Abstract
This article concerned itself with the modern encounter between Christianity and African Indigenous Religion (AIR) in Africa. It is essentially a postcolonial approach to what AIR and its essential characteristics is: God and humanity, sacrifices, afterlife and ancestors. The rapid growth of many religions in Africa and the revival of AIR in postcolonial Africa have made inter-religious dialogue an urgent necessity. Unlike the colonial encounter with AIR, which was characterised by hostility and the condemnation of AIR, the postcolonial encounter should be characterised by mutual respect, understanding, tolerance, and some level of freedom, liberation and genuineness. In this way, suspicion will be reduced, because despite the adherents� confession of Christianity, AIR is not about to be extinct.
Highlights
The theme of Christianity and its relation with other religions is a delicate issue and must be handled with care
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
During the early days of missionaries, travellers, anthropologists and historians, there was no acceptance of any existence of anything called African history (Fage 1970:1) and African Traditional Religion(s) (ATR)(s), despite the fact that they struggled with the adherents of this religion and tried to condemn what doi:10.4102/ve.v32i1.285
Summary
Christianity and the African traditional religion(s): The postcolonial round of engagement. How to cite this article: Adamo, D.T., 2011, ‘Christianity and the African traditional religion(s): The postcolonial round of engagement’, Verbum et Ecclesia 32(1), Art. This article concerned itself with the modern encounter between Christianity and African Indigenous Religion (AIR) in Africa. Unlike the colonial encounter with AIR, which was characterised by hostility and the condemnation of AIR, the postcolonial encounter should be characterised by mutual respect, understanding, tolerance, and some level of freedom, liberation and genuineness. In this way, suspicion will be reduced, because despite the adherents’ confession of Christianity, AIR is not about to be extinct
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have