Oguaa Journal of Religion and Human Values
Oguaa Journal of Religion and Human Values (OJORHV) is run by the Department of Religion & Human Values, in the Faculty of Arts in the University of Cape Coast. OJORHV subcribes to the COPE rules of peer review. OJORHV aims at contributing to the debate on making the study of religion relevant to the social, economic and political needs of society. The journal gives equal opportunity and space to scholars to present scholarly and insightful research particularly in the areas of Religion and Society with emphasis on Ethics, Philosophy, African Tradition Religion, Islam, Christianity and the Bible as well as issues on human valuess systems.
Department of religion, University of Cape Coast
A Study of Men’s Roles in Churches /Ministries Founded by Women in Yorubaland
The Yoruba ethnic group, predominantly found in southwestern Nigeria and West Africa, relies on oral literature to preserve and understand its culture, including gender relations. Yoruba society emphasizes balance and complementarity between genders, allowing women to hold significant leadership roles in religion and culture. This influence extends to Christianity, where women lead in Orthodox, African Independent, and Pentecostal churches. Some women have even founded churches with male and female congregations. This study examines gender dynamics in Yoruba Christian churches, exploring questions about men's roles, the alignment with Biblical gender roles, and implications for church development. Using a mixed research design, data were collected through interviews with four female church founders and 100 questionnaires distributed across six churches. Each church contributed responses from 15 male and 5 female members, selected via purposive and random sampling methods. Descriptive analysis revealed that 95.8% of respondents reported male cooperation with female church founders, marking a significant shift from traditional Biblical views of male-dominated leadership. This study highlights the evolving gender roles within Yoruba Christianity, reflecting a broader cultural emphasis on shared responsibilities.
Copyright (c) 2025 Oguaa Journal of Religion and Human Values
Migration and Spirituality: The Holiness of the Church as A Reflection of the Holiness of the Migrant Covenanted Israelites
This article discusses the holiness of Christians in relation to that of the migrant Israelites during their wilderness journey from Sinai to the east side of Jordan in the plains of Moab. On the strength of typical stipulations such as those mentioned in Leviticus 11:45 and Deuteronomy 23:12-14, the paper links the expectations of such Pentateuchal laws of holiness with the kind of holy living expected of Christians. Using intertextual links, it shows that the demands of the New Testament (NT) for holiness in particular are clear reflections of what pertained in some of the regulations of the Old Testament (OT) laws. The article concludes with a call on presentday Bible believers who, like the OT believers in God, are also considered as migrants on earth, to strive for holiness throughout their earthly journey.
An Exegetical Study of 1 Corinthians 6:9 and Its Discourse in Relation to the Contemporary Church
Human sexuality has been a fundamental and complex issue throughout history. Scholars have debated the meaning of the term “ἀρσενοκοῖται” (arsenokoitai), used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:9, to support their arguments for or against same-sex relationships. In recent times, several countries, primarily in the northern hemisphere, have recognized gay marriage and allowed homosexual practices. The objective of this paper is to examine Paul’s usage of the Greek term arsenokoitai in its original context and to explore its theological implications for the contemporary Church. Historical and exegetical methods were employed to analyze the lexical and contextual meanings of the text. Data was gathered partly through interviews with ministers from selected Christian churches and through desk research of relevant online and library sources. The analysis of these sources suggests that, although same-sex relationships were common in the ancient Greco-Roman world, Paul likely coined the term arsenokoitai from Leviticus 20:13 to condemn not only same-sex relationships but also other immoral behaviours. The paper concludes that by using the term arsenokoitai, Paul acknowledged that while some individuals in Corinth had engaged in same-sex relationships, they could still seek forgiveness and be cleansed by the blood of Jesus if they repent and accept Christ.
