Culture and Belief Systems: A Christian Experience in the 21st Century

Abstract

Culture, which is manifested in symbols, heroes, rituals, values and practices, refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religions, concepts of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving; it is the sum total of the learned behavior of a group of people that are generally considered to be the tradition of that people and are transmitted from generation to generation. The aim of this paper is an evaluation of the relationship between culture and belief systems on the one hand and between African religion and Christianity on the other. Are they partners or rivals? The emphases here are on conflicts, challenges and solutions for a peaceful co-existence in the 21st century Nigerian society and beyond. The paper ends with far-reaching recommendations and a list of activities for a better understanding and appreciation of the relationship between Christian and Nigerian culture and belief systems. The work is a contribution to the ongoing debate on cultural revival.