‘The True and Scientific Religion’
A Christian Adaptation of Esotericism and Rejection of Materialism in Late Nineteenth-Century West Africa
In: Journal of Religion in AfricaSearch for other papers by Judith Bachmann in
Current site
Google Scholar
Abstract
A scientific worldview is taken to be a dominant factor of European secularity but peculiarly absent in Africa. Taking cues from the multiple secularities and global religious history approaches, the article uses global entanglements as a critical analytical tool to investigate the formation of our present, shared conditions, without essentializing cultural European/African differences. The core question is: Why, how and under which circumstances do people adapt global regimes of secularity, in this case particularly: global debates on religion and science? The article analyzes three lecture-transcripts, delivered by the West African intellectual John Augustus Abayomi Cole and printed in the West African newspaper Lagos Standard. In the context of Christian intellectuals in late nineteenth century West Africa, these lectures discussed African religion as congruent with science. This argument was possible through Abayomi Cole’s adaptation of esotericism, specifically its claim to true religion and science. Thereby, Abayomi Cole tried to negotiate independence from European missionary oversight.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
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| Abstract Views | 385 | 385 | 38 |
| Full Text Views | 14 | 14 | 3 |
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‘The True and Scientific Religion’
A Christian Adaptation of Esotericism and Rejection of Materialism in Late Nineteenth-Century West Africa
In: Journal of Religion in AfricaSearch for other papers by Judith Bachmann in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
A scientific worldview is taken to be a dominant factor of European secularity but peculiarly absent in Africa. Taking cues from the multiple secularities and global religious history approaches, the article uses global entanglements as a critical analytical tool to investigate the formation of our present, shared conditions, without essentializing cultural European/African differences. The core question is: Why, how and under which circumstances do people adapt global regimes of secularity, in this case particularly: global debates on religion and science? The article analyzes three lecture-transcripts, delivered by the West African intellectual John Augustus Abayomi Cole and printed in the West African newspaper Lagos Standard. In the context of Christian intellectuals in late nineteenth century West Africa, these lectures discussed African religion as congruent with science. This argument was possible through Abayomi Cole’s adaptation of esotericism, specifically its claim to true religion and science. Thereby, Abayomi Cole tried to negotiate independence from European missionary oversight.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 385 | 385 | 38 |
| Full Text Views | 14 | 14 | 3 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 42 | 42 | 7 |