The Use of David’s Story in Matthew 12:1-8: Appraisal of Jesus’ Hermeneutics
Scholars identify Jesus’ hermeneutical methodology of David’s example in Matthew 12:3-4 as (a) rabbinic hermeneutics and (b) typological hermeneutics. In all, Jesus is connected with David. Contemporary New Testament scholars understand Matthean Jesus’s use of the story of David as (1) Jesus has authority like David; (2) Jesus presents himself as the Messiah and an antitype of David; or (3) Jesus sees himself as greater than David and/or the Temple. Thus, scholars compare Jesus with David and postulate that Jesus has authority to ignore the law. Hence, Matthew 12:3-4 has been interpreted through David-Jesus messianic lenses. However, a critical look at the text in its setting questions these long-held views. A critical review of related literature has presented two main gaps that this study seeks to address: (1) comparing David with Jesus makes the comparison awkward; (2) The David-typology approach makes an argument to justify the conduct of Jesus’ disciples, thereby advancing a Christological statement about Jesus and his ministry, without identifying the setting that allows Christological reading of the text. The burden of this research is to explore Jesus’ use David’s example in Matt 12:3-4 in the setting of Jesus and the Evangelist while investigating its hermeneutics.
Intragender Relationship of the Traditional Ilorin Women in Domestic Front: Lessons for Modern Muslim Women
The traditional Ilorin society was renowned for peaceful coexistence among its people and decorum in the family domain. Families made Islamic principles their watchwords and the genders collaborated to ensure that marital obligations were efficiently performed. This paper focuses on the pattern of family management displayed by traditional Ilorin women to facilitate peaceful cohabitation and efficient performance, as wives and mothers. The study is historical and ethnographic, dwelling on the system’s pattern of orientation and integration of new wives, division of domestic chores, collaborative nurturing of children, fraternity system and disciplinary measures. The major instruments for data collection are interview, observation, documented studies and Islamic texts. The study revealed religious faithfulness as their inspiration and Islamic ethics of gentility, mutual support, collaboration among women cohered to channel the family course. These were borne out of sincere love and unity which translated into peace and harmony in the home and the society. The paper submits that if modern women can embrace this Islamic interactive etiquette and hold the marital duties in high esteem, as done by the traditional Ilorin women, there will be family cohesion, meaningful progress in the society
Copyright (c) 2024 Oguaa Journal of Religion and Human Values
The Rewards of Hospitality: A Case Study of Gen 18:1-16a
Hospitality is a value ingrained in all human beings. Ghanaians love to practice hospitality and it is common to hear foreigners mention “Ghanaian Hospitality.” Unfortunately, this valuable gift seems to elude contemporary Ghanaians. The practice of hospitality has been taken advantage of by armed robbery, pretenders, and lazy people, so that a hospitable person becomes a victim of their attack. Instead of the rewards of hospitality, cheerful heart, smiles, joy, that perpetuates healthy life, sadness, grief, sorrow, sickness and sometimes death have become the result. Consequently, Ghanaians have become afraid and reluctant to practice this virtue. Engaging traditional Ewe wisdom with Gen 18:1-16a, the paper seeks to explore through exegetical and intercultural study the value of hospitality within the Ewe and the Hebrew cultures to propose a re-conversion towards ‘hospitality’ for contemporary Ghanaian Christians.
Neo-Prophetism and the Commercialisation of Religion in Ghana
Drawing on the commercialisation of religious items and services by Ghana’s neo-prophetic actors, this paper seeks to draw a relationship between existential insecurity, reliance on religion and associated abuses. The paper brings to the fore the factors that push religious followers to patronise the services of prophetic actors. It contends that a symbiotic dependence between prophetic actors and their followers in terms of what the paper identifies as religious dependence, opportunism and interdependency fuels and fans the commercialization of religion in the Ghanaian neo-prophetic Christianity. The paper also interrogates the ways in which the attempt to meet the demands of religious consumers yields itself to certain forms of violations and abuses. The paper does this via the qualitative approach to research with interviews and participant observation
Muslim Dress Code and Its Health Benefits
This article provided an overview of the history and benefits of Muslim dress code. It traced the origins and evolution of modest clothing styles prescribed in Islam and explored regional variations across Muslim majority cultures. Key benefits of adhering to Islamic dress standards around modesty are examined, including spiritual discipline, health aspects of loose fitting garments, and cultural identity affirmation. Common types of traditional Muslim attire such as hijāb, jalbāb and abāya are defined. The paper also looked at modern trends integrating Islamic dress principles with contemporary fashion design. Issues pertaining to social discussions on Muslim dress code in the context of religious freedom, cultural integration and stereotyping are critically analyzed.
