From religious discrimination to religious tolerance: an analysis of illness and healing in African religion and Christianity

Kgari, Maserole Christina

From religious discrimination to religious tolerance: an analysis of illness and healing in African religion and Christianity

Thesis / Dissertation

1997

Abstract

In southern Africa, comparative religion was conducted on frontier battlefields. Comparisons were not merely intellectual exercises. They were entangled in the European conquest and subjugation of Africans. Initially, Europeans observers denied the existence of any indigenous African religion. The enemy had no religion. Under colonial control, however, Africans were recognised as having a religion that could be inventorised and analysed. (Chidester, 1996:219) This enigmatic quotation gives an explicit background to the problems that this thesis tries to tackle. In South Africa the field of religion has been contested for a long time. There have been imbalances in the way religions have been treated. To be precise, Christianity has been treated with respect while African religion together with other religions has been looked down upon. With this note this thesis is an endeavour towards developing religious tolerance in South Africa. It contributes to the wider discussion on religious discrimination and religious tolerance. The title ofthis thesis, "From Religious Discrimination to Religious Tolerance: An analysis of illness and healing in African religion and Christianity" explains itself. Since this thesis focuses on South Africa, the title suggests that there is religious discrimination in South Africa and that there should be transformation towards religious tolerance. It also highlights the significance of respect for all religions and their belief systems. To illustrate the existence of discrimination and the need for tolerance the thesis uses the example of Christianity and African religion. Discriminatory and derogatory terms that have been used to refer to African religion, such as, superstition, culture, tradition, traditional, and African religions, are exposed.

Keywords

Religious Studies

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