. America is a melting pot of different ethnic backgrounds and cultures making it a perfect place for religion to adapt and flourish. For this analysis, I am drawing from “Civil Religion in America” by Robert N. Bellah (1967) on his ideas of American civil religion. In the text Bellah (1967) argues that civil religion is an important dimension that needs to be recognized in sociology. While Bellah focuses specifically on the United States of America, he still gives a valuable perspective on civil religion and how it plays a part in religion as a whole.
Some people would even go as far into believing that without the Christian religion then African Americans would still be enslaved and/or would still be living without equal rights, because Christianity not only gave African Americans hope but the empowerment to make change. However, people forget the vast history of countries, empires, and even people who fought against oppression, slavery, and tyranny without the Christian religion but with the knowing of right
So Europe invaded Africa, took possession of Africa, and divided Africa into colonies of Europe. The period of invasion, lasting some twenty years, was more or less completed by 1900. There followed a longer period, between sixty and ninety years, of direct European rule, called colonial rule. This was a time of profound upheaval for all of Africa’s peoples. It brought irreversible changes” (4).
“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life” (Buddha). Throughout different time periods religion has impacted the society in which people live. Religion has and continues to dictate the rules citizens have to follow in all areas, especially social, educational, and political. Religion influences morals, values, and people’s identities. Many people turn to religion for not just spiritual answers, but for guidance and help in everyday life.
Have you ever read a novel about African cultures and traditions from African point of view? The novel Things Fall Apart, a tragedy by Chinua Achebe, centers on one tragic hero in Igbo village of Umuofia in Nigeria and the effects of European arrival on his life and Igbo clan. Throughout the novel, Achebe introduces Igbo customs to the reader by creating several occurrences and how they react on them to claim that the Igbo is civilized before the Europeans arrive. The significant difference between Igbo and Western cultures is the way wisdom is passed on: Igbo oral traditions transmit values and knowledge orally by allegorical tales, while Western literary traditions educate people through generations by written texts, just like the novel itself.
Religion–it is something that has been in existence since the beginning of time. It brings meaning to life and death. It creates a sense of belonging in the world. On the other hand, religion, or lack thereof, has also been, in many instances, the cause of oppression, warfare, and even terrorism. Sometimes religion is used to the advantage of one’s self.
Week Outline Preliminary Thesis Statement: Religion is an essential constituent of any civilization with a unique spiritual pathway. Main Point: Religious spirituality establishes the framework for human social and cultural development. 1. Topic Sentence:
Jurak Una PS190 Argumentative analysis essay In the past few years, there has been much discussion on whether religious teaching should be part of the public school curriculum. Religion is a constant element shaping our political, economic and social lives. It pinpoints the set of beliefs, dogmas and practices defining the relation between human beings and the so called “divinity”. The notion of religion has always been a very important element of the world’s history.
As noted by Parvati Raghuram "For many, religion relates primarily to belief systems with a commitment to some normative values and some social order" (Skeleton & Allen, 1999) . Religion offers a structure that facilitates honourable thinking and encourages individuals to act sincerely in a formidable
Different parts of our culture today have roots in history. The production culture, how a product gets from creation to us, is based off of the historical “outwork” process. Today, different jobs have unions that protect the workers. This working culture has evolved from the working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. In 1884 Europeans met to decide the future of Africa.