A Christian Engagement and Interpretation of Ga Rites of Passage and the Kpelelogical Theological Method
The paper studies the dialogical relationship between the gospel and Ga rites of passage. There is a paradox in this relationship which only becomes meaningful only by considering its mediation through the person and works of Jesus Christ. This view allows a mutual critical approach which resolves the paradox of the initial rejection of Ga rites of passage by the gospel and their later acceptance after they have been transformed and preserved by the mystery of Christ. In this way, Ga rites of passage become useful in the light of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, while the gospel adds on to itself the contextual elements of Ga holistic existence. The paper looks at how this paradoxical relationship between Ga rites and the Christian gospel underlies the processes transforming the liturgy of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and helping to preserve important Ga traditions and culture in Christianity for of church and of society.
Christian Missions and Economic Empowerment of the People of Cross River State, Nigeria, 1885-1960
The nineteenth century Christian missionary activities in Cross River State as in other parts of Nigeria were mainly targeted at evangelisation of the people. Christianity has become the dominant religion in Cross River State and the people believe that it is a religion of civilisation and development. The resultant effect of different positions of some scholars is that colonialism has become a stigma for Christianity in contemporary times. To this extent, missionary work in Africa will continue to attract stringent and critical historical examination. It will however be intellectual dishonesty to write off the positive results of missionary work in Cross River State. This paper therefore, examines the contributions of missionary work in empowering the people of Cross River State from 1885 to 1960. The research adopted historic-structural approaches using primary and secondary sources. This includes qualitative interviews and books and journals. The findings of this research show that modern medical practise, theological education as well as education generally, skills acquisition, poverty alleviation and attention to the vulnerable such as children, orphans, widows, the sick and the elderly, through appropriate influence on negative traditions are some of the areas where missionary work has impacted positively on the people. It concludes that the Christian Missions contributed tremendously to the economic empowerment and enlightenment of the people of Cross River State of Nigeria.
Muslim Organizations and Colonialism in Africa
Muslim organizations have long played an important role in shaping African societies and cultures. Prior to the colonial era in the late 19th century, traditional Muslim institutions governed religious doctrine and practice, administered religious endowments and supported cultural and educational activities across the continent. However, the imposition of European colonial rule disrupted these indigenous structures and systems of authority. Colonial powers sought to undermine the influence of Muslim leaders and control how Islam was practiced. They imposed restrictions on many Muslim organizations and activities.In response, new reformist and revivalist movements emerged to defend Islamic identities and practices against colonial interference. Cultural and educational associations also grew to promote Muslim knowledge and identity. Some organizations began espousing early strains of anti-colonial nationalism. As African states gained independence in the mid-20th century, Muslim organizations regained legitimacy and restored many traditional institutions. New mass membership bodies emerged focused on social and political empowerment. Today, Muslim organizations play an active role in communities through education, social services and representing Muslim interests to governments, though debates continue around modernization, identities and the relationship between religion and politics.
A critical study of the translation of Mark 1:12 in the Dangme translation of the Bible
Bible translation from the Source Languages (SL) to Receptor Languages (RL) is not a straightforward exercise. The question is whether Bible translation involves interpretation. Using the mother-tongue biblical hermeneutics approach, this study sought to examine Mark 1:12 in the Dangme Bible, comparing it with the Greek. Its objective was to find out whether the translation of the Greek in Dangme kai euthus to pneuma auton ekballei eis tēn erēmon as Amlônôuuô, Mumi Klôuklôuô tsε eyi se kε ho nga a nôya (‘Immediately, The Holy Spirit pushed him by head from behind into the wilderness’) generates a new meaning. The study found out that the translation of ekballein into Dangme was a problem that confronted the translator; this was because the word implies a strong action. On the other hand, indigenous Dangme Bible readers did not understand how the Holy Spirit could “push” Jesus into the wilderness. It is being proposed that the translation of Mark 1:12 in the Dangme Bible should be Amlôô mi nôuuô, Mumiô ha nε e ho nga a nôya (Immediately the Spirit made him go into the wilderness). The study has thus added to the varied translations and interpretations of Mark 1:12.
