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| Title: | A critique of irrational elements in African beliefs |
| Author: | Adekannbi, Gill Oluwatosin |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Periodical: | Orita: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies (ISSN 0030-5596) |
| Volume: | 41 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Pages: | 276-288 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Nigeria |
| Subjects: | popular beliefs witchcraft Yoruba |
| Abstract: | This paper shows how individuals and organizations in Africa, just like Europe and America, have raised their voices against the increasing number of controversial stories of claims of supernatural influences or interference in human affairs, suppression of thoughts, sexual abuse and extrajudicial inflicting of punishment or killing by individuals professing authority from a spiritual realm. After a brief consideration of the socioreligious atmosphere that engenders the romance with the supernatural sphere, the paper shows how the prevalent recourse to mystery in providing reasons for extraordinary occurrences could be most subjective. It then relates how what may seem a private expression of sociocultural or religious views is confronted with criticism when it infests the public domain with disquieting concerns. The paper illustrates how practices rooted in superstition are perceived as growing threats to people's welfare in the continent. When the subject is understood in these terms, more meaning could be added to the search for a solution to sporadic religious, political and social conflicts in Africa. The paper uses examples from, amongst others, the Yoruba (Nigeria). Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract] |