Interfaith Dialogue in an African Context

Falres Ilomo

doi:10.7176/jpcr/52-03

Abstract

This paper is going to discuss about the process of interfaith dialogue in an African perspective. The type of interfaith dialogue shall be different from the traditional Western perspective. In a traditional form, normally dialogue involves the so called world major religions namely, Christianity and Islam only. Both of these two religions are foreign religions originated from the Middle East. In African perspective the two religions are foreign, therefore, according to science of religions, they are known as secondary religious experience. However, the African religion to Africans is primary religious experience at the same time this religion is the host to the two religions (Islam and Christianity).This study shall propose the dialogue to be carried out in a modern way, unlike the traditional one. In this new type of dialogue, African religion shall be treated equally with other foreign religions. The objective of this dialogue is to learn to tolerate as well as enriching from each other. The study shows that from the end of the 19th and beginning of 20th century, the Roman Catholic Church did not recognize whether Africans had a religion at all. However, from 1969 up to 1993, the Roman Catholic Church started to recognize the African religion. A contribution to interfaith dialogue by Western, Asian and African scholars in Religions shall give a great contribution to the study of interfaith dialogue in a new perspective. Keywords: dialogue of living together, convivenz, second Vatican Council, primary and secondary religious experiences DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/52-03 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Highlights

After looking into the general information about dialogue, the study will be focused on the dialogue in the African context
The study will deal with the attitude of the church towards African religion; various models of interreligious dialogue; what can the church experience from African religion and what can African religion adherents experience from Christianity respectfully
Inter-Religious Dialogue with African Religion For the whole time since Christianity was introduced in Africa, there has been no dialogue with African religion; instead mission was done in a form of proselytization whereby, Christianity has been so violent to African religion and culture

Summary

Introduction

In some places there are African religion followers only, or African followers living together with Christians. To our surprise the church in Africa is conducting dialogue with Islam only as if in all communities there are only Muslims living with Christians.

Results

Conclusion