Exploring the possibility for African traditional religion to be included in a reimagined scriptural reasoning model

Maniraj Sukdaven

doi:10.4102/hts.v74i3.5224

Abstract

In and among the many models developed for engaging in inter-religious dialogue was a model that became known as scriptural reasoning (SR). SR basically serves the purpose of being hospitable towards the Abrahamic religions. The current approach of SR, by virtue of its focus only on scripture as the basis of engagement, obviously excludes other faith traditions that possess no sacred scripture. One such religion is African traditional religion (ATR). As a result of this exclusion, this article intends to engage SR to consider reinterpreting imaginatively, or to use a synonym, to reconceptualise, its basis of only scripture as the primary source of engagement and as such to expand its basis to include religions with an oral-orientated tradition. This article explores such a possibility for the inclusion of ATR, as an oral tradition, to be considered as an equal partner in a reimagined SR or as a parallel model with similar guidelines and outcomes as found in SR.

Highlights

Hans Küng (1991), who is an advocate for inter-religious dialogue, firmly believes that there can be no peace without religions entering into dialogue with one another
In the discussion that ensues in this article, and because I am an African, I will focus on African traditional religion (ATR), which is an oral tradition, and why it should be considered for inclusion http://www.hts.org.za
I want to suggest that scriptural reasoning (SR) either expand its criteria for only scripture as its basis or develop a second, but parallel model, in which I want to suggest that SR be reimagined to include the oral tradition of ATR

Summary

Introduction

Hans Küng (1991), who is an advocate for inter-religious dialogue, firmly believes that there can be no peace without religions entering into dialogue with one another. In the discussion that ensues in this article, and because I am an African, I will focus on African traditional religion (ATR), which is an oral tradition, and why it should be considered for inclusion http://www.hts.org.za

Results

Conclusion