A Major Issue Surrounding Religion In Africa Research Paper

A Major Issue Surrounding Religion In Africa - Research Paper Example The challenges that this continent is facing is presumed to not only haunt them in the next decade but they will be of concern to the wider international community as well. This paper aims at providing an analysis of the contemporary issues that confront the continent especially related to religion. I will try to cover different religions that exist in this continent. What are the major issues related to it? I will try to analyze them in the light of past and present so that a theme could be developed that connects the historical and contemporary world. In order to do so we have to peep into the traditional religions of Africa as well as into Islam, this is predominantly the current religion of Africa. I will also try to analyze how religion affects the continent today and what are the defining factors. An analysis of the issues surrounding religion is not possible in isolation. A number of other factors have their own strong impact ( (Deagan) on it such as development, culture, demo cratic environment, health and security, conflicts, arms and reconstruction. Any study done without taking into consideration all these facts will not be based on reality. In short we can say it will be inconclusive. So I will do a detailed analysis and will draw conclusion based on all these factors. We cannot deny the social importance of religion. Religion is an important strand of society. It provides a value system that underpins the foundation of society. Without a common value system of which religion is an important thread, the concept of society is not possible. Religious Plurality in Africa African history is very vast and old. Africa has religious plurality. Religious plurality means sharing of different religious traditions by the same family, immediate or extended, similar ethnic groups and nations. Many religions exist side by side. Members of the same family may follow different religions. If we take a closer look we can categorize the religions in Africa into three t iers, Traditional religions, Christianity and Islam. After Second World War self concept of Africans has changed due to political, intellectual changes around them. History of Religion in Africa The recorded history of Africa dates back to 3000 BC in Egypt. People worshipped gods like Isis, Horus, Osiris, Ra, and Hapi. This was the case within Egypt. In West Africa the trend was to worship single god like sky god. Monotheism that is belief in single god also originated in Egypt in 1300 B.C. that led to worshipping of Akenanten. Religious history is deeply influenced by political history. (History of Religions in Africa) Conquerors of Africa always influenced the religion of the region. Africa was conquered by Greeks, Romans and Phoenicians after the death of Akenanten and each of them influenced the concept of god. The great change in the religious beliefs of the Africans came in 300 AD. Roman emperors believed in Christianity and that is how Christianity entered this region. Even a t that time Christianity was not the only religion. The Bantu faith, who believed in Polytheism, was also expanding in Southern Africa at that time. They believed in the powers of ghosts and evil powers, which supposedly had great influence on their lives. They worshipped ghosts of dead kings and heroes. Islam entered into this region in 600 AD. This shift