An Introduction to An Introduction to Traditional Traditional

ReligionReligionJim Sutherland, PhDJim Sutherland, PhD

RMNI.orgRMNI.org

Who Are Ethnoreligionists?Who Are Ethnoreligionists?

They are animists, polytheists and shamanists tied They are animists, polytheists and shamanists tied to an ethnic group, according to the World to an ethnic group, according to the World Christian Database.Christian Database.

Other names are “traditional religions,” “tribal Other names are “traditional religions,” “tribal religions,” “cosmic religion,” or “primitive religions.” religions,” “cosmic religion,” or “primitive religions.” Ebenezer Boafo, “Communicating the Message About Jesus to African Traditional Religionists,” p. 1Ebenezer Boafo, “Communicating the Message About Jesus to African Traditional Religionists,” p. 1

““The essence of all African traditional religions is The essence of all African traditional religions is the overlaying of our world by another world of the overlaying of our world by another world of gods, spirits of the returning dead and rites in a gods, spirits of the returning dead and rites in a world where everything is alive.” world where everything is alive.” Boafo, p. 3Boafo, p. 3

Traditional Religionists/AnimistsTraditional Religionists/Animists Missionaries have been quite successful in reaching Missionaries have been quite successful in reaching

animistic peoples overall:animistic peoples overall: In 1900 9.2% of Africa was Christian. In 2000, 45.9% In 1900 9.2% of Africa was Christian. In 2000, 45.9%

were. Population grew 626% in that period, while were. Population grew 626% in that period, while Christianity grew by 3,500%.Christianity grew by 3,500%.11

Yet ethnoreligionists (tribal religions) were 117,537,000 in Yet ethnoreligionists (tribal religions) were 117,537,000 in 1900 and 266,281,000 in 2009.1900 and 266,281,000 in 2009.22

In 1900 ethnoreligionists were 7.2% of the global In 1900 ethnoreligionists were 7.2% of the global population. In 2009, they are 3.9% of global population. In 2009, they are 3.9% of global population population (World Christian Database). (World Christian Database). Their percentage is Their percentage is declining, while absolute numbers are increasing.declining, while absolute numbers are increasing.

1 Michael Jaffarian, “The demographics of world religions entering the 21st century,” in 1 Michael Jaffarian, “The demographics of world religions entering the 21st century,” in Between past & Between past & futurefuture, J. Bonk ed. 2003, pp. 255, 260-261., J. Bonk ed. 2003, pp. 255, 260-261.

2 2 David Barrett, Todd M. Johnson & Peter Crossing, “Christian World Communions: Five David Barrett, Todd M. Johnson & Peter Crossing, “Christian World Communions: Five Overviews of Global Christianity, AD 1800-2025,” Int’l Bulletin of Missionary Research, Jan. Overviews of Global Christianity, AD 1800-2025,” Int’l Bulletin of Missionary Research, Jan. 2009, Global Table 5, p. 25.2009, Global Table 5, p. 25.

Religions Based on Religions Based on BeingsBeings

““High” ReligionsHigh” Religions

““cosmic gods”cosmic gods” ““angels”angels” ““demons”demons” ““spirits of other worlds”spirits of other worlds” When Christianity confronts When Christianity confronts

other other highhigh religions, it is a religions, it is a truthtruth encounter. encounter.11

Deal with ultimate issues.Deal with ultimate issues.22

““Low Religions”—Beings Low Religions”—Beings on earthon earth ““local gods and local gods and

goddesses”goddesses” ““ancestors and ghosts”ancestors and ghosts” ““spirits”spirits” ““demons and evil spirits”demons and evil spirits” ““dead saints”dead saints” When Christianity confronts When Christianity confronts

animisticanimistic religions, it is a religions, it is a powerpower encounter. encounter.11

Deal with “immediate” issues.Deal with “immediate” issues.22

1 Paul G. Hiebert, “The Flaw of the Excluded Middle,” Missiology: An International Review, 10:1, Jan. 1982, p. 40, 45. 2 Dean C. Halverson, “Animism,” in The Compact Guide to World Religions, Dean Halverson, ed., 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 40.

