Is Secularism New in African Societies?
It is fascinating to read what Taylor’s thesis on secularism in our society during this 21st century. He believes that what is wrong with enlightenment quest of progress is what is coming out as secularization that lies behind the enlightenment, what comes to me with controversial issues and asking specific questions from the Africa perspectives. Was secularism part of the African religion before Christianity was introduced?
In Africa, we have remained with a mooted question on what existed before colonialism. In the early period before colonialization in Africa, we experienced various empires, kingdoms, and chiefdoms in the region, which were administered based on models of indigenous governance. There were many different types of relationships that existed between the shrine and the state, the religious order, and the governmental order, the sacred and the secular. Within these kingdoms, there were informal secular approaches to governance within these kingdoms and chiefdoms, although one could not quickly notice.
Taylor’s approach to secularism made me reflect on the Colonialization of the African state and how its fibers got interfered with. There were profound changes brought by colonialization to these socio-political ideologies. State mechanism, which was introduced by colonialists, was not a democratic process instituted following the Enlightenment value of the consent of the governed or respect for individual liberty. However, we still find the colonial structures which eventually laid the foundation for modern-day democracy and constitutional governance in Africa.
Here, Taylor argues against the view that the rise of science and reason causes secularism in society. He continues to say that this view is too simple and does not say why people would abandon their long-term faith in their lives and community. Taylor also states that secularity, in this sense, is a matter of the whole context of understanding in with our moral, spiritual, or religious experience, and the search takes place. It is also clear that age or society would then be secular or not, in virtue of the conditions of knowledge of and search for the spiritual.[1] This does not conform to the Africa type of secularism that is not based on enlightenment of the world, but it’s embedded into the cultural norms of living. Secularism was not in the vocabulary of most African cultures before colonialism. How I wish the cultural practices were not interfered by colonialism that forced the Africans to adopt the way of the western, which was seen as the only authentic life and that of Africans was barbaric and was to be discarded. But if you include a wide range of spiritual and semi-spiritual beliefs, or if you cast your net even wider and think of someone’s religion as the shape of their ultimate concerns, then indeed, one can make a case that religion is as present as ever.[2] To Africans, religion is as present as ever, and one could not differentiate between religion and secularism.
However, I have to comment on a good piece and strong argument Taylor is bringing about this secularism process. The world being global now and enlightenment being experienced all over the world, we cannot escape the 21st-century paradigm shift of secularism taking more space than before.
[1] (Taylor 2007)
[2] (Smith 2014, page 80)
About the Author
John Muhanji
I am the Director Africa Ministries Office of Friends United Meeting. I coordinate all Quaker activities and programs in the Quaker churches and school mostly in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The focus of my work is more on leadership development and church planting in the region especially in Tanzania.. Am married with three children all grown up now. I love playing golf as my exercise hobby. I also love reading.2 responses to “Is Secularism New in African Societies?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
John, I love your perspective of secularism. I think it is interesting how secularism intersects with colonialism. The fact that the colonizers felt that Africa was pagan in nature did recognize any value in the belief systems that were present. I understand what you mean since I really do not think these books speak to the African American way of life which values religion in a different way, although we are now becoming more secularized. Thank you again for your perspective, it is very enlightening.
This is such fascinating insight John, thank you. To read your account of the historical evolution of secularism in Africa is most enlightening. Can’t wait to visit with you this year!