Jonathan Edward Tetteh Kuwornu-Adjaottor
Copyright (c) 2023 Oguaa Journal of Religion and Human Values
Metaphorical mapping of civic and Christian responsibilities in Mark 12:13-17: Implications for petty traders and revenue collectors in Kumasi, Ghana
The article explores the meaning of Mark 12:13-17 in the light of the apparent contention between petty traders and revenue collectors in Kumasi. The philosophy behind the work is that while the meaning of the statement “render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” is ambiguous, it was able to challenge and provoke both parties (Herodians and Pharisees) to truly reflect their motives for accepting or rejecting taxation. In this study, the teaching of Jesus is taken as a metaphoric statement with the capacity to generate multiple meanings. The study uses the technique of Lakoff1 to map the attitudes of the Herodians and Pharisees unto revenue collectors and petty traders as supporters and rejecters of taxation respectively, and in dialogue with Jesus. In this way, the statement of Jesus becomes a double-edged sword inducing appropriate responses from each group. The study concludes that honesty in the sight of God should be the attitudes of both petty traders (in declaring their monthly returns) and revenue collectors (in their modus operandi) to avoid corruption so that they may both render what is due to God and to Caesar. The study recommends that revenue collectors and petty traders work as partners with common interest rather than as opponents to be defeated since they are both images of God and citizens of Ghana.
A religio-philosophical analysis of freewill and determinism in relation to the Yoruba perception of Ori
There is much debate regarding the seeming contradictions and ambivalence in the metaphysical concepts of freewill and determinism. Several interpretations have been given by various African philosophers on what freewill or determinism connote. In this regard, the traditional Yoruba conception of freewill and determinism is replete with contradictions by virtue of their perception of human destiny which is variously chosen by the people. This paper argues that the Yoruba have a two-sided conception of destiny, as something given and unalterable and yet alterable under certain circumstances and conditions. The conception of destiny appears problematic. On the other hand, the Yoruba are regarded as determinist but not fatalist. Thus, it could be argued that the Yoruba could be seen as both freewillers and determinists. It is in this perspective that this paper does a critique of freewill and determinism in relation to Yoruba perception of Ori using a philosophical methodology. Therefore, the paper offers and defends soft determinism as a better alternative to the causal explanatory paradigm among the Yoruba.
A review of the criticisms against Prophet Muhammad’s marriage with Zaynab Bint Jahsh
Since the 7th century, we have had criticisms of Prophet Mohammed for his preaching of monotheism by his non-Muslim Arab contemporaries and his discussions on Jewish Faith by Jewish Arabs. During the middle ages, various western and Byzantine Christian thinkers described the Middle East as a hotbed of sexuality and Prophet Muhammad‟s marriage came to be a focal point of criticism in biographical writings. Western critics such as William Montgomery Watt, Dermenghem, Washington Irving, Lammens, William Muir and Karen Armstrong considered Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) to be lustful in his marriage to his wives.His marriage with Zaynab bint Jahsh, more than others, attracted bitterer criticism. Unfortunately, the early Arabic sources relied upon by critics lack scientific. It is against this assertion that this paper re-examined existing literature on the issue and identified the relevance of the marriage to the contemporary time using a combination of historical and exegetical research methods. Historical method is necessary in this work because the author researched into works on biography to study the view of biographers on the personalities discussed. Exegetical works on the Qur‟an are also consulted to navigate the views of exegetes on the verses that relate to the subject matter. The aim of this work is to probe the authenticity of sources relied upon by critics and to relate the lessons in the marriage to the contemporary time. Findings show that the criticism of Prophet Muhammad‟s marriage to Zainab lacks objectivity and so requires a review for the sake of moral justice.