Charms and RitesCharms and Rites

In Uganda spouses sometimes put a picture of In Uganda spouses sometimes put a picture of their spouse in a bottle and wear it, to increase their spouse in a bottle and wear it, to increase love from the partner.love from the partner. Women will sometimes wear beads around their Women will sometimes wear beads around their

middle for the same purpose. middle for the same purpose.

In South Korea, people will put sacred words on a In South Korea, people will put sacred words on a paper.paper. In Uganda men and women may smoke a pipe and In Uganda men and women may smoke a pipe and

speak what they want to happen into the smoke. For speak what they want to happen into the smoke. For example they might want a particular person to love example they might want a particular person to love them or to give them money.them or to give them money.

Religion Based on Cosmic Religion Based on Cosmic ForcesForces““High” ReligionsHigh” Religions

““kismet”kismet” ““fate”fate” ““Brahman and karma”Brahman and karma” ““impersonal cosmic impersonal cosmic

forces”forces” predestinationpredestination

““Low Religions”Low Religions” ““mana”mana” ““astrological forces”astrological forces” ““charms, amulets and charms, amulets and

magical rites”magical rites” A witchdoctor gave small pieces A witchdoctor gave small pieces

of a lion pelt to hold for courage.of a lion pelt to hold for courage.

““evil eye, evil tongue”evil eye, evil tongue” In the DRCongo, the “oola” is the In the DRCongo, the “oola” is the

evil eye from certain women. It’s evil eye from certain women. It’s believed that if they look at a believed that if they look at a baby it starts to cry and then dies.baby it starts to cry and then dies.

witchcraftwitchcraftPaul G. Hiebert, “The Flaw of the Excluded Middle,” Missiology: An International Review, 10:1, Jan. 1982, p. 40.

Power Power EncounterEncounter

Huntington Mammu is an elder at Ntenjeru Community Huntington Mammu is an elder at Ntenjeru Community Presbyterian Church, near Kampala, Uganda. He purchased Presbyterian Church, near Kampala, Uganda. He purchased land that had a stone on it considered to have power land that had a stone on it considered to have power (“mana”). People who approached that stone brought (“mana”). People who approached that stone brought money, out of respect. He couldn’t find anyone to clear the money, out of respect. He couldn’t find anyone to clear the new property, due to fear of this large stone, so he cleared it new property, due to fear of this large stone, so he cleared it himself. But he offered nothing to the stone. Two weeks later himself. But he offered nothing to the stone. Two weeks later he was near the stone and a cobra bit him. He called out to he was near the stone and a cobra bit him. He called out to the Lord, ate onion, but deliberately did not go to a doctor, the Lord, ate onion, but deliberately did not go to a doctor, since he considered it demonic. He was not hurt. since he considered it demonic. He was not hurt.

The “Excluded Middle”The “Excluded Middle” Hiebert points out that Christian missionaries from Hiebert points out that Christian missionaries from

the West have been able to help concerning the West have been able to help concerning matters of eternity and matters of human society matters of eternity and matters of human society (family, marriage, other social relations). But, at (family, marriage, other social relations). But, at least in the past, they haven’t been able to give least in the past, they haven’t been able to give alternatives to tribal religionists who go to the alternatives to tribal religionists who go to the witchdoctor or shaman for guidance and protection witchdoctor or shaman for guidance and protection from evil spirits, or for help in times of crises.from evil spirits, or for help in times of crises. What does Christianity say about getting rain for the What does Christianity say about getting rain for the

crops, knowing to whom to give a daughter in marriage, crops, knowing to whom to give a daughter in marriage, or how to counter magic directed against you? This or how to counter magic directed against you? This “middle area” was not adequately addressed. “middle area” was not adequately addressed. Hiebert, p. 44Hiebert, p. 44

