An overview of the issues geoff handley, kate higgins and bhavna sharma with kate bird and diana cammack working paper 299 results of odi research presented in preliminary form for discussion and critical comment overseas development. The analysis suggests that african policymakers need to pay attention to the changing religious dynamics and increasing religious polarization of african societies. Nongovernmental organizations ngos are highprofile actors in the field of international development, both as providers of services to vulnerable individuals. The avenues by which religion influences development activities in different. Religion and development berkley center for religion.
Today, the continents various populations and individuals are mostly adherents of christianity, islam, and to a lesser extent several traditional african religions. A critical and appreciative perspective 3 these questions, we will first seek to develop a better grasp of religion as a major constituent of the worldview of african people. A critical and appreciative perspective 9 destruction of resources kalu 2010e. Religion plays a vital role in shaping cultural, social, economic, and political norms in many parts of the world. In the world context, colonialism had very heterogeneous effects, operating through many. Antonio course description this course is an introduction to and an exploration of the relationship between religion and economic development. It then proceeds to look at east africa, where the three religious families of traditional religion, islam and christianity. Africa s development in the first half of this decade has been dominated by multiple transitions which, in some countries, often have run concurrently.
Under the apartheid regime, with its commitment to christian national education. Some religions do not allow women to occupy decisionmaking positions, with the result that. Religion is a controversial issue in world affairs. International journal of academic research in progressive education and development april 2012, vol. Th e report provides a brief overview of the religious landscape of africa with a special focus on the role of religion in the continents several con. Different fathers played a role in the development of this religion.
Sex refers to a persons biological characteristics. The development community practitioners and academics has only quite recently begun to problematise the role of religion beyond simple matrices of religion as inhibitor to development or religion as a source of development. Religion and economic development hoover institution. Religious diversity and economic development in sub. Published by european centre for research training and development uk. As well as considering the challenges and problems religion poses for development the. The avenues by which religion influences development activities in different faiths and regions are haunting in their complexity. Poverty and poverty reduction in subsaharan africa.
Yet it is now apparent that religion is a growing force in public life in africa, as in. Religion and development in africa the immanent frame. Religion has an extremely powerful influence over peoples lives. Especially in africa, religion has been at the heart of much of the contemporary conflicts. Chapter 5 how do religious beliefs affect politics.
African traditional religion s perspective article pdf available in religious studies and theology 311. Professor jeremy magruder april 29, 2011 i would like to thank professor jeremy magruder for his valuable advice and guidance throughout the paper. Religion and development religious communities and faithinspired organizations around the globe play an important role in the worlds most pressing development issues. It is the religion which resulted from the sustaining faith held by the forebears of the present africans, and which is being practised today in various forms and. Economic development causes religion to play a lesser role in the political process and in policymaking, in the legal process, as well as in social arrangements marriages, friendships, colleagues. The case of nigeria joseph ogbonnaya marquette university, milwaukee, wisconsin introduction in contemporary discussions of ways to attain sustainable and authentic human development, there is a reluctance to consider the influence of religion. Religious education in south africa during the 1990s represents a dramatic departure from the religious education, instruction, or introduction of the past. In africa, religion shows no sign of disappearing or diminishing in public importance, as development theorists have generally supposed. School education in relation with freedom of religion and belief, tolerance, and nondiscrimination, international association for religious freedom iarf, 2002. However, the involvement of religions of the indigenous peoples is not given the desired attention. There are four primary indicators of the influence of economic development on religion. A joint statement from five research programmes on behalf of africa power and politics programme developmental leadership programme elites, production and poverty. N37,n47,o55 abstract in this paper we evaluate the impact of colonialism on development in subsaharan africa. It explored the african traditional religion and the traditional moral values in the context of sustainable national development.
Religion in africa is multifaceted and has been a major influence on art, culture and philosophy. Religion is no panacea, but aspects of it can complement as well as motivate development. Felicitas becker, ghent university, and joel cabrita, stanford university call for papers. The strength of the christian evangelical movement in the. It is unsurprising, therefore, that the aid system has sought to keep a safe separation between religion and development. The resilience of religion in developing countries is now plain to see. Religion and development post 2015 v summary the consultation titled religion and development post2015. These resources examine how these actors and groups offer aid on the front lines of crises and shape and influence their societies in fundamental ways that must be understood to. Christianity, development and modernity in africa hurst. The european union has normally excluded consideration of the religious dimension in formulating development policies towards africa. Overview of africa s development in the first half of the 1990s. Religion and economic development course syllabus draft edward p. In particular, it impacts on gender relations and consequently on how women are treated in society and the home. However, our findings do suggest that religion has important effects on the development process through its effects on investment.
