Traditional African Religions in South African Law

Traditional African Religions in South African Law PDF Author: T. W. Bennett
Publisher: University of Cape Town Press
ISBN: 9781919895383
Category : Blacks
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"Traditional African beliefs, together with African cultural traditions, are enjoying a new-found respect in South Africa, due in large part to the advent of the country's democratic constitution. In fact, a large majority of the South African population adheres to some form of traditional belief, often in combination with observance of other religions. Even so, the traditional faiths are poorly understood and, in spite of constitutional guarantees, receive far from equal treatment, a situation quite at odds with the country's commitment to equality and religious and cultural diversity. Throughout Africa, there is a strong tendency to confound indigenous beliefs with culture. Because religion is always taken more seriously than culture, this means that traditional beliefs do not attract the respect they deserve. While there are numerous works on the subject of religion in Africa, there are no works on traditional African religions and their legal implications. The issue is nevertheless of serious political and legal concern in South Africa, since it raises diverse questions involving freedom of religion, the equal treatment of religions, traditional healing, witchcraft, animal sacrifice, circumcision, marriage and burial. The overall purpose of the title is to consider whether indigenous African religions, independent African churches and traditional practices deserve constitutional protection and recognition by the state. If recognised, they will then become subject to certain state controls and benefits: the need for registration; the licensing of ministers as marriage officers (with consequences for the validity of customary and other marriages); and significantly, of course, tax exemptions. This title thus explores the legal and constitutional implications of traditional religion and, in particular, the state's intervention in religious matters."--Publisher's description.

Traditional African Religions in South African Law

Traditional African Religions in South African Law PDF Author: T. W. Bennett
Publisher: University of Cape Town Press
ISBN: 9781919895383
Category : Blacks
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book

Book Description
"Traditional African beliefs, together with African cultural traditions, are enjoying a new-found respect in South Africa, due in large part to the advent of the country's democratic constitution. In fact, a large majority of the South African population adheres to some form of traditional belief, often in combination with observance of other religions. Even so, the traditional faiths are poorly understood and, in spite of constitutional guarantees, receive far from equal treatment, a situation quite at odds with the country's commitment to equality and religious and cultural diversity. Throughout Africa, there is a strong tendency to confound indigenous beliefs with culture. Because religion is always taken more seriously than culture, this means that traditional beliefs do not attract the respect they deserve. While there are numerous works on the subject of religion in Africa, there are no works on traditional African religions and their legal implications. The issue is nevertheless of serious political and legal concern in South Africa, since it raises diverse questions involving freedom of religion, the equal treatment of religions, traditional healing, witchcraft, animal sacrifice, circumcision, marriage and burial. The overall purpose of the title is to consider whether indigenous African religions, independent African churches and traditional practices deserve constitutional protection and recognition by the state. If recognised, they will then become subject to certain state controls and benefits: the need for registration; the licensing of ministers as marriage officers (with consequences for the validity of customary and other marriages); and significantly, of course, tax exemptions. This title thus explores the legal and constitutional implications of traditional religion and, in particular, the state's intervention in religious matters."--Publisher's description.

African Religions

African Religions PDF Author: Jacob K. Olupona
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199790582
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
This book connects traditional religions to the thriving religious activity in Africa today.

Religion and Law in South Africa

Religion and Law in South Africa PDF Author: Charles Maimela
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
ISBN: 9403512008
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this convenient resource provides systematic information on how South Africa deals with the role religion plays or can play in society, the legal status of religious communities and institutions, and the legal interaction among religion, culture, education, and media. After a general introduction describing the social and historical background, the book goes on to explain the legal framework in which religion is approached. Coverage proceeds from the principle of religious freedom through the rights and contractual obligations of religious communities; international, transnational, and regional law effects; and the legal parameters affecting the influence of religion in politics and public life. Also covered are legal positions on religion in such specific fields as church financing, labour and employment, and matrimonial and family law. A clear and comprehensive overview of relevant legislation and legal doctrine make the book an invaluable reference source and very useful guide. Succinct and practical, this book will prove to be of great value to practitioners in the myriad instances where a law-related religious interest arises in South Africa. Academics and researchers will appreciate its value as a thorough but concise treatment of the legal aspects of diversity and multiculturalism in which religion plays such an important part.

