Apr 18, 2008 -- 12:33PM, Truth27 wrote:

Hi, Are small scale, communal religions such as those found in traditional Africa out of date? In other words, are they too incompatible with modern living to be useful. Part of me suspects that this is the case. Another part hopes that it is not. Its not clear why exactly most of Africa is converting to the mega World religions like Islam and Christianity. Is it due to a tradition of coersion? Or do they honestly believe that a more global form of spirituality is necessary to cope with daily life in this shrinking world? To be fair, I can't judge Africans for their decisions. However, it's always unfortunate to see a culture die out only to be replaced with that of a historically conquering group (ie Muslims or Europeans). It's like the Africans are admitting defeat somehow. As I said on another board, part of me wishes that they would simply update their own beliefs. Adapting them to the more global wholistic thrust of the modern world (so that they aren't so tribal/are more universal). But maybe that's just not possible..... Peace.

Africa was converted to Christianity and Islam hundreds of years ago, through coersion.  Some of the more internationally integrated countries of Africa; Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, etc. have large and sometimes even majorities of Traditional Religious practitioners. 

As for upgrading into more universalist worldview...  A lot of the international issues that we  have today come from the universalist perspectives that were imposed by Christianity and its conquest of the world.  Many cultures, even European ones, are searching out their pre-Christian roots and looking for a deeper spiritual connection to the world through ancient ideas.  Even Atheism is at base an animistic perspective that all life comes from the same source and is essentially one thing, and tries to link all things through science. 

I think looking toward the ancients and their worldview will unlock our understanding of the world around us, and provide an alternate path to conquest.