Particularly in subsaharan africa, where other more recognised religious beliefs are all imports, traditional beliefs remain very strong, forming a core around which other religious beliefs. A comparative analysis political economy of agricultural policy in africa tracking development april 2012. Some african religions adopted different views through the influence of islam or even hinduism. Overview of economic and social development in africa. It then proceeds to look at east africa, where the three religious families of traditional religion, islam and christianity are all present in large numbers.
In five of these countriesbenin, mozambique, guineabissau, liberia, and the ivory coast african religion is the majority religion. Religion and development in africa stanford university center for african studies march 67, 2020 conveners. Religion and development in africa stanford university. Missiologists have worked more broadly on a correlation of christianity with african culture as a whole, speaking in terms of an ethnotheology. African governments should harness intra african migrations unparalleled growth in order to maximize its benefits for economic growth and structural transformation. A case study of nkusukumekumfienyan area of the central region. Development exponents and agencies time and again refer to wars of religions and their attendant consequences as reasons for a total neglect of religion as partners in development. In some instances religions promote discrimination against women, children and other marginalised groups. From the start, ideas about development generally overlooked the role of religion, or assumed that religion would be relegated to a matter of private belief in africa as secular states. Submitted by francis acquah to the university of exeter as a thesis for the degree of doctor of philosophy in theology in december 2011.
Christianity, development and modernity in africa paul gifford contemporary african christianity encompasses at least two profoundly different conceptions of religion, with important implications for development and modernity on the continent. Gender refers to the different roles that are assigned to males and females. From marginalization to gender inequality fredoline o. Atr african traditional religion introduction three religions dominates african continent. In this paper, we try to show the relevance of african culture and values to the contemporary society but maintain that these values be critically assessed, and those found to be inimical to the wellbeing and holistic development of the society, be discarded. A reflection on the african traditional values of marriage. Nel morality and religion in african thought 36 pagan gods were ridiculed. Page 6 of 62 teachers are expected to be believers in the religion themselves and the object of the. The impact of african traditional religious beliefs and cultural values on christian muslim relations in ghana from 1920 through the present. Faith groups traditionally confine their ministrations to social interventions, but there is potential for religion and faith communities to play a deeper transformative role in upgrading or changing ineffective socialvalue systems. Examples of these leaders in african theology and spirituality would be archbishop desmond tutu, charles nyamiti, kenneth kaunda, manas buthelezi, julius nyerere and many others. In sierra leone, botswana, and burkina faso more than 33 percent follow african religion, although it is not the religion of the majority. Religion and economic development a study on religious variables influencing gdp growth over countries wonsub eum university of california, berkeley thesis advisor. Importance of religion in the world, from gallup poll 20062008 figure 2.
Religion is often depicted as a trigger factor in many conflicts. Many religious communities have an evangelising agenda. Religion is often used to deny women their fundamental human rights. Colonialism and economic development in africa leander heldring and james a. The impact of african traditional religious beliefs and. Nations international conference on population and development in 1994, the vatican the authority of the catholic pope sought to make common cause with. The economic development in africa report 2018 underscores the integral role that wellmanaged migration can play in addressing africa s development challenges. Religion and gender equality the state of play the relationship between religion and gender equality is a complex one. Religion enters into every aspect of the life of the africans and it cannot be studied in isolation. Unlike several decades after the world war ii, there is now a growing recognition of the importance of religion for designing development programmes and projects. Challenges, opportunities and policy guidance was hosted by unfpa in its capacity as convenor of the uniatffbo and cosponsored by george mason university, city university london and digni, a religious umbrella organization from norway. Religion is a potent force in africa and across the globe. A reflection on the african traditional values of marriage and sexuality dr.
Africa s influential university departments of religion have usually approached the theme in terms of establishing correlations between christianity and africa s traditional religions. Similarly, gender roles and the status of women and men in society are deeply tied to the manner in which. When we speak of african traditional religion, we mean the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of the africans. Traditional african religions generally believe in an afterlife, one or more spirit worlds, and ancestor worship is an important basic concept in mostly all african religions. Its study has to go handin hand with the study of the people who practise the religion. Christian and muslim institutions, as well as those associated with traditional religions.
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