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ANIMISM AND MODERN AFRICAN CHRISTIANITY

Animism is a type of polytheism (like santeria and greco-roman folklore). Animists believe there is a BIG God but unapproachable, so we must go to Him through intermediary gods, so it is not unusual to have numerous gods (consisting of human beings) as intermediaries. Animism likewise need animal (that includes human) sacrifices. Animism has six views which differentiates it from other polytheistic worldview: One God-- many spirits Separates Immediate/Ultimate problems (God supervises of supreme concerns). Spirit World-- personal/impersonal being. Idea of Sin-- not too concerned about the Supreme being. Associates Incidents to souls. Believes in Re-incarnation. Before Christianity pertained to Africa, a number of the African kingdoms (Benin, Yoruba, Oyo, etc) had animism in africa as religion and worldview. We have numerous gods (gods of iron, thunder, wood, water, fertility, and so on) and we saw life strictly from a spiritual angle, no space for individual "complimentary" will - occurrences of life are discussed strictly from one angle. Animism likewise believe that humans (who are powerful) might become a god (or angel) and after that join the spirit world to be worshipped, re-incarnation is a core doctrine, recommending that somebody who is dead comes back through a kid. When or as we become Christians, a great deal of "animistic" worldview was brought into "christianity", unfortunately some of such hybrid believes and teaching permeate what we call "Christianity" today and many are accepted as norm. For example, our leaders (Bishops, GOs, Pastors, Prophets, and so on) changed the intermediary gods, that is worshipped. Anointing has replaced "voodoo power", and we praise these men and women, instead of honor them. A few of them require it, some simply allow it. In another instance, the African idea of "Christianity" is NOT of Worshipping God, rather to get or have the power to fight the Devil, due to the fact that focus is strictly on evil, not exactly what God can do (we state the ideal things however our action state different) or has actually done. Great deals of focus on OT ritualistic laws (that Christ satisfied, than Ethical laws that goes beyond both covenant. African Christians like in the days of animism, have NO problem offending God or breaking His rules (bribery, stealing, infidelity, unlawful immigration or prohibited anything, etc.) however we are so scared of our GOs or Bishops that we shake in their existence. Yet we breach the existence of God with our crap. The emphasis on male (viewed as intermediary), has actually made the "success gospel" from America, very rewarding (without check) in Africa. The solution to the above is basic, "... and you shall understand the Fact, and the truth (you know) will set your Free". Ask yourselves, the following sincere questions? Having matured in Faith in Africa, how has "Animism" impacted my thinks? Do I honor my faith leaders or do I Worship them? Do I blame the devil for everything in my life, or do I recognize that, with my free choice, i've erred in some cases and I take duty and repent? Do I frequently skip on preparing for the future - because only God understand the future, or do seek to have the mind of Christ, and strategy with the Holy Spirit? Please note that many culture likewise brought what they had into their Christianity. This is simply the author's view on how Animism has affected Christianity in Africa, after hundreds of years of conversion. The author believe that our lack of depth or discipleship in today's "christianity" is a function of animism residue.

ANIMISM AND MODERN AFRICAN CHRISTIANITY

Animism is a form of polytheism (like santeria and greco-roman mythology). Animists think there is a BIG God however unapproachable, so we should go to Him through intermediary gods, so it is not unusual to have numerous gods (including humans) as intermediaries. Animism also require animal (which includes human) sacrifices. Animism has 6 views which identifies it from other polytheistic worldview: One God-- numerous spirits Separates Immediate/Ultimate concerns (God supervises of supreme issues). Spirit World-- personal/impersonal being. Idea of Sin-- not too worried about the Supreme being. Attributes Occurrences to souls. Believes in Re-incarnation. Prior to Christianity came to Africa, much of the African kingdoms (Benin, Yoruba, Oyo, etc) had animism in africa as religious beliefs and worldview. We have a lot of gods (gods of iron, thunder, wood, water, fertility, and so on) and we saw life strictly from a spiritual angle, no space for individual "complimentary" will - incidences of life are explained strictly from one angle. Animism likewise think that humans (who are effective) might end up being a god (or angel) and then sign up with the spirit world to be worshipped, re-incarnation is a core teaching, suggesting that someone who is dead returns through a kid. When or as we become Christians, a lot of "animistic" worldview was brought into "christianity", unfortunately some of such hybrid believes and teaching permeate what we call "Christianity" today and lots of are accepted as standard. For example, our leaders (Bishops, GOs, Pastors, Prophets, and so on) replaced the intermediary gods, that is worshipped. Anointing has actually replaced "voodoo power", and we worship these males and females, rather than honor them. Some of them demand it, some just permit it. In another instance, the African idea of "Christianity" is NOT of Worshipping God, rather to get or have the power to fight the Devil, because focus is strictly on evil, not what God can do (we say the best things however our action say different) or has actually done. Great deals of emphasis on OT ceremonial laws (that Christ fulfilled, than Moral laws that goes beyond both covenant. African Christians like in the days of animism, have NO problem upseting God or breaking His guidelines (bribery, stealing, infidelity, illegal immigration or prohibited anything, etc.) but we are so afraid of our GOs or Bishops that we shake in their presence. We break the presence of God with our crap. The emphasis on male (viewed as intermediary), has made the "prosperity gospel" from America, extremely rewarding (without check) in Africa. The option to the above is simple, "... and you shall know the Reality, and the truth (you know) will set your Free". Ask yourselves, the following sincere concerns? Having matured in Faith in Africa, how has "Animism" impacted my thinks? Do I honor my faith leaders or do I Worship them? Do I blame the devil for everything in my life, or do I recognize that, with my free will, i've erred in some cases and I take duty and repent? Do I frequently avoid on preparing for the future - since only God understand the future, or do seek to have the mind of Christ, and plan with the Holy Spirit? Please note that a lot of culture also brought exactly what they had into their Christianity. This is simply the author's view on how Animism has affected Christianity in Africa, after centuries of conversion. The author think that our absence of depth or discipleship in today's "christianity" is a function of animism residue.