SOCI 224: Social Structure of Modern Ghana Session 5 Changes in Religiosity Lecturers: Dr. Fidelia Ohemeng & Dr. Mark K. M. Obeng Department of Sociology Contact Information: fohemeng@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2016/2017
Session Overview Religion plays an important role in the lives of Ghanaians. This section examines the changes that have occurred in traditional Ghanaian religiosity. Two main sources of change: Christianity and Islam are discussed. The implications of Christianity and Islam are also discussed. Slide 2
Session Outline The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows: Topic One: origins of Christianity Topic Two: the impact on the Ghanaian society Topic Three: the origins of Islam and its impact Slide 3
Reading List Abotchie, C. (2014). Social Change in Ghana. Accra: Hans Publications. Chapter 4 Nukunya, G. (2014). Tradition and Change in Ghana: an Introduction to Sociology. Accra: Ghana Universities Press. Pages 141-155 Slide 4
Topic One THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTIANITY Slide 5
DEFINITION Religion is a means to ward off evil spirits (Assimeng, 1981) The search of security / unexplainable causes of misfortune The propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to man believed to control the cause of nature and human life Beliefs and practices associated with the supernatural (Nukunya, 2014:63) Durkheim (1959: 47) a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a church, all those who adhere to them
Origins of Christianity Christianity was formally introduced into the Gold Coast around the 19 th C by missionaries The colonial administration supported them by offering them protection because they also needed the educational elites to help them The Basel Mission was established in 1829, the Methodist in 1835, the Bremen Mission in 1847 and the Roman Catholics in 1880 Slide 7
Trends in Religious Affiliation: 1970-2010 Religion 1970 2000 2010 Christianity 53 68.8 71.2 Islam 14 15.9 17.6 Traditional Religion 21.7 8.5 5.2 No Religion 11.3 6.1 5.2
Other Factors that has caused a change from traditional religion to Christianity Social aspiration- the symbol of success Long life Search for social mobility Social stratification Economic progress The educational institution The diversity of the new Christian churches Slide 9
SOME DYNAMICS REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION NORTHERN REGION MORE MOSLEM: 60% MORE CHRISTIAN IN THE OTHER 9 REGIONS UPPER EAST HIGHEST ATR: 27.9% BRONG AHAFO HIGHEST NUMBER OF NO RELIGION: 7.3% GENDER DISTRIBUTION CHRISTIANITY -FEMALE 73.4% -MALES 68.8% ISLAM MALE 18.3% FEMALE 17.0% NO RELIGION MALE 6.7% FEMALE 3.9%
DENOMINATIONS AND SECTS The causes of the rise of denominations and sects are: Different interpretation of the Christian scripture Differences in the mode of worship Denominations Orthodox or established churches (Protestants + Catholic church ) Further split Assimeng (1981) - dominant theological orientation ) - Millennial: the nearness of the end of the world. Egs Jehovah Witnesses /Seventh Day Adventists. These are dominated by the poor and avoided by the rich - Thaumaturgical : miracle working churches (mostly Pentecostal/ charismatics churches) - More women than men
Population by Religious Affiliation: 2000 & 2010 Religion 2000 (%) 2010 (%) Catholic 15.1 13.1 Protestant 18.6 18.4 Pentecostal/Charismatic 24.1 28.3 Other Christian 11.0 11.4 Islam 15.9 17.6 Traditionalist 8.5 5.2 Other 0.7 0.8 No Religion 6.1 5.3 Slide 12
Islam The use of Chiefs in conversion Sectarianism in Islam Ahmadiyya sect established in 1920 by Missionary E.R Hakeem Impact: Islam has had little Impact on the socio-economic life of Ghanaians because Islam education did not prepare them adequately for the job market Alienation from the traditional belief system Slide 13
Assignment Discuss the view that the decline in traditional religion is the cause of social vices in the Ghanaian society. Slide 14