Wazua
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African traditional religion(s) and philosophy in a new world
Rank: Elder Joined: 3/19/2013 Posts: 2,552
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masukuma wrote:is there a point to this discussion? It defines everything in society.From what we find beautiful,our politics,our business,religion(and its interpretation),education,environment,entertainment.........Culture!
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Rank: Member Joined: 10/27/2010 Posts: 266 Location: Nairobi
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AlphDoti wrote:symbols wrote:tycho wrote:The Western brand of thinking can't contain the challenges of the present world, but the traditional African 'systems' have all the necessary ingredients for a peaceful and prosperous world, and universal brotherhood and freedom.
And sweeter still is that even the challenges outlined in the 'Laussane spirit' are so easy to surmount!
Freedom at last. What are these challenges? What is the western brand of thinking/culture and finally what the traditional african 'systems'? Below are some example problems the Western culture has failed to solve, include: (1). Problem of poverty (2). Problem alcoholism and drug abuse (3). Problem of excess women(4). Problem of prostitution (5). Problem of breakdown family unit (6). etc NOTE: To expound on "problem" of povertyYou know we have enough in the universe to feed whole humanity. Why people die of obesity in America? While some die of poverty in Somalia? Because of unequal distribution of wealth. Also removal of interest will help (because too much interest, means less in the hands of people) Is this why women are considered sub-human in many Islamic countries? Saudia-Women not allowed to drive Jordan-Brothers drowning sisters in swimming pools Taliban-The less said, the better.
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 11/15/2012 Posts: 1,110
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tycho wrote:The Western brand of thinking can't contain the challenges of the present world, but the traditional African 'systems' have all the necessary ingredients for a peaceful and prosperous world, and universal brotherhood and freedom.
And sweeter still is that even the challenges outlined in the 'Laussane spirit' are so easy to surmount!
Freedom at last.
This is a 'huge' generalisation. Deal with the specifics first.
What is the 'western brand of thinking'? The term 'religion' implies that a set of 'sects' or people agree on a set of beliefs. No one can claim that the 'western world' has a single 'religion' without deliberately leaving out pieces of evidence which contradict this notion.
"African traditional systems' is a misnomer. Yes, Africa is a continent. But with regards to beliefs, there is no universal set of 'beliefs' or 'systems' which could be classified as "African."
Think of the people in Egypt and the Bantu's in DR Congo. While the "Egyptians" largely believed in heavenly bodies as the source of spiritual power, the people in DR Congo believed that their 'gods' lived in the forest.
Nonetheless, each society, or set of communities, had their own 'way of life' which informed their 'behavior.' Colonization broke many of those 'ways of life.' Today, it's no longer about the community; it's about every individual for himself. But don't sit in silence 'praying' for the return of the "African ways of life." That's not coming back.
Many years ago, Chinua Achebe captured what you're mourning about in his famous novel " Things Fall Apart." Indeed, everything fell apart, and I don't see any come back within this generation. Live Full Die Empty - Les Brown.
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 10/9/2006 Posts: 1,502
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I'm Laughlin' it. work to prosper
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Rank: New-farer Joined: 6/12/2013 Posts: 69
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InnovateGuy wrote:tycho wrote:The Western brand of thinking can't contain the challenges of the present world, but the traditional African 'systems' have all the necessary ingredients for a peaceful and prosperous world, and universal brotherhood and freedom.
And sweeter still is that even the challenges outlined in the 'Laussane spirit' are so easy to surmount!
Freedom at last.
This is a 'huge' generalisation. Deal with the specifics first.
What is the 'western brand of thinking'? The term 'religion' implies that a set of 'sects' or people agree on a set of beliefs. No one can claim that the 'western world' has a single 'religion' without deliberately leaving out pieces of evidence which contradict this notion.
"African traditional systems' is a misnomer. Yes, Africa is a continent. But with regards to beliefs, there is no universal set of 'beliefs' or 'systems' which could be classified as "African."
Think of the people in Egypt and the Bantu's in DR Congo. While the "Egyptians" largely believed in heavenly bodies as the source of spiritual power, the people in DR Congo believed that their 'gods' lived in the forest.
Nonetheless, each society, or set of communities, had their own 'way of life' which informed their 'behavior.' Colonization broke many of those 'ways of life.' Today, it's no longer about the community; it's about every individual for himself. But don't sit in silence 'praying' for the return of the "African ways of life." That's not coming back.
Many years ago, Chinua Achebe captured what you're mourning about in his famous novel " Things Fall Apart." Indeed, everything fell apart, and I don't see any come back within this generation. Absolutely. Tycho should define these terms 'western brand of thinking', 'challenges of the present world' 'challenges' 'present world' 'traditional African systems' 'traditional' 'systems' 'ingredients' 'peaceful and prosperous world' 'universal brotherhood and freedom' Do they have a definition as used in his assertions? Some clarity so that readers get on the same page, with same meanings. Light, enlightenment, illumination is needed here, lol. Just for Mukiri.