Yuroba witchcraft beliefs and their impact on the stability of Muslim marriages in Yorubaland
The history of Yorùbá belief in witchcraft is as old as the existence of the Yorùbá race itself. By naming the witch Ìyáàmi-Àjé̩ (my mother witch), the Yoruba betray their biased attribution of witchcraft to the feminine personality. Only women are witches. They are responsible for misfortunes, illness, poverty, untimely death, and inability to gain promotion at work, childlessness in women, impotence in men and many other evils in human societies. However, some witches are said to be Àjé̩-Funfun (white witches) who use their power for the betterment of their families. This belief is held not only by non-adherents of Islam in Yorùbá. Many Muslims also share this belief, which seems to impact negatively on their lives, most importantly on the stability of their marriages. Little wonder then that there are incessant cases of marital disputes caused by accusations and counter accusations by members of Muslim families of one bewitching the other. Often, these accusations occur between mothers and daughters-in-law or stepmothers and step daughters. The study, therefore, examines the impact of the belief in witchcraft on the stability of Muslim marriages in Yorubaland with the aim of proffering solutions from the Islamic point of view.
The role of culture and law in sustaining trokosi institution in southern Ghana
The study carefully examined trokosi—the keeping of virgins (henceforth referring always to girls and not boys) in traditional religious shrines in Ghana, using a shrine in Afife as a case study. The study tried to find out whether culture, including its primary constituent, religion, and law play any role in sustaining the trokosi institution in spite of efforts by the Ghana Government and human rights activists to eliminate it. The study used qualitative approach that involved in-depth interviews with key informants, local people, and observation. The primary data was supplemented by relevant secondary data. The research identified that trokosi as an institution persists because of its use of religio-cultural techniques such as social structuring and meaning. Other findings that sustain the institution include the overt endorsement of the religio-cultural institution by local and international human rights laws; government‘s inability to enforce criminal laws; government officials‘ and trokosi practitioners‘ fear of reprisals from the traditional god that is the basis of the institution; and indigenes‘ adamancy to preserve trokosi as a religio-cultural heritage even if it infringes on fundamental human rights of women and girls. The study is important because, among other things, it contributes to existing discourses on religious and cultural institutions and practices both locally and internationally.
Esau’s wives and the question of cross-ethnic marriage in Genesis
Esau‘s marriage to Hittite women has been explained by many as a wrongful act that placed him outside the chosen family. By this interpretation, commentators over the years have overtly and covertly endorsed ethnocentrism. As African readers, what are we to make of such interpretations, in the complex context of multiple ethnicities in Africa? In this paper, I interrogated the issue of crossethnic marriages in the Old Testament, using the case of Esau and his wives. Isolating three texts that focus on Esau‘s marriage (Gen 26:45, 27:46, and 28: 1-9), and using literary analysis, I read the texts in a way that suppresses the ethnocentric overtones of the narrative. This was achieved mainly through exploring the gaps within the narratives. My reading revealed that there was no explicit condemnation by the narrator of Esau’s marriage to Hittite women. It was also revealed that the behaviour of Esau’s wives towards their in-laws, not their ethnic background, was the source of strife. Since a poor management of the high ethnic and cultural diversities in African countries can lead to conflicts, African biblical scholars need to interrogate ethnocentric narratives through a constructive engagement with the Bible.
Biblical interpretation and the moral function of religion: Towards the building of a just and equitable society in Ghana
Christianity has become commonplace in Ghana today, but there is something unique about its realisation and expression. Among Ghanaian Christians, the Bible is applied as a document of faith and conduct in ways that pay minimal attention to the separation between religion and morality. This practice is like allegorical interpretation, which reads the Bible as a resource for learning about Christian religious values and how they influence what people do, how they live, and the effect of both on the development of an equal and just society. But naturally, allegory presupposes the age-old question about the moral function of religion generally, and, in this case, of the relationship between religion and morality in ‘Ghanaian Christianities’. This paper argues that biblical exegetes in Ghana can lead the way toward a more systematic reading of the Bible from a moral perspective in the complex context of contemporary Ghana and the pluralism of faith it represents. It is suggested that a fruitful fulfilment of this difficult task can contribute significantly towards building a just and equitable Ghanaian society.