Taking Spirits SeriouslyTaking Spirits Seriously

Rodney Henry, in Rodney Henry, in The Filipino Spirit WorldThe Filipino Spirit World relates relates that there is a “conspiracy of silence” among that there is a “conspiracy of silence” among laypeople in that they don’t go to clergy about spirits, laypeople in that they don’t go to clergy about spirits, because they don’t think the clergy will take them because they don’t think the clergy will take them seriously.seriously. Henry wrote of a layman who went to an American Henry wrote of a layman who went to an American

missionary to pray for a friend who was “troubled by missionary to pray for a friend who was “troubled by demons.” The missionary laughed and began talking about demons.” The missionary laughed and began talking about something else. something else.

Dean C. Halverson, “Animism,” in Dean C. Halverson, “Animism,” in The Compact Guide to World Religions,The Compact Guide to World Religions, Dean Dean Halverson, ed., 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 43.Halverson, ed., 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 43.

““Folk” Religions Folk” Religions All major religions have those who mix their beliefs All major religions have those who mix their beliefs

with animistic ones, on the level of daily living. For with animistic ones, on the level of daily living. For example:example: Most Muslims rely upon holy men—“marabuts” who head Most Muslims rely upon holy men—“marabuts” who head

Sufis, etc.—for their prayers, breath and even spittle for Sufis, etc.—for their prayers, breath and even spittle for miraculous intervention. They also look to saints, both miraculous intervention. They also look to saints, both living and dead, for their intervention when in need. living and dead, for their intervention when in need. Sacred objects, such as trees and rocks, are associated Sacred objects, such as trees and rocks, are associated with saints. Also relics from holy men are used as a with saints. Also relics from holy men are used as a talisman against the talisman against the jinnjinn—evil spirits, generally, and to —evil spirits, generally, and to protect from the genie or devil-mate. protect from the genie or devil-mate. Norman Norman Anderson, Islam, Ch. 9 in Anderson, Islam, Ch. 9 in The World’s ReligionsThe World’s Religions, pp. 113-114, Inter-Varsity Press., pp. 113-114, Inter-Varsity Press.

Generally Held Animistic BeliefsGenerally Held Animistic Beliefs A supreme creator god has been offended by those, A supreme creator god has been offended by those,

so god abandoned humankind, and is now so god abandoned humankind, and is now inaccessible, even by prayerinaccessible, even by prayer The chief god may be named the Sky God or Supreme God.The chief god may be named the Sky God or Supreme God.

Lesser gods are those with whom tribal religionists Lesser gods are those with whom tribal religionists deal. They were created by the high god and live in deal. They were created by the high god and live in inanimate things, but can indwell animals. inanimate things, but can indwell animals. (Boafo, p. 3)(Boafo, p. 3)

Lesser gods live in towns or are served by families or Lesser gods live in towns or are served by families or individuals. individuals. Boafo, p. 3Boafo, p. 3

Personal Spirit BeingsPersonal Spirit Beings

Those that have bodies, including dead ancestorsThose that have bodies, including dead ancestors Those that do not have bodies, such as spirits Those that do not have bodies, such as spirits

and gods.and gods. These spirits are seen as helpers in life, or those that These spirits are seen as helpers in life, or those that

hinder us, if they are not given honor.hinder us, if they are not given honor.

Dean C. Halverson, “Animism,” in Dean C. Halverson, “Animism,” in The Compact Guide to World Religions,The Compact Guide to World Religions, Dean Dean Halverson, ed., 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 40.Halverson, ed., 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 40.

Personal SpiritsPersonal Spirits Spirits have local power, rather than universal Spirits have local power, rather than universal

power.power. Some exercise power over people.Some exercise power over people.

They may influence business deals, marriage, relations They may influence business deals, marriage, relations with others, etc.with others, etc.

