Examining the Impact of the African Traditional Practices on Death on the Anglican Church, South Rwenzori Diocese
| dc.contributor.author | Zerubaberi Bwambale | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-09-11T15:10:49Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-09-11T15:10:49Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-08-20 | |
| dc.description | Postgraduate Research | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study explored the influence of African traditional death practices on the Anglican Church in South Rwenzori Diocese, Uganda, focusing on why these customs persist despite widespread Christian conversion. The research aimed to evaluate the implications of these practices on the church's theological teachings and Gospel communication. The study contextualizes the rapid growth of Christianity in Africa, noting that this expansion has not always led to deep spiritual transformation. It argues that the unexamined blending of the Gospel with African traditions, particularly around death, creates syncretism, diluting the Christian message and altering core faith tenets. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, data was collected from 90 Anglican respondents through pre-tested questionnaires and interviews. The findings indicated that many Anglicans in the region continue to observe traditional death-related practices such as widow inheritance, ritual head shaving, and beliefs in ancestral retribution. These practices persist due to deeply ingrained cultural beliefs and fears, even among Christians. The study revealed that these practices challenge the church's efforts to teach a biblical understanding of death and the afterlife, leading to theological confusion. The blending of traditional and Christian beliefs has also perpetuated practices like polygamy and ancestor veneration, which conflict with biblical teachings. To address these issues, the study recommended the Anglican Church implement more rigorous discipleship programs that promote a biblical worldview, contextualize the Gospel to confront traditional practices, and facilitate open discussions with congregants about the conflicts between these practices and Christian teachings. The study concluded that addressing the mixture of the Gospel and African traditional practices is essential for ensuring that Christianity's growth in the region is not just numerical but also transformative in the lives of believers. The findings provide a framework for the Anglican Church to better communicate the Gospel and challenge cultural practices that contradict the Christian faith. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11951/1388 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Uganda Christian University | |
| dc.title | Examining the Impact of the African Traditional Practices on Death on the Anglican Church, South Rwenzori Diocese | |
| dc.type | Thesis |