Christianity played a key role in shaping the type of people the Robin Johns came to be. Before the Robin Johns were kidnapped they would have followed the traditional religious principles, which the Efik people followed. They also participated in a secret society reffered to as Ekpe, meaning leppoard to the Efik people and Egbo to the Europeans. The Efiks religious outline was, somewhat similar to that of Christianity. Sparks says “The Efik worshiped one god, Abasi the creator of all things, often referred to as Etenyin Abasi, our father who lived in the sky(pg.62)”.
African Perspectives on Colonialism Book Report Boahen’s piece on African Perspectives on Colonialism is a strong reflection of society’s current views and behaviors towards Africa and its history. Boahen emphasizes the impact of colonialism that has led to the “generation of a deep feeling of inferiority as well as the loss of human dignity among Africans.” He also stresses that the legacy of our colonial past has encouraged racial discrimination and constant humiliation and oppression of Africans. He examines the influence of the slave trade, the negative view of native religions in the cultural worldview of Christian missionaries, the economic value of colonial dominion of Africa for Europe, as well as details of the devastating impact of colonization on Africa. All of these topics are vital to the understanding of modern Africa; knowledge of how the continent became what it is today, through this information from the past. But what can we, as American citizens, take from what this collective information in this story is telling us?
Conversions to faiths like the Shakers peaked during the Second Great Awakening. Over one hundred utopian communities were founded during this time. While some were secular, they were all influenced by the Awakening. The Awakening promoted the spread of religion and perfecting society. The common goal among the utopian societies was to “spread righteousness upon the earth” and to perfect any perceived flaws in society.
I believe these two viewpoints in this chapter are equally convincing and valid, they demonstrate how puritan’s attitude toward the Indians changed over time. From John Eliot’s account of his interaction with the Native American tribes, we can tell that he viewed the Indians as subjects for conversion to Christianity and treated them fairly. “It may be they are better soil for the gospel than we can think”, said John. It’s necessary to take into account the motivation of puritan colonists here. They believed that they are “God’s chosen people”, called by God to build a “city on the hill” in the newfound land.
Wright attempts to tie the old Christian churches role in with OT account of the coming of the Messiah. There again, we see evidence of purpose of Jesus and his ultimate role to restore Israel to prominence and return them to the land that God had promised them. Zechariah 9:9 is evidence that there will be one that will arise and show favour to Israel We that Wright points out how Israel will be used by God will enact is salvation and judgment. The NT, as well John the Baptist is used to set the stage for Jesus by preaching about the one that is greater than him. He preached repentance to the nations to prepare for the coming.
The Model of Christian Charity’s tone is more comforting and with great reason, Winthrop was trying to establish a loving comradely between the colonist. This is evident when he says that “all true Christians are of one body in Christ.” Then he compares each person to a body part and according to the sermon “The ligaments of this body are knit together by love. (Lauter 336) ” Winthrop realized that in order for the colony to succeed he had to have the colonist working as one unit especially considering the imminent dangers they were facing in the New World. He also tries to satisfy the individual by addressing the colonist concerns with wealth and social status. Winthrop assures his colonist that being rich, or poor is all part of God’s plan and everyone has a purpose in that plan.
During 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E., the preponderance of people in Africa, East Asia, and Andean lands bowed their heads before their ancestors and sought divine intervention. These societies maintained a clearly defined hierarchy of power; adherence to these rigid familiar ties and clan traditions increased their odds of survival in a severe and uncertain world. These forbearers held the key to great wisdom and power and to implore their blessings was essential to the prosperity of the clan. Residing in Africa, before the belief of Islam was revealed to exempt individuals from taxes, were the believers in ancestral veneration.
Their missionary work included providing for the poor and tending to their needs and spreading the word of the church. Effects of the church: Positive: The church provided laws that led people to do the right thing, and their laws made sure that rulers had consequences to their actions too. It was just the poor getting the punishment. The church provided the knowledge of religion and they had people spread it around the world so that people could be exposed to religion and what it has to offer. It was spread though missionary work.
Traditional Native American ceremonial ways can vary widely, and are based on the differing histories and beliefs of individual tribes, clans and bands. Early European explorers describe individual Native American tribes and even small bands as each having their own religious practices. There are some features appear to be common to many basic religions that still exist or existed in some form in the nineteenth and twentieth century’s, when anthropologists began to study them. These features have begun also appeared in the historical religions of which we are aware. These common features are; • Animism • Magic •
“[The church] should be purified of their unregenerate members…heretical clergymen…bishops and archbishops, but they were nevertheless churches and must be embraced as churches” (Morgan 31). These non-separating Puritans made it their goal to create a superlative Christian community in the New World. In doing so they hoped to serve as an example to encourage reform within the Church of England. Morgan, author of The Puritan Dilemma, describes the non-separating Puritans overall view of the Church of England to be more positive than negative. “[The church] had bought the means of salvation to many of their members and might still do so” (Morgan 31).