The Lausanne Covenant

The Lausanne Covenant PDF Author: John R. W. Stott
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Evangelicalism
Languages : en
Pages : 37

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Book Description


African Traditional Religion in South Africa

African Traditional Religion in South Africa PDF Author: David Chidester
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 0313032254
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 476

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Book Description
In a changing South Africa, recovering the meaning and power of African tradition is a matter of crucial importance. This work participates in that recovery by providing a comprehensive guide to research on the indigenous religious heritage of this dynamic country. Detailed reviews of over 600 books, articles, and theses are offered along with introductory essays and detailed annotations that define the field of study. This work plus two forthcoming volumes, Christianity in South Africa: An Annotated Bibliography and Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism in South Africa: An Annotated Bibliography will become the standard reference work on South African religions. Scholars and students in Religious Studies, Social Anthropology, History, and African Studies will find this set particularly useful. This work organizes and annotates all the relevant literature on Khoisan, Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho-Tswana, Swazi, Tsonga, and Venda traditions. The annotations are concise yet detailed essays written in an engaging and accessible style and supported by an exhaustive index, which comprise a full and complex profile of African traditional religion in South Africa.

Religions of South Africa (Routledge Revivals)

Religions of South Africa (Routledge Revivals) PDF Author: David Chidester
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317649877
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Book Description
First published in 1992, this title explores the religious diversity of South Africa, organizing it into a single coherent narrative and providing the first comparative study and introduction to the topic. David Chidester emphasizes the fact that the complex distinctive character of South African religious life has taken shape with a particular economic, social and political context, and pays special attention to the creativity of people who have suffered under conquest, colonialism and apartheid. With an overview of African traditional religion, Christian missions, and African innovations during the nineteenth century, this reissue will be of great value to students of religious studies, South African history, anthropology, sociology, and political studies.

Law, Religion and Human Flourishing in Africa

Law, Religion and Human Flourishing in Africa PDF Author: M. Christian Green
Publisher: AFRICAN SUN MeDIA
ISBN: 1928314597
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 460

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Book Description
A shared interest of law and religion is the advancement of human flourishing, yet there is no common understanding of what it means for humans to flourish and the means by which to attain a flourishing life. The concept of human flourishing is especially important for Africa, where community and national development compete with forces of conflict and scarce resources. In the broadest sense, the concept of human flourishing focuses our attention on having a comprehensively good or worthwhile life, but various religious and legal traditions suggest different norms for measuring the quality of life and designing the institutional structures that could best facilitate and preserve it.

Religious Plurality in Africa

Religious Plurality in Africa PDF Author: Jacob K. Olupona
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter
ISBN: 3110850079
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 480

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Book Description
The series Religion and Society (RS) contributes to the exploration of religions as social systems– both in Western and non-Western societies; in particular, it examines religions in their differentiation from, and intersection with, other cultural systems, such as art, economy, law and politics. Due attention is given to paradigmatic case or comparative studies that exhibit a clear theoretical orientation with the empirical and historical data of religion and such aspects of religion as ritual, the religious imagination, constructions of tradition, iconography, or media. In addition, the formation of religious communities, their construction of identity, and their relation to society and the wider public are key issues of this series.

Introduction to African Religion

Introduction to African Religion PDF Author: John S. Mbiti
Publisher: Waveland Press
ISBN: 1478628928
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 215

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Book Description
In his widely acclaimed survey, John Mbiti sheds light on the survival and prosperity of African Religion in different historical, geographical, sociological, cultural, and physical environments. He presents a constellation of African worldviews, beliefs in God, use of symbols, valued traditions, and practices that have taken root with African peoples throughout the vast continent. Mbiti’s accessible writing style sympathetically portrays how African Religion manifests itself in ritual, festival, healing, the human life cycle, and interplay with the mystical and invisible world. The account embraces foundational traditions, while touching on elements that spawn transitions, including migration, the spread of Christianity and Islam, political-economic development, and modern communication. This popular introduction leaves readers with informed knowledge of the riches of African heritage.

African Traditions in the Study of Religion, Diaspora and Gendered Societies

African Traditions in the Study of Religion, Diaspora and Gendered Societies PDF Author: Ezra Chitando
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317184181
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
The historiography of African religions and religions in Africa presents a remarkable shift from the study of 'Africa as Object' to 'Africa as Subject', thus translating the subject from obscurity into the global community of the academic study of religion. This book presents a unique multidisciplinary exploration of African Traditions in the Study of Religion, Diaspora, and Gendered Societies. The book is structured under two main sections. The first provides insights into the interface between Religion and Society. The second features African Diaspora together with Youth and Gender which have not yet featured prominently in studies on religion in Africa. Contributors drawn from diverse African and global contexts situate current scholarly traditions of the study of African religions within the purview of academic encounter and exchanges with non-African scholars and non-African contexts. African scholars enrich the study of religions from their respective academic and methodological orientations. Jacob Kehinde Olupona stands out as a pioneer in the socio-scientific interpretation of African indigenous religion and religions in Africa and the new African Diaspora. This book honours his immense contribution to an emerging field of study and research.