Deuteronomy’s philanthropic stance against poverty: An advocacy for charity tithe in United Missionary Church of Africa, Ilorin
Poverty alleviation has been discussed extensively in economics and other disciplines. While theology has not been left out of the discourse, there has been little emphasis on the perspective of theological anthropology concerning poverty alleviation. This paper explores Deuteronomy’s philanthropic posture towards the poor from the perspective of theological anthropology and how such an anthropology is applied through the practice of tithing in the United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA) in Nigeria. The paper adopts the Kantian understanding of poverty and uses contextual analysis to interpret relevant biblical texts. Data from focused group discussions conducted in selected churches of UMCA, Ilorin, were also analysed. It was found that though the book of Deuteronomy is the ocentric, its narrative is intensely concerned with the liberation of humans, especially the weak in society. It was also established that UMCA models its practice of care for the poor on the tenets of the book of Deuteronomy; however, the church must also motivate its poor to aspire towards self-reliance. The paper concludes that tithing is a caritative measure that could be adopted towards effective poverty alleviation in UMCA.
Islamic/Arabic names and their implications for cultural identity in Ghana
This paper examines the implications of Islamic-naming and cultural identity from a multi-cultural perspective, using some Ghanaian experiences. This exploration is rooted in the contemporary social and religious transformation in the Ghanaian, particularly, Muslim societies. The activities of Muslim revivalists, who have sought to Islamise African societies at the expense of the indigenous culture and heritage, question the future of the African traditional worldview and heritage. More so, the rapid spread of Western education is accelerating the pace of globalisation, leading to further Westernisation of Muslim societies. Undoubtedly, the youth of today see themselves, more than ever before, as part of a new world order that is at variance with their indigenous traditions and values. This study explores how a Muslim could maintain an Islamic identity without an Arabic name, the cultural value of a name, and the role of cultural diversity with respect to names in Islam. Analysis of scriptural texts such as the Qur’an, Hadith, historical sources, and oral interviews revealed that the philosophy and process of naming new-born children in Ghanaian, particularly, Akan settings are not different from Islamic processes and motives of naming. The study also argues that the supposed “Islamic” names are more of Arabised racial identities which predate the advent of Islam. Thus, we conclude that, technically, “Islamic” names do not necessarily need to be in Arabic, but even when they do, they may still portray deep indigenous philosophical and religious beliefs.
Islamic prescriptions for cattle rearing: A complementary approach towards curbing farmer-herder clashes in Nigeria
The recurrence of violence across Nigeria is worrisome. Among the incidents are the clashes between Fulani Muslim herders and Christian farmers, especially in the middle belt and parts of southern Nigeria. Efforts of the government at curbing these clashes have not yielded desired results. Can religion (Islam) complement governmental interventions in the resolution of the problem? This paper focused on a historical and analytic exploration of this question. It was found that clashes were caused by the open grazing system of cattle rearing adopted by Fulani herdsmen. This system exposes cattle to dangers, destroys crops on farmlands, and causes collisions on roads/highways. It was also revealed that the non-adherence to Islamic prescriptions on animal welfare was an important additional factor. The paper posits that criminal activities such as rape, killing, and destruction of property alleged to have been committed by Fulani Muslim herders are condemnable and punishable by Islamic law. To achieve better results in the search for peaceful co-existence, it is recommended that the federal government and state administrations establish ranches and grazing reserves, implement the National Livestock Transformation Plan, and collaborate with religious leaders to motivate herders to keep Islamic laws of cattle rearing.
“To Fast or not to Fast”: Religious Diversity and Peaceful Coexistence in Ghana
During the 2021 Ramadan fasting, a controversy arose in the Wesley Girls‘ High School, Cape Coast that brought to the fore the need to deepen the discussions on religious diversity and accommodation of different faiths in Ghanaian public schools. The disagreement stemmed from the fact that the school prevented a Muslim girl from engaging in the annual Muslim Ramadan fasting, with the excuse that it would affect the health of the child. The school, which was built by the Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries, had the support of the Methodist Church. The Muslim groupings in Ghana felt that the attempt to stop the Muslim girl from fasting was an infringement on her religious right to practise her religion. This paper discusses this dispute in the light of the religious pluralistic society of Ghana. The paper argues that the schools which were founded by the Christian Mission and are now fully run by the state should not be used as a proselytising tool to prevent children of other faiths from practising their faiths. The paper concludes that if this action of the school is allowed to fester, it could lead to disturbances that may threaten the religious diversity and peaceful co-existence that Ghana currently enjoys.
