Africa and the Decolonisation of State-Religion Policies

Erscheinungsjahr 2021
ISBN: 978-90-04-44641-0
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, 76 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 154 g

Reihe: Brill Research Perspectives in International Law / Brill Research Perspectives in Comparative Discrimination Law

This book argues that a view has taken root in Africa, which equates state-secularism to the aggressive removal of religion from the public sphere or even state ambivalence towards religious affairs. This view arises from a misguided interpretation of the practice of state-secularism particularly in France, Turkey and the US, which understanding is ill-suited for the sub-Sahara Africa’s state-religion because the region boasts of at least three major religious traditions, African religion, Islam and Christianity, and blanket condemnation of public manifestation of religion or ambivalence towards it may offend the natural flourishing of this trinity and more. The contribution holds that most applications of state-secularism in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda favour the Christian faith, which during its tumultuous experiences in Europe survived the enlightenment, the reformation and like experiences socialised to co-exist with what are now called secular states. Additionally, due to the long history of Christendoms in Europe, Christian principles penetrated the colonial legal systems that were bequeathed to Africa at independence and the sustenance of the colonial legacy means that the Abrahamic faith has an upper hand in the state-religion relations’ contest. The obvious loser is African religion which has suffered major onslaughts since the colonial days.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Osogo Ambani, John

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Kultur Politik & Religion, Religionsfreiheit
• Rechtswissenschaften Ausländisches Recht Afrika (außer Südafrika)
• Rechtswissenschaften Internationales Recht und Europarecht Internationales Recht Internationale Menschen- und Minderheitenrechte, Kinderrechte
• Rechtswissenschaften Recht, Rechtswissenschaft Allgemein Rechtsvergleichung
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religion & Politik, Religionsfreiheit

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Africa and the Decolonisation of State-Religion Policies

John Osogo Ambani

Abstract

Keywords

Preface

Part 1: State-Religion Relations

Part 2: A Theoretical Framework for the African Triple Heritage

Part 3: African Case Studies in the Secular State Conundrum

Part 4: The Right to Freedom of Religion: Case Study of the Treatment of Religion in Educational Institutions

Part 5: Conclusion and Way Forward

Über Autor(innen)

J. Osogo Ambani, has a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) (2004) from the University of Nairobi, and Master of Laws (LLM) (2006) and Doctor of Laws (LLD) (2016) Degrees from the University of Pretoria. He is a Senior Lecturer at the Strathmore Law School and Editor-in-Chief, Strathmore Law Journal. He has published many articles, book chapters and books the latest one being: Between marriage and punishment: A triple heritage of regulating homosexuality in Africa in Herausgegeben von Uwe Kischel (ed) ‘Gleischheit als kulturelles phanomen’ (Mohr Siebeck, 2020).