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Rank: Elder Joined: 7/1/2011 Posts: 8,804 Location: Nairobi
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i_am_saved wrote:InnovateGuy wrote:tycho wrote:The Western brand of thinking can't contain the challenges of the present world, but the traditional African 'systems' have all the necessary ingredients for a peaceful and prosperous world, and universal brotherhood and freedom.
And sweeter still is that even the challenges outlined in the 'Laussane spirit' are so easy to surmount!
Freedom at last.
This is a 'huge' generalisation. Deal with the specifics first.
What is the 'western brand of thinking'? The term 'religion' implies that a set of 'sects' or people agree on a set of beliefs. No one can claim that the 'western world' has a single 'religion' without deliberately leaving out pieces of evidence which contradict this notion.
"African traditional systems' is a misnomer. Yes, Africa is a continent. But with regards to beliefs, there is no universal set of 'beliefs' or 'systems' which could be classified as "African."
Think of the people in Egypt and the Bantu's in DR Congo. While the "Egyptians" largely believed in heavenly bodies as the source of spiritual power, the people in DR Congo believed that their 'gods' lived in the forest.
Nonetheless, each society, or set of communities, had their own 'way of life' which informed their 'behavior.' Colonization broke many of those 'ways of life.' Today, it's no longer about the community; it's about every individual for himself. But don't sit in silence 'praying' for the return of the "African ways of life." That's not coming back.
Many years ago, Chinua Achebe captured what you're mourning about in his famous novel " Things Fall Apart." Indeed, everything fell apart, and I don't see any come back within this generation. Absolutely. Tycho should define these terms 'western brand of thinking', 'challenges of the present world' 'challenges' 'present world' 'traditional African systems' 'traditional' 'systems' 'ingredients' 'peaceful and prosperous world' 'universal brotherhood and freedom' Do they have a definition as used in his assertions? Some clarity so that readers get on the same page, with same meanings. Light, enlightenment, illumination is needed here, lol. By 'Western brand of thinking' I mean the world view, symbols and interactions, and relationships that were influenced by the Greek Philosophers and mystics, and whose evolution has been dominant in the geographical region known as 'Europe'. 'African traditional systems' are the Philosophy and mysticism of the African continent before the preponderance of 'Western' Philosophy. 'Present world' is the locus of the philosophical forces and their effects that are shared across the continents of planet earth. 'Challenges', are the threats and concerns on human life. 'Ingredients' are ideas, and customs, philosophies.
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Rank: Elder Joined: 7/1/2011 Posts: 8,804 Location: Nairobi
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symbols wrote:tycho wrote:The Western brand of thinking can't contain the challenges of the present world, but the traditional African 'systems' have all the necessary ingredients for a peaceful and prosperous world, and universal brotherhood and freedom.
And sweeter still is that even the challenges outlined in the 'Laussane spirit' are so easy to surmount!
Freedom at last. What are these challenges? What is the western brand of thinking/culture and finally what the traditional african 'systems'? The challenges are the concerns raised by humanity at this point in time like environmental degradation, war, the need for even distribution of wealth, exercise of basic freedoms, and changes in human spirituality.
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Rank: Elder Joined: 7/1/2011 Posts: 8,804 Location: Nairobi
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symbols wrote:I'm very curious to see how you will approach Egyptian religions and traditions. Going by accounts of Pythagoras learning from the Egyptians, or by Mosaic account, I approach the Egyptians as an enlightened people. And indeed, I find their essential Philosophy a good model for our discussion. For example their flexible yet authentic approach to the Supreme being, the lesser divinities, magic, and indeed their whole worldview would be of great help in a multicultural and greatly interconnected world. Besides, the traditional African has a Philosophy based on these ideas even at the present moment when contrasting ideas are regnant. The result has been a kind of stupefaction as the two worldviews contrast, and clash.
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Rank: New-farer Joined: 6/12/2013 Posts: 69
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You have shed light? 'western brand of thinking' Northern vs Southern Europeans. This distinction has been attributed to religion; Northerners more 'industrious' than the southerners. No northern country has so far needed bailout unlike several southern countries; the evidence cited. (There is no way to disprove this account.) Therefore which? northern vs southern worldview, symbols and interactions and relationships. 'African traditional systems' There are how many individual distinct African traditional systems? Each with aspects, philosophy, mysticism on its origins and consequent societal systems built upon that myth that also affected its relations +vely or -vely with the next system. So which one are you referring to. 'Present world' North Horr despite being on the same 'present world' as Manhattan, are also in 'different worlds'. So what is this 'present world' you speak of? 'challenges' the challenges in mutindwa that threaten and concern the individuals there are not the challenges in Hollywood. 'ingredients' philosophies are as varied as the thoughts they represent. so which one? So you see, please give an explicit definition of what you have in mind. You need to use similar definitions in all areas so as to talk about oranges with oranges. Just for Mukiri.
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 10/9/2006 Posts: 1,502
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Bored- right time for us atheists to start counting our loses while preparing for that thy eternal fire. Question is how hot will it be? Anybody? work to prosper
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