Knowledge, Belief and Justification of the African Conception of Reincarnation
The study examines the epistemic justification of reincarnation in African Philosophy. It is also an attempt to investigate the problem of reincarnation and the belief in the ancestral world. It deploys the critical tool of epistemic justification to determine the conditions that render the African conception of reincarnation defensible. Epistemic justification is a philosophical theory aimed at investigating the extent to which a person’s beliefs are knowledge-based and therefore worth holding. The paper defends the thesis that African idea of reincarnation is justifiable and that belief in reincarnation can coexist with the belief in the ancestral world without contradiction. Humans are reborn and come back into this world several times until they have sufficiently paid for all their past misdeeds and purified themselves, before their souls are released to go to the ancestral world. A person’s destiny is never fulfilled in the first trip; hence a rebirth or reincarnation takes place to give the individual a succeeding chance or chances to fulfill his or her original destiny.
Copyright (c) 2022 Oguaa Journal of Religion and Human Values
Sustainable fishing in Ghana: Lessons from indigenous Akan fishing ethics
For many individuals in the Ghanaian culture, fishing is one of the activities that provide a source of income and nutrition. A lot has been written about fishing and its economic worth. Recently, there have been multiple complaints made by both the industry insiders and outsiders about various abuses and issues affecting the business. This has made many to wonder whether the fishing industry in Ghana is sustainable. Sustainable fishing has been a big issue of concern in Ghana. But what is sustainable fishing? Sustainable fishing, in this sense, is leaving enough fish in the ocean and other water bodies while simultaneously protecting ecosystems and endangered species. If the oceans and rivers are preserved, those who rely on fishing will be able to maintain their employment. This study investigates the phenomenon of Akan fishing ethicsas well as some of the lessons that may be learned from it in order to improve Ghana‟s fishing industry. Because some of the abuses and issues identified in the fishing sector are caused by domestic factors, this study believes that indigenous knowledge and practices on fishing can be used together with the modern means of fishing to address the apparent challenges in the fishing industry in Ghana.
The nexus between tithing and prosperity in United Missionary Church of Africa, Nigeria
Tithing, which refers to the practice of giving one-tenth of one‟s income or produce for religious purposes, is a prominent Judaeo-Christian pactice. Extant studies have focused more on the controversy surrounding the applicability of the Old Testament tithing law to Christians than its connection to the lived experience of tithers. Therefore, this study juxtaposes the practice of tithing with lived experiences of tithers in United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA), Northcentral Nigeria with a view to ascertaining the extent to which compliance to the tithing injunction elicits God‟s blessing. This enquiry becomes germane due to the emphasis of pro-tithing churches on the inevitable nexus between prosperity and tithing. In-depth interviews were conducted on 32 purposively selected pastors and deacons: eight from each of the four language-groups districts — English-speaking district (ESD), Nupe-speaking district (NSD), Yoruba-speaking district (YSD) and Hausa-speaking district (HSD) — of UMCA. Copies of a questionnaire were administered on 757 randomly selected church members across the four language-group districts. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis, while quantitative data were subjected to percentages. UMCA mmbers think of blessing attached to tithing largely as economic emancipation, health and security. However, the survey shows that occasional tithers experienced sickness: ESD (44.4%), NSD (54.3%), YSD (32.2%) and HSD (42.0%); financial difficulty: ESD (45.1%), NSD (78.3%), YSD (49.3%) and HSD (58.6%); and robbery: ESD (23.8%), NSD (16.0%), YSD (16.4%) and HSD (14.0%). Also, regular tithers avowed experiencing sickness: ESD (42.4%), NSD (77.9%), YSD (41.7%) and HSD (53.2%); financial difficulty: ESD (53.8%), NSD (95.4%), YSD (66.3%) and HSD (61.6%); and robbery: ESD (32.0%), NSD (27.7%), YSD (30.2%) and HSD (18.9%). Conversely, a good percentage of non-tithers claimed that they do not have such experiences in connection to defaulting in tithing; ESD (55.6%), NSD (66.7%), YSD (70.0%) and HSD (78.6%). The paper argues that a balanced teaching on material prosperity that does not give false hope and expectations to people should be re-emphasised among Christians generally and in UMCA specifically.
