Alloughani: Understanding Abdullah All

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Alloughani 1 2 Alloughani African understanding Abdullah Alloughani Mutombo Nkulu R S 150 world Religions 3rd of November 2015 Part 1 The African understanding of God differs from their western counterparts. While westerners believe that there is only one God, Africans believe that there is a superior God and under him are several other gods charged with the responsibilities of both taking care and punishing the people. They believe that their gods dwell among them and they can be seen. They define gods according to the roles that they play. For example Africans believe that there is a god charged with the responsibility of deciding when it will rain and when it will not.

They understand their gods have feelings and in many cases and especially in the traditional days, they would offer sacrifices to them so as to appease them. Africans believe that their gods can be accessed through prayers and do have dwelling places here on earth. This is seen through their prayer rituals where they pray facing certain directions and even at times at the foot of physical features such as mountains. Unlike what westerners view of the African belief in their gods, Africans believe that the availability of so many gods only indicates that their God is accessible at all times and is ready to answer their prayers when they call unto Him. Africans are polytheistic.

The Africans accord certain characteristics to their God. They believe that their God is accessible and cares for them and this is the reason they have so many gods that they can pray to anytime they need. They also believe that their God can get angry and exert punishment on them and that is why they feel obligated to offer offerings to Him to appease Him. Above all they believe that God is omnipresent and can be at any place in any given period. He is not confined in one area.

For an individual to be considered as a man/woman of God they must abide to the teachings of the Bible. This are individuals that take heed to the teachings and show love to their neighbors and take care of the underprivileged in the society. They would have to be selfless in their activities and willing to carry out offerings to their gods. Part 2 Africans have greatly contributed to world civilization unlike the beliefs of many Westerners. They have been responsible for the advancements in writing and recording of events and even creation of numbers that helped to advance trade.

However, the idea that Africans could be responsible for such advancements have also been met with questions. One case in particular is the Egyptian problem. This is a raging debate on whether the blacks are really capable of development. Many of the stories that were presented by Westerners during the colonial and slavery period was that blacks were savage people who lived in the jungle and were not knowledgeable on anything. The Egyptian problem is based on three points.

The first is whether the first Egyptians were black, the second is if the blacks were responsible for the advancements made in Egypt and transferred to the rest of the world and finally that neither the first nor the second statements were true. Those that state that the first Egyptians were indeed black are criticized for their stand and those that accept this stand go ahead and claim that blacks were not responsible for the advancements made in Egypt. The cuneiform was a writing technique that developed from Egypt and it was this that was utilized to develop further writing techniques. This form of writing was used to write down the Bible that has helped to advance Christianity. The Greek miracle as it is referred to was a period between 4th and 6th century when Greek experienced technological advancement.

The Iron Age was a period when advanced forms of writing were discovered. This in turn made the learning of other disciplines such as architecture and even art to be easily developed and transferred. Therefore, blacks have made great contributions to not only Christianity but also technological advancements. Part 3 The most valuable lessoned that I have learned from this assignment is that while people may differ on their beliefs at the end they all serve a superior being. For westerners that practice Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism or any other religion, they do so because they believe in the presence of a superior being that controls the universe.

Westerners have no right to look down on the Africans and their form of beliefs because they too understand the importance of having faith in a superior being. Blacks are not backward and if any they might be the individuals that helped to preserve religious teachings seeing that they were responsible for discovering writing techniques. Quotations Well-tended is mankind – God’s Cattle: this indicates that God always takes care of his people. Life on earth passes it is not long, happy is the man that is remembered: An individual should strive to live a fulfilling life, knowing well that it does not last forever. You can’t hate your origin and not end up hating yourself: A person should be proud of their backgrounds despite what other people might say.

You cannot develop other people, you can only develop yourself: if one wants to see change occurring in the society then they have to begin by adopting the change themselves. How could Africans have produced such high civilization: an indication that judging people by their color is only backward.

Paper For Above instruction

The religious and cultural perspectives of Africa have historically contrasted sharply with those of Western civilizations. While Western religions such as Christianity and Islam emphasize monotheism—the belief in a single, all-powerful deity—African traditional religions often embrace polytheism, animism, and specific spiritual practices that reflect a rich tapestry of spiritual understanding rooted in community and nature. This paper explores the African view of God, contributions to civilization, and the lessons learned from these perspectives, emphasizing the importance of cultural respect and acknowledgment of diverse belief systems.

