How Much Of Our African Culture Should We Give Up For Christianity?

For example is it still ok to prostrate to greet parents and elders, if Christianity says that God alone should be given such deference.

Bowing, and prostrating are African.
gods and kings are honoured in this way.

cGood question. This is a clear case of Western hypocrisy.

They [Westerners] preserve what is good in their respective cultures; while they encourage Africans to destroy their beautiful customs and traditions.

The results are tragic => Africans lose their identity: they are neither fully African, nor fully Westernized.

The bible should be studied [and prayed with] carefully.

  As long as that culture contradicts any biblical commandment, it must go!

   I still kneel to greet my parents and elder folks. . . I see it as a sign of respect NOT a form of worship. It is the intent that matters in this case I think.

   I know there're many things in african tradition that must be given up but I can't seem to think of any now. . .

I suppose my question is founded upon an observation that many Africans still hold on to certain superstitions like, don't cross your feet over another person's body, , and several other superstitions that I'm sure you can all recollect a few.

We still believe certain things bring bad luck and some things bring good luck.

When God asked us to honour our parents, he didn't outline a particular way to do so.
He didn't say bow to your parents or prostrate.

He said honour, so which ever way u honour, honour.

I am Bini and we kneel to show honour to our elders. My friend is igbo, they don't kneel, my grandmother looked at her with an evil eye when the girl greeted her without kneeling. Does this mean that my friend was wrong? No.
When we're done eating, we greet everyone in the house. I greeted my yoruba aunty and she looked at me with shock. Does that mean that I am wrong? No.

I hope that explains it.


LOLOLOL. Imhotep, I'm sure you can figure out why I'm laughing especially when you read JeSoul's post.
Lol. Wonders shall never cease.

JeSoul, it's nothing bad, I promise. It's just funny.

  sista can I get in on the joke so I can laugh too 

None

evil acts such as? mr big minded man
so what exactly is your point that by swearing with all those u'd not lie?
can u please name which rich cultures christainity has washed?and then u can answer the question the poster asked
How much of our African culture should we give up for christainity?

Those are clearly wrong. I don't believe there is any communication between the livng and the dead although catholics do.

Speaking of Postrating: i think thats only an act of respect to who you are postrating for, bowing to your parents is an act of courtsy, and it is very different to reverence to God because the circumstances surrounding it are different, bbut doing that in a situation like, postrating to you parent as an act of worship is defintely out of the question.

@lucrabasi,
On the contrary, many Christians are actually clueless as to when the line is being crossed.

During a traditional marriage or many grand ocassions, Kola is broken. Do you know what prayers are said to the gods during the breaking of kola? eg 'He who brings kola, brings life'. May the spirits protect all and sundry. etc

After some of such covenants to th egods, audience all clap hands. Not realising that one may have just signed up to a few years odf bondage.

Read your post and think about the things you accuse the Catholics of doing.


I agree with this. Almost all my life of attending a church (protestant) I don't remember a service where prosperity (monetary mostly) was not fit into this. I hardly remember anything on living as a christian, other than when someone sins and the hypocrites judge.


Just because you have your belief, doesn't make this belief wrong.

I don't necessarily agree with the spirits the igbos are calling on. DOn't know much about that, but  I do believe in the communication between the dead and the living. I believe in the exchange of spiritual gifts. Remember Christians are not of this world, that is the trick  .

Can someone explain the spirits thing at the meetings and weddings, please. What are these spirits?

Did I ever tell you that I don't want to die? Am I not a Christian woman?

Did i not explain to you what "of this world" means? Man stop catching amnesia.

  Lady every day you display your insecurities in your faith on these boards. Why are you so bitter?
NOBODY was saying anything or mentioning anything catholic here, the discussion is just going on nicely and you just couldn't help yourself but go and bring up protestant vs catholic again 
  We are trying to be peaceful but it just seems you cannot be.

Please re-read the post and the subject of this thread. Obviously when AKO and myself said that we see this as a sign of respect not a form of worship and you are comparing it to what catholics do - it is two very different scenarios and issues at hand and your comparison fails woefully.
 
  Abeg try and resist making every discussion a catholic vs protestant issue, and then crying you are the victim. . . we are tired of it.   

@~Lady~:

Your explanation did not justify your meaning "of this world." No one is "of this world," since we all have to die. Don't forget Judgement day.

And am too young to catch amnesia. You should know that by now.  By your saying it does not mean it is so. Te same that your of this world expression does not really make Christianity special. Afterall, Jesus said that he will deny some of the Christians when they come to him, in the day of Judgement.