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This chapter examines the interplay between Christianity on the one hand and African Traditional Religions (ATRs) on the other. It is argued in this chapter that the interaction between Christianity and ATRs over the centuries has been characterised by conflict and cooperation. In the first instance, Christian missionaries adopted a negative attitude towards African culture generally and African peoples' religious beliefs and practices in particular. They called for their eradication because, they believed, they were demonic, therefore, contrary to the ideals of Christian teaching and spirituality. And yet, paradoxically, missionaries both in the past and present have been quick to realise that Christianity cannot exist in a vacuum; that African Christians are cultural beings and that they are Africans first and Christians second. As a result of this awareness, right from the beginning of Christian missions to the present day, attempts have been made to Africanisé Christianity in matters of theology, worship, church practice, religious symbols and spirituality. The primary objective for doing this has been to produce a church which is authentically African and genuinely Christian. This, it is argued, is the only way in which Christianity will remain entrenched in the bosom of mother Africa for ever.
Introduction
This chapter examines the interplay between Christianity on the one hand and African Traditional Religions (ATRs) on the other. It is argued in this chapter that the interaction between Christianity and ATRs over the centuries has been characterised by conflict and cooperation. In the first instance, Christian missionaries adopted a negative attitude towards African culture generally and African peoples' religious beliefs and practices in particular. They called for their eradication because, they believed, they were demonic, therefore, contrary to the ideals of Christian teaching and spirituality. And yet, paradoxically, missionaries both in the past and present have been quick to realise that Christianity cannot exist in a vacuum; that African Christians are cultural beings and that they are Africans first and Christians second. As a result of this awareness, right from the beginning of Christian missions to the present day, attempts have been made to Africanisé Christianity in matters of theology, worship, church practice, religious symbols and spirituality. The primary objective for doing this has been to produce a church which is authentically...