The African Understanding of God

In the African worldview, the concept of God differs significantly from the Western monotheistic perspective. Africans believe in a superior God, often referred to as the Supreme God or Creator, who is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. Unlike Western notions of a singular deity distant from human affairs, African spirituality commonly depicts this God as accessible, involved, and caring for His creation. Africans also recognize a pantheon of subordinate gods or spirits, each responsible for specific aspects of life, such as rainfall, fertility, or health. These lesser gods act as intermediaries, mediating between humans and the Supreme God.

Many traditional African religions incorporate practices such as sacrifices, rituals, and prayers directed towards these deities. For instance, sacrifices may be offered at sacred sites, mountains, or specific geographic features believed to be dwelling places of spirits. Rituals often involve prayer facing particular directions, reflecting a deep connection to physical and spiritual geography. Importantly, many Africans believe that their gods are accessible at all times and that their prayers are answered promptly, reinforcing a polytheistic worldview where the divine is close and responsive.

Attributes and Characteristics of the African God

African conceptions of God attribute various qualities such as care, justice, anger, and omnipresence. They believe that their Supreme God cares for humanity and is compassionate, yet capable of anger and punishment if disrespected or neglected. To maintain harmony and favor with the divine, offerings, sacrifices, and moral conduct are emphasized. Africans also believe that God is omnipresent—that He can be found anywhere and at any time—highlighting His immanence in everyday life, nature, and community affairs.

The moral expectations of individuals are tied to their relationship with the divine; those considered "men or women of God" are expected to adhere to teachings of their faith, demonstrate love and compassion, and serve their communities selflessly. Such individuals often exemplify virtues of humility, charity, and moral integrity, which are seen as reflections of their connection with the divine.

Contributions of Africans to World Civilization

Contrary to misconceptions fueled during the colonial and slavery eras, Africans have made significant contributions to global civilization, especially in areas like writing, mathematics, and technology. Ancient Egypt, often at the center of this discussion, was a highly advanced civilization that contributed innovations in architecture, medicine, and writing systems such as hieroglyphics. Many scholars argue that Egypt's contributions laid foundational stones for subsequent advancements in Greece and beyond.

However, debates such as the "Egyptian problem" focus on whether early Egyptians were black and whether blacks were responsible for this civilization's achievements. Critics have challenged the notion that Africans directly contributed to major innovations, often dismissing or downplaying their role. Nonetheless, evidence suggests that African civilizations played a crucial role in the development of systems like cuneiform, which influenced writing traditions that underpin biblical texts and Western literacy. Moreover, the Iron Age marked technological progress globally, with African societies contributing significantly to metallurgical techniques and cultural development.

Lesson Learned from African and Western Cultural Divergence

One of the most profound lessons from examining African spirituality and civilization is the universal truth that all humans, regardless of cultural or religious differences, acknowledge and serve a higher power. Both Africans and Westerners tether their belief systems to the idea of a supreme being—whether it is the Christian God, Allah, or the African Supreme Being—highlighting a shared human inclination towards spirituality and morality.

Furthermore, the misconception that African civilizations were primitive or incapable of advancement reflects a bias rooted in colonialism and racism. Evidence of high civilization, such as sophisticated writing, architecture, and technological achievements in Africa, contradicts these stereotypes. Judging people solely by physical characteristics is outdated and unjust; true civilization is defined by knowledge, innovation, and moral development, which many African communities exemplify.

Respecting diverse religious beliefs fosters mutual understanding and promotes global harmony. Africans' contributions to civilization—through their innovations in writing, science, and moral teachings—are vital to appreciating humanity’s collective progress. Recognizing the value in different belief systems enriches our understanding of human history and encourages a more inclusive perspective on cultural achievements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the African understanding of God, their contributions to civilization, and the lessons learned from their cultural heritage emphasize the importance of respect and recognition of diverse belief systems. While Western religions often focus on monotheism and faith in a distant deity, African spirituality embodies a more accessible, community-oriented conception of the divine. Their historical contributions demonstrate that innovation and moral development are universal human traits, transcending racial and cultural boundaries. Embracing this diversity enhances our collective understanding and fosters a more inclusive and respectful global society.

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