African Contribution To Monotheism

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In our western world, there are no parallels, with regards to religion for Monotheism. In all its forms, especially the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, this branch of faith dominates above all. A typical follower of these religions may assume that the belief of monotheism, or worshipping a single God, is traced to their religion of practice. While going through the assigned readings, one can realize how monotheism is actually influenced by many African religions as well. This is contrast to the Western belief that Africa is a violent, intolerant place abundant in polytheism and witchcraft. Most give credit to the Middle East as having been a major contributing factor if not the birthplace of Monotheism, but many would be surprised to find that not the Middle Eastbut Africa as having strong influences on this belief form. With Africa considered to be the birthplace of civilization, it should come to no surprise that it may also be the origins of the most practiced form of religions. Examples of this can be seen throughout Africa, from the biblical stories of ancient Egypt, to the monotheistic beliefs found in African religions in Congo, Zimbabwe, South Africa and others. Throughout civilizations around the world, faith and society go hand in hand. With Africa being the birthplace of civilization, it should come as no surprise that it would be the birthplace of the most practiced form of religion on the planet, since faith and society go hand in hand. A major aspect of Monotheistic Faiths is the central deity being given the abilities of omnipresence (everywhere at once), omnipotence (all powerful), and omniscience (all knowing); three qualities which would be lacking in a primitive god, such as an African god. It was believed that an African god was “lazy” and, following creation, played a very limited role in the lives of the

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