Some spirits influence, or seem to influence, Some spirits influence, or seem to influence, nature.nature. Sacrifices are made to the river god in S. Sudan and Sacrifices are made to the river god in S. Sudan and

Uganda.Uganda. They seem to control rain, or harvests, etc. They seem to control rain, or harvests, etc. Dean C. Dean C.

Halverson, “Animism,” in Halverson, “Animism,” in The Compact Guide to World Religions,The Compact Guide to World Religions, Dean Halverson, ed., Dean Halverson, ed., 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 41. 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 41.

Impersonal SpiritsImpersonal Spirits

These are believed to indwell inanimate objects. These are believed to indwell inanimate objects. This concept is called “mana.”This concept is called “mana.”

Additionally, spirits may inhabit words or ritual Additionally, spirits may inhabit words or ritual practices.practices.

Dean C. Halverson, “Animism,” in Dean C. Halverson, “Animism,” in The Compact Guide to World Religions,The Compact Guide to World Religions, Dean Dean Halverson, ed., 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 41.Halverson, ed., 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 41.

Concept of SinConcept of Sin

““Sin, for the African traditional religionist, is not a Sin, for the African traditional religionist, is not a state of being, as in Christianity. Rather, it is state of being, as in Christianity. Rather, it is primarily blasphemies or breach of vows against primarily blasphemies or breach of vows against the gods or ancestors. Murder, theft and all the gods or ancestors. Murder, theft and all ‘offences against persons or property are matters ‘offences against persons or property are matters which have to be settled primarily by the family and which have to be settled primarily by the family and society’ (Williamson, 107). It would appear that the society’ (Williamson, 107). It would appear that the gods and ancestors are mainly concerned about gods and ancestors are mainly concerned about their dignity and about offerings to be paid to them, their dignity and about offerings to be paid to them, and that man’s concerns must be rectified and and that man’s concerns must be rectified and punished by man.” punished by man.” Boafo, p. 3Boafo, p. 3

DivinationDivination To find out information about spirits and the future To find out information about spirits and the future

and other matters of interest, divination is used. and other matters of interest, divination is used. These methods include:These methods include: astrology, reading entrails of animals, using special astrology, reading entrails of animals, using special

stones, and astrology.stones, and astrology. They also may include “They also may include “tarottarot cards, palm reading, the cards, palm reading, the I I

ChingChing, tea-leaf reading, observing how feathers fall, the , tea-leaf reading, observing how feathers fall, the throwing of cowrie shells…necromancy (contacting the throwing of cowrie shells…necromancy (contacting the dead) and interpreting dreams and visions.”dead) and interpreting dreams and visions.”

Leviticus 19:26 "'Do not practice divination or sorcery. NIV Leviticus 19:26 "'Do not practice divination or sorcery. NIV cf. Dt. 18:10. cf. Dt. 18:10. Dean C. Halverson, “Animism,” in Dean C. Halverson, “Animism,” in The Compact Guide to World The Compact Guide to World Religions,Religions, Dean Halverson, ed., 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 40 Dean Halverson, ed., 1996, ISBN:1556617046, p. 40

The AfterlifeThe Afterlife

At death, a person’s At death, a person’s spiritspirit returns to the Supreme returns to the Supreme Being, in African traditional religion. Being, in African traditional religion.

The person’s The person’s soulsoul goes on to the spirit world, goes on to the spirit world, which is like life on earth, and the departed is which is like life on earth, and the departed is considered part of the clan. considered part of the clan. Of course, now they must be kept happy.Of course, now they must be kept happy.

Alternately, some animists believe in Alternately, some animists believe in reincarnation. reincarnation. Boafo, p. 2Boafo, p. 2

The Gospel for AnimistsThe Gospel for Animists

Christians have a great alternative to offer:Christians have a great alternative to offer: freedom from bondage to spirit beings, including freedom from bondage to spirit beings, including

ancestors and evil spirits.ancestors and evil spirits. freedom from impoverishing family by offerings to freedom from impoverishing family by offerings to

appease gods and from paying shamans/medicine men appease gods and from paying shamans/medicine men and women.and women.

forgiveness for sins, which animal sacrifices cannot forgiveness for sins, which animal sacrifices cannot accomplish.accomplish.