Mesopotamian reverberations in the genesis account of creation
The influence of Mesopotamia cannot be overemphasized in biblical studies especially as it concerns the study of creation story. This goes a long way to recognize some similarities between the Mesopotamia narratives and the biblical account. Most comparisons had been carried out between the Genesis narration and ancient creation narratives to the flood stories and the purpose is to discover the basis and to affirm the authenticity of biblical narration. This work therefore examines the „reechoing‟ role of the location known as Mesopotamia, and its place in historical narratives of creation stories and associated stories. The paper adopted thehistorical-critical method and textual analysis. The paper concluded that the biblical creation account and associated stories had their origin in the Mesopotamia and among the city-States that inhabited her prior to the emergence of biblical Israel.
Between conservatism and modernism in dacwahon radio: A study of Madrasatud Dalīlish Shariciy and Manhajuahlus Sunnah programmes in Ilorin, Nigeria
The exploration of electronic media, among other things, as a veritable tool through which the pristine messages of Islam are conveyed has not gone unrecognisedby contemporary scholars in Nigeria. However, the manner and style adopted by advocates on propagating slam differ and with this difference, the result of the act also differs This work comparatively studied two radio dacwah programmes in Ilorin; Madrasatud-dalīlish-shariciy and Manhajahlus Sunnahwaljamaca, with a view to identifying the impact of each of the two programmes on the masses. Giving the structural survey of selected episodes, the study is descriptive, and comparative in focus; therefore, the researchers adopted a combination of descriptive the comparative research methods. Findings of the work revealed that Manhajahlus Sunnahwaljamaca is largely satirical while Manhajdalilish-Sharica is academic. It is,however, recommended that the focus and locus of any dacwah activity should principally be both mild and academic. This, as a matter of fact, could be actualized by creating an institution that regulates dacwah conducts in every society.
Africa and the challenges of religious foundationalism: Thinking on Wole Soyinka’s option
The super-imposition of extraneous religious logic has caused serious problems in Africa. Though religion is a strong force to be reckoned with in national development, it has proved to be problematic in a nation like Nigeria. Dangerous fanaticisms, sectarian violence, violation of human rights are some of the problems that emanate from a wrong episteme of religion. Beyond this, there is a foundationalist epistemology where adherents of various denominations push up the epistemic capacity of their religion as the ultimate standard of religious rationality. This has polarized humanity to such an extent that religious inclinations form a basis for the definition and recognition of the being of others. If John shares the same faith with James, then James is considered a brother and a human, but if they share a different faith, the question of humanity and rationality automatically sets in. This paper critically explores the concept of religion, foundationalism and generates a philosophical discourse that can enhance a mindset of tolerance. It explores the view of Wole Soyinka in his essay, The Credo of Being and Nothingness and asserts that the humanistic value in the African Traditional Religion could be a template for other religions and a feature to be propagated.
Women, Religion and Health Policy in a Nigerian Community
Focusing in recent decades on the city of Ilorin, in Kwara State, southwest Nigeria, I propose to consider the interrelationships and tension between religious convictions and healthcare policy, as a case study for evaluating the status of women in the Nigerian polity. My resolve on this approach is informed by the pervasive religiosity of the Nigerian nation and by the minimal attention accorded religion in policy formation and Nigerian women. The correlation between philosophy and religion mandates the serious consideration of religion in policy formation and execution. One foremost example is the case of Kwara State’s health sector, especially noticeable in policies concerning child and maternal mortality. I intend to investigate the underlining principles among the people for certain practices that have presented serious challenges to health care policies and their implementation. While three major religions of Nigeria are adequately represented in Ilorin, Islam prevails over Christian and indigenous religions. Although the Islamic system of sharia is not practiced as the sole judicial system in Ilorin, Kwara State, the implications of sharia, which is practiced in conjunction with the civil justice system, for the status of women is apparent. An attempt will be made to proffer explanations and answers where applicable to critical questions. What is the role of religion in women’s identity formation? How does this role affect women’s status in the society and health programs in Nigeria e. g maternal and child health and education policies? How may an appreciation of the status of women in the religious sector affect their reception and utilization of official health policies? Are there mutual avenues that accommodate the religious identity of women and explicate health issues? How may religion serve as a prism for re-evaluating the state’s health care policy for women?
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