Syncretic Beliefs and Practices amongst Christians in Nigeria: Causes and Way Forward
Keywords:
Beliefs, Christians, Syncretism, practices
Abstract
This paper discussed the factors responsible for syncretic beliefs and practices amongst Christians in Nigeria. Secondary data were adopted in the paper. The data were collected from published and unpublished articles. The paper identified protection, power, childbearing, healing and deliverance, unfulfilled needs, miracles, a policy of religious tolerance and materialism as causes of syncretic beliefs and practices amongst Christians in Nigeria. To address and solve this problem, the paper hereby recommended that Church leaders in Nigeria should openly discourage members from engaging in syncretic practices, and should be enlightened on the effects of such engagements. They should be encouraged to trust and wait patiently in the almighty God as the source of their helps as Christians
References
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11. Mwiti, S. G., Nderitu, J. W. & Nderitu, S. (2017). Innovative Christian Strategies for Confronting Syncretic Practices in Selected Methodist and Pentecostal Churches in Abogeta Division, Meru County, Kenya. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research, 3 (1),42-54.
12. Philemon, O. A., Felix, N. S., Josephat, H. & Paulo, J. (2015). Combating Syncretism in Contemporary Seventh-Day Adventist Church Through Enlightened Ministry. Paper
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14. Schineller, P. (1990). A Handbook on inculturation. New York: Paulist.
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16. Tobias, C., Onah, T. C., Eze, V. U., Nnadi, F. U., Mokwenye, M. E. & Ekweme, S. C. (2021).
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2. Amanze, Philemon et all. (2011). Seventh-day Adventist Response to Spiritualism: The Nigerian Experience. Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria: Babcock University Press.
3. Anizoba, E., C. & Aande, S. I. (2021). Critical evaluation of religious syncretism among the Igbo Christians of Nigeria. Acta theol. 41, (2) Bloemfontein.
http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1015- 87582021000300002#:~:text=Syncretism%20has%20remained%20a%20persistent,and% 20African%20traditional%20beliefs%2Fsystems.
4. Arnold, C. (1995). The Colossian Syncretism, The Interface between Christianity and Folk Belief. London: Eerdmans.
5. Asiegbü, A.U. (2000). A crisis of faith and a quest for spirituality: An enquiry into some syncretistic practices among some Christians in Nigeria. Enugu: Pearl.
6. Chidili, B. (1997). Inculturation as a symbol of evangelization: Christian faith taking root in African soil. Jos: Mono Expressions.
7. Ezenweke, E. & Kanu, I. (2015). Perspectives of Syncretism and its Modern Trend: A Case of Christian and African Traditions. UJAH: Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities, 13, (2), 71-84.
8. Hepler, R. & Chapel, L. (2022). What is Syncretism? https://study.com/learn/lesson/cultural- syncretism-defintion-examples-religion.html.
9. Kasomo, D. (2012). An assessment of religious syncretism. A case study in Africa. International Journal of Applied Sociology. [Online.] Retrieved from:
http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.ijas.20120203.01.html
10. Madüka, M. (1991). Need for sincere inculturation. Paper presented to the Catholic Priests of Awka Diocese, Anambra State.
11. Mwiti, S. G., Nderitu, J. W. & Nderitu, S. (2017). Innovative Christian Strategies for Confronting Syncretic Practices in Selected Methodist and Pentecostal Churches in Abogeta Division, Meru County, Kenya. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research, 3 (1),42-54.
12. Philemon, O. A., Felix, N. S., Josephat, H. & Paulo, J. (2015). Combating Syncretism in Contemporary Seventh-Day Adventist Church Through Enlightened Ministry. Paper
13. Presented at the 3rd International Conference on, the Future of Higher Education in Africa.
14. Schineller, P. (1990). A Handbook on inculturation. New York: Paulist.
15. Schreiter, R. (1994). Constructing local theologies. Maryknoll: Orbis.
16. Tobias, C., Onah, T. C., Eze, V. U., Nnadi, F. U., Mokwenye, M. E. & Ekweme, S. C. (2021).
17. Syncretism among Christians in Nigeria and their implications for Nigerian Christians. Sapientia Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Development Studies, 4, (3) 9 – 21.
18. Uche, C. (2014). Religious Movements in Nigeria and Miracles: Challenges to the Church in the New Millennium, 1(1), (35-48).
19. Uya, D. (2012). Christians and Africa Tradition: The African Story” Journal of Religion &
Philosophy, 2, (1).1 - 13
Published
2023-03-16
How to Cite
[1]
Deborah Oluwaseun Jegede, Sunday Noah Onaolapo and Niyi Jacob Ogunode 2023. Syncretic Beliefs and Practices amongst Christians in Nigeria: Causes and Way Forward. International Journal on Integrated Education. 6, 3 (Mar. 2023), 166-172. DOI:https://doi.org/10.17605/ijie.v6i3.4146.
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