Hebrews 10:4 because it is impossible for the blood of Hebrews 10:4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many peoplethe sins of many people

How to Reach AnimistsHow to Reach Animists

Paul Hiebert advocated two ways:Paul Hiebert advocated two ways: (1 a more holistic ministry—dealing with the (1 a more holistic ministry—dealing with the

comprehensive needs of people comprehensive needs of people (2 not going to the extreme of turning Christianity into a (2 not going to the extreme of turning Christianity into a

form of magic, trying to control beings with impersonal form of magic, trying to control beings with impersonal forces, such as formulae—saying the right words. forces, such as formulae—saying the right words. Hiebert, pp. Hiebert, pp. 45-4645-46

Why Knock on Wood?Why Knock on Wood? ““The explanation we prefer is the ancient belief that spirits The explanation we prefer is the ancient belief that spirits

either dwelled in or guarded trees. We prefer this because either dwelled in or guarded trees. We prefer this because many cultures around the world show evidence of tree many cultures around the world show evidence of tree worship dating back thousands of years.” worship dating back thousands of years.”

““Greeks worshipped the oak as it was sacred to Zeus, Celts Greeks worshipped the oak as it was sacred to Zeus, Celts believed in tree spirits, and both believed touching sacred believed in tree spirits, and both believed touching sacred trees would bring good fortune. Irish lore holds that trees would bring good fortune. Irish lore holds that “touching wood" is a way to thank the leprechauns for a bit “touching wood" is a way to thank the leprechauns for a bit of luck. Pagans also held similar beliefs of protective tree of luck. Pagans also held similar beliefs of protective tree spirits. Chinese and Koreans thought the spirits of mothers spirits. Chinese and Koreans thought the spirits of mothers who died in childbirth remained in nearby trees.”who died in childbirth remained in nearby trees.”11

10% of US teens have been in a séance and 8% have cast 10% of US teens have been in a séance and 8% have cast a spell or concocted a potion.a spell or concocted a potion.11

1 Ask Yahoo, http://ask.yahoo.com/20040504.html accessed 5/30/092 1/23/06 Barna Report www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/164-new-research-explores-teenage-views-and-behavior-regarding-the-supernatural

Folk Christianity Folk Christianity Christians may try to control God or spiritsChristians may try to control God or spirits

““Praise goes up, blessings come down.” This is a form of Praise goes up, blessings come down.” This is a form of attempted manipulation. attempted manipulation.

Some think that by reciting the names of God—such as Some think that by reciting the names of God—such as Jehovah Jirah—that God is somehow obligated to Jehovah Jirah—that God is somehow obligated to express that attribute toward the one naming the express that attribute toward the one naming the attribute.attribute.

Some give “seed money” to the church to cause God to Some give “seed money” to the church to cause God to give much more in return.give much more in return.

African Americans have the highest rates of reading African Americans have the highest rates of reading horoscopes, church attendance and Bible reading.horoscopes, church attendance and Bible reading.

Barna Group 6/23/03 http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/123-Barna Group 6/23/03 http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/123-fragmented-populations-require-diverse-means-of-connectionfragmented-populations-require-diverse-means-of-connection

Folk Christianity & ChanceFolk Christianity & Chance ““Christians are more likely to invest their money in Christians are more likely to invest their money in

lottery tickets than are non-Christians. Overall, 15% lottery tickets than are non-Christians. Overall, 15% of born again and 23% of notional Christians of born again and 23% of notional Christians purchased lottery tickets in a typical week, purchased lottery tickets in a typical week, compared to just 10% of other-faith adherents and compared to just 10% of other-faith adherents and 12% of atheists/agnostics.”12% of atheists/agnostics.” Looking to chance for provision?Looking to chance for provision?

5/24/04 http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/188-faith-has-a-limited-effect-on